What do you think about guitars during mass?

[Disciple96]

Why do you tune in and listen to these kinds of things?

It upsets you and there’s nothing you can do. It’s not your fight. So why do you keep asking for a punch in the face?
But then why criticize it? You did what the Lord asks and fulfilled your obligation. Just give it to Him. Just put up with it for that one week and next week, get back on track with whatever Mass you love and find uplifting, and be grateful that you don’t have to attend a Mass that doesn’t fit you.

benedictgal, you’ve described many times how even in your own parish, music that is not the best continues. You seem to spend your whole life fighting for the perfect Mass, yet you are not in any position of authority to be able to effect changes in abuses or deficiences in the Mass. I may be wrong, but it really doesn’t sound to me like you are a layperson with an “in” into the diocese that gives you a little bit of “power” to get things changed.

It sounds like you talk to priests and bishops and write letters and most of them keep brushing you off.

This must be extremely frustrating and discouraging. Why do you keep it up?
I know you don’t want to give up, and that you keep hoping that your struggle will make a difference someday. But in the meantime, why deliberately visit Masses that you KNOW will be bad?

I really don’t get it. When something upsets me, and there’s nothing I can do about it, I try not to go there. It’s not good for me.

But I think you’re fighting a battle that is not yours to fight.

I’ve wondered this about other people on this forum. It seems that the people who really despise the abuses the most are the ones who keep finding them. Then why don’t they stick with what’s safe? Or–if they continue to find abuses in EVERY Mass all over the world, then maybe??? they should consider that the Mass they’re looking for doesn’t really exist.

There are several reasons that I find this post disturbing. But the main one is the attempt to drive home the notion that this fight is not worth fighting and isn’t ours to fight anyway. And my answer to that is; Oh, really? Then whose? The Lord expects to stand up when we see abuse and say something about it. Stick with what is safe? How courageous. And the dig at benedictgal about her status or power in her diocese, really, that was simply an attempt to belittle her and trivialize this whole argument.

And I could turn this around and say to you: If liturgical abuses don’t bother you and/or if you don’t like reading about them, why do you read posts in threads like these? Why not stick to a subject that is safe or more to your liking? Why insult someone who is knowledgeable and is trying to do the right thing, the proper and devout thing? If you prefer to serve the Lord by sticking to what is safe, then, by all means, stick to that. And have the courtesy to allow others to wage the battle in your stead. You’ll benefit from it in the long run, whether you choose to engage in the battle yourself or not.

I could turn it around like that. But I won’t. It’s too petty and does nothing to foster the fraternal charity that we are supposed to practice toward each other. God bless you, Cat. May the peace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, be with you, now and always.

 

[pnewton]

And I could turn this around and say to you: If liturgical abuses don’t bother you and/or if you don’t like reading about them, why do you read posts in threads like these? Why not stick to a subject that is safe or more to your liking? Why insult someone who is knowledgeable and is trying to do the right thing, the proper and devout thing? If you prefer to serve the Lord by sticking to what is safe, then, by all means, stick to that. And have the courtesy to allow others to wage the battle in your stead. You’ll benefit from it in the long run, whether you choose to engage in the battle yourself or not.

I could turn it around like that. But I won’t. It’s too petty and does nothing to foster the fraternal charity that we are supposed to practice toward each other.

But you just** did** say it! I don’t think you were uncharitable or petty, but you did turn it around! It would be like telling a friend that I could tell them that they were fat, stupid and lazy, but I’m not going to say that because I’m a nice guy. You may be “knowledgable” but this is a classic.

 

[rubeng07]

Not a fan! I love the organ and the Schola Cantorum at my Church in Washington DC. When I return home to Chicago with my parents however, there are guitars and drums and it’s just not very nice. It’s not entirely easy to speak with God when there are drums banging in the background. In the words of our Pastor here in DC- you attend mass to pray not to be entertained. If you would prefer drums and guitars, perhaps a concert would be more fitting.

 

[Cat]

There are several reasons that I find this post disturbing. But the main one is the attempt to drive home the notion that this fight is not worth fighting and isn’t ours to fight anyway. And my answer to that is; Oh, really? Then whose? The Lord expects to stand up when we see abuse and say something about it. Stick with what is safe? How courageous. And the dig at benedictgal about her status or power in her diocese, really, that was simply an attempt to belittle her and trivialize this whole argument.

And I could turn this around and say to you: If liturgical abuses don’t bother you and/or if you don’t like reading about them, why do you read posts in threads like these? Why not stick to a subject that is safe or more to your liking? Why insult someone who is knowledgeable and is trying to do the right thing, the proper and devout thing? If you prefer to serve the Lord by sticking to what is safe, then, by all means, stick to that. And have the courtesy to allow others to wage the battle in your stead. You’ll benefit from it in the long run, whether you choose to engage in the battle yourself or not.

I could turn it around like that. But I won’t. It’s too petty and does nothing to foster the fraternal charity that we are supposed to practice toward each other. God bless you, Cat. May the peace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, be with you, now and always.

I’m interested in any subject that has to do with music because I play the piano at church. I’m not trolling for conflict. I’ve played piano in church since I was a child, and for this reason, I’m interested. OK?

I’m sorry if my comment about “power” in the diocese came across as insulting. I did not mean to insult. I’m only pointing out that there are some people who, for some reason, have more of a “voice” with the diocese. E.g., we have a family in our diocese who has adopted 17 children, and they’ve been written up in Readers’ Digest. They’re absolutely wonderful, and their kids are role models. All this gives them “name recognition,” and if they have a question for the diocese, I think it’s more likely that they will get an appointment then someone like me, who has absolutely nothing to offer and is a total nobody.

Other families that have a “voice” with the diocese are those who have produced several priests or religious.

And of course, those people who are long-time church musicians will have more of a “voice” than someone like me who has just become Catholic a few years ago, or someone who is not involved with playing an instrument or cantoring or singing in the choir.

I’m not saying anything against any of this. I think it’s very appropriate for someone who has given much to the Church to be given a little extra consideration when they call or write to ask a question or raise an objection.

That’s all I meant. I wasn’t trying to belittle benedictgal at all, and for all I know, she is one of those people in her diocese that is welcome to “bend the ear” of the bishop.

Disciple96, the Lord is a God of order, and according to the Bible and the Church, the Holy Spirit has given all of us spiritual gifts that we are to use to build up the Church. (See I Corinthians 12, Romans 12, Ephesians 4 or 5 (sorry, I can’t remember which chapter), and I Peter (again, sorry, I can’t remember the chapter and I’m at work).

In addition, He places men in positions of service in the Church, and also women have places of service in the Church.

We all have our work to do.

I think we get ourselves in trouble when we try to practice someone’s else’s spiritual gift, or move out of our “workplace” in the Church into someone else’s “workplace.”

There are people charged by God and the Church to care for the Liturgy. If we are not one of those people, I believe that our only responsibility is to call to their attention any errors or abuses, and then leave it with them. I think it is appropriate to have a grasp of what is abusive and what isn’t, but I am troubled by one who spends a great deal of time studying the documents and becoming an expert on “abuses” when one is not in a position in the Church where they can effect changes. I don’t understand this.

I think it would be better and more in keeping with the Bible and Church teachiing to allow others to do their work while I do mine, and to not constantly criticize others and spread dissention by telling fellow Christians that other people in the Church are not fulfilling their responsibilities. This undermines the entire Church, and causes those who are weak in the faith to doubt their leaders and the Church.

 

[Disciple96]

But you just** did** say it!

Hopefully you realize that I realized that I was, in fact, saying it. Hopefully. you do.

 

[Disciple96]

I’m interested in any subject that has to do with music because I play the piano at church. I’m not trolling for conflict. I’ve played piano in church since I was a child, and for this reason, I’m interested. OK?

…Snipped for space…

Interesting. You’re interested, so that’s okay. But so are other folks and we all have our own ways of proceeding, and, as you say further down in your reply, we all have been given different gifts and the Lord gives us our own work to do. How is it that you seem to know what work He has assigned to benedictgal or, for that matter, to anyone else? Perhaps if you do not feel called to work for liturgical reform, then you are, perhaps, not called to it. Perhaps. I dunno. I’m not claiming to know.

But, if you’ll permit me to say so, it sounds to me like you have some anger, some resentment toward persons in your diocese. Sounds like you’re reading a bit of that situation into what other people have posted here and it hit a nerve somehow. I dunno, just seems that way to me. Perhaps you have noticed situations like the ones you mentioned, maybe it really is that way. But what has that got to do with benedictgal or what she was saying? Sounds like some steam was seeking to escape and escape it did. That’s all I’m saying.

You have a right to your opinion. Everybody else has a right to theirs too. Yay for opinions. Now back to the topic, which is, as I recall, what do you think about guitars at Mass, not what do you think about people who like or don’t like guitars at Mass.

 

[Cat]

Interesting. You’re interested, so that’s okay. But so are other folks and we all have our own ways of proceeding, and, as you say further down in your reply, we all have been given different gifts and the Lord gives us our own work to do. How is it that you seem to know what work He has assigned to benedictgal or, for that matter, to anyone else? Perhaps if you do not feel called to work for liturgical reform, then you are, perhaps, not called to it. Perhaps. I dunno. I’m not claiming to know.

But, if you’ll permit me to say so, it sounds to me like you have some anger, some resentment toward persons in your diocese. Sounds like you’re reading a bit of that situation into what other people have posted here and it hit a nerve somehow. I dunno, just seems that way to me. Perhaps you have noticed situations like the ones you mentioned, maybe it really is that way. But what has that got to do with benedictgal or what she was saying? Sounds like some steam was seeking to escape and escape it did. That’s all I’m saying.

You have a right to your opinion. Everybody else has a right to theirs too. Yay for opinions. Now back to the topic, which is, as I recall, what do you think about guitars at Mass, not what do you think about people who like or don’t like guitars at Mass.

No resentment or anger or steam at all. None whatsoever. I am incredibly happy as a Catholic and very blessed to live in the diocese where I am. Great bishop (the best, IMO–I used to love listening to him while I was still Protestant), great priests, great people. My husband made a “button” for the RCIA class–“It’s great to be Catholic!” (One of our priests says that all the time.)

As for knowing what benedictgal’s “work” is, you’re right, I don’t know specifically. I’m basing my comments in this thread on past posts of hers, in which she describes attempts to purify the liturgy that seem to fall on deaf ears. This tells me that she is not in a position where she is able to make those changes herself, but must appeal to others in authority.

Yes, as Catholics, we are all responsible to help safeguard the liturgy. The question is, how far do we take that? You’re probably right, this question belongs in another thread–“How much time and effort should a Catholic put into study of the GIRM and the rubrics?”

If I haven’t stated it already, I’ll say it again–“what do you think about guitars during Mass?” Certainly everyone is entitled to their opinion, but as far as I can tell, there is absolutely no prohibition by the Catholic Church on guitars in Mass. In some parishes, they are the only instrumental music available.

 

[benedictgal]

No resentment or anger or steam at all. None whatsoever. I am incredibly happy as a Catholic and very blessed to live in the diocese where I am. Great bishop (the best, IMO–I used to love listening to him while I was still Protestant), great priests, great people. My husband made a “button” for the RCIA class–“It’s great to be Catholic!” (One of our priests says that all the time.)

As for knowing what benedictgal’s “work” is, you’re right, I don’t know specifically. I’m basing my comments in this thread on past posts of hers, in which she describes attempts to purify the liturgy that seem to fall on deaf ears. This tells me that she is not in a position where she is able to make those changes herself, but must appeal to others in authority.

Yes, as Catholics, we are all responsible to help safeguard the liturgy. The question is, how far do we take that? You’re probably right, this question belongs in another thread–“How much time and effort should a Catholic put into study of the GIRM and the rubrics?”

If I haven’t stated it already, I’ll say it again–“what do you think about guitars during Mass?” Certainly everyone is entitled to their opinion, but as far as I can tell, there is absolutely no prohibition by the Catholic Church on guitars in Mass. In some parishes, they are the only instrumental music available.

While there is no prohibition, it’s not the most strongly recommended musical instrument. The organ is actually the only instrument cited in the authoritative documents of the Holy See. While pianos and guitars could be admitted, there has to be a “smell” test, or, in this case, a “sound” test to ensure that their profane nature has been purified to the extent possible to admit it into use.

Cat, you do not know me, nor do you know the extent of my involvement in my diocese nor in the parishes I have served. While you may think that what I am doing is a “lost cause”; no cause is truly lost if it is worth the fight and the price. Yes, there is a huge dearth in my diocese regarding quality, Sacred Music. In fact, my own parish suffers from this malady. My parochial vicar does not necessarily agree with a lot of what is done here, and in the parishes where he has substituted.

In many of your posts, you cite “obedience”. With all due respect, one can only play that card so many times. Obedience flows both ways. We are required to obey the bishop in faith and morals, but, he, too, is required to obey the Holy See. Bishops are not islands. Their first and most important duty is to be faithful stewards of the liturgy, the Church’s greatest prayer. If they fail at that, then everything else is for naught, as the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is the source and summit of our life as a Church.

Esteban could come and play guitar during the Mass. Eddie Van Halen could come and play guitar during the Mass. The late Les Paul could come and play guitar for the Mass. But, are their particular genres at all suitable for the Mass? Are their styles at all conducive to prayerful, solemn and dignified worship, as called for in the authoritative documents of the Holy See? I would think not.

 

[Disciple96]

***Quoted from Cat’s reply above: ***
Yes, as Catholics, we are all responsible to help safeguard the liturgy. The question is, how far do we take that? You’re probably right, this question belongs in another thread–“How much time and effort should a Catholic put into study of the GIRM and the rubrics?”

For the record, I don’t recall saying that this question belonged in another thread. I believe, however, that you bring up a point that I would like to reflect on.

As a fellow former Protestant and convert and also one who has been responsible if in a somewhat limited way, for the music in the liturgy, I can safely say that it took me years to really begin to understand the meaning of worship in a truly Catholic sense. (I loved it, of course, but I’m talking about understanding it and also the difference between it and Protestant worship of any kind.) The study of liturgical music is much more than being able to play the music. (And I am *not *implying that you don’t know that. I am implying, however, that most people, in my experience, involved in parish music do not know that, or at least certainly don’t seem to.) It actually does involve learning what music is appropriate and what music is absolutely not appropriate. It requires some knowledge of Catholic theology. Sadly, most people responsible for music in the liturgy in the parishes I’ve visited over the years have never even heard of liturgical music and certainly have never studied it. They probably would think that the GIRM is something that might be contagious and would stay far from it even if they had heard of it.

Liturgy is worth our effort at doing it right. Because it is precisely the liturgy that is what we do as Catholics. It is what we do. It is not something incidental to being Catholic. It is how we go about being Catholic. It’s what God does too. We join with the Trinity and all the angels and saints in heaven at every liturgy. So you can see that offering sloppy or inappropriate worship is not a small problem that can be safely ignored. We cannot simply look (or listen) the other way. I dress appropriately, I don’t wear cutoff jeans or shorts to Mass, and I don’t want to insult my Lord with inappropriate secular-sounding music or, what is at least as bad, songs with lyrics that contain non-Catholic theology, which I’ve heard so many times at Mass I can’t even begin to count them.

Music in the liturgy is there for a reason to fulfill a purpose, which purpose is not to entertain or give the laity something to do so that they can “actively participate” (which is yet another thing that has been sadly misunderstood over the years). The decorum (or lack thereof) contributes to the prayerfulness (or lack thereof) of the Body of Christ as we unite with Christ our Head during the most important thing we do in our entire lives: Offer ourselves along with the priest as he offers Christ in union with Christ as He offers Himself in the heavenly liturgy. How dare we offer sloppy secular songs to our heavenly King?

Of course, it does give us something else to offer up as we kneel before our Lord, uniting ourselves to His suffering on the Cross. And I have begun to simply not sing the songs that are blatantly at odds with Catholic doctrine. And I am fairly certain that the ones who choose those songs don’t do it on purpose. They have probably never been taught any better. How will they know if no one bothers to teach them?

Personally, I think everyone responsible for parish liturgy should read the GIRM and other material too (such as Pope Benedict’s Spirit of the Liturgy, writings of Cardinal Arinze, Scott Hahn’s Lamb’s Supper and also his Letter & Spirit). Then perhaps we wouldn’t even be having this discussion because we would all be so filled with awe at Mass that it wouldn’t even enter our minds to enter the Lord’s Presence with anything less than deep and sincere respect and reverence. And our music would reflect that respect and reverence too.

GIRM in html - GIRM in pdf

 

[redroses098]

Without going through the 80+ posts, I’ll just sneak in and put in my own oh’ two cents. I don’t have any problems with guitars are other modern instruments as long as the music preserves some sense of reverence in the mass.

Our noon mass on Sundays is now an unofficial teen mass with very loud teen rock group with electric guitars, drums, piano, and every other thing all going at once at top volume. They even sing “Our God is an awesome God” instead of Hallelujah before the gospel is read. :doh2: Luckily we have 3 other perfectly traditional masses plus an exquisite vigil mass to choose from. So I won’t complain…to them.

 

[pnewton]

Hopefully you realize that I realized that I was, in fact, saying it. Hopefully. you do.

I missed that subtlety.

 

[Ailina]

I am a big fan of the organ. I feel this is a very good way to celebrate the mass. I wish the organist at my Church would play it more instead of the piano.

What do you think about pianos, guitars, and etc. in place of the organ?

Could anyone see these instruments as dangerous?

Some opinions that I have heard is that the guitar symbolizes a sinful musical genre (rock-and-roll) and the instrument is simply not reverent enough. I personally cannot see any problem with using these for worship as long as the tabernacle is not in the same room!!!

God Bless

Well…I know for a fact that organs didn’t exist in Jesus’ day on earth, so why that particular instrument would be considered more appropriate and holy is beyond me. I don’t particularly like organ music at all, and prefer the piano.

I like guitar music, and have a son who plays guitar for hours every day. He loves music and finds it a way to express himself. He can take it with him anywhere, which makes it a versatile instrument, more so than an organ (or piano, for that matter).

I see nothing wrong with modern liturgical music. I see nothing wrong with most secular music either. All music was “new” at some time or other, including organ music and gregorian chants. Should we become like the Taliban in Afghanistan, when it banned music because it considered it evil?

 

[ledwith]

I have no problem with guitars during mass.allmost on all ocassions that i have experienced them,they were appropiate for the congregation attending.I believe that our priests are well informed and can make this judgement .
Mass is mass.
when i am distracted because of sound (usually nothing to do with instruments)or find myself irritated ,It is me that needs to look at myself.I dont like doing this.

Any day we get mass,we are blessed.
Keeep strumming in joy to the Lord.
God bless all.

 

[MetalMark]

The instruments used at Mass are purely custom. I have heard beautiful, appropriate guitar at Mass, and I have heard lame strummy stuff. It depends on a lot of things.
The Mass where Silent Night (Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht) was first played was a guitar mass because mice had eaten the organ.

Any instrument is allowable at Mass if it is done reverently.

 

[Disciple96]

I missed that subtlety.

 

[MetalMark]

Some opinions that I have heard is that the guitar symbolizes a sinful musical genre (rock-and-roll) and the instrument is simply not reverent enough.

The guitar existed centuries before rock did, and no musical genre is “sinful.”

When it comes down to personal preference, I prefer a capella. The human voice is hard to match in its beauty.

 

[Disciple96]

The instruments used at Mass are purely custom. I have heard beautiful, appropriate guitar at Mass, and I have heard lame strummy stuff. It depends on a lot of things.
The Mass where Silent Night (Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht) was first played was a guitar mass because mice had eaten the organ.

Any instrument is allowable at Mass if it is done reverently.

Good points. I think we do need to listen to what the Church says about it, but that said, I have heard beautiful guitar music.

I just don’t often hear it at Mass. What I usually hear is awful. Truly unbelievably awful. And the poor priest is obviously unwilling to take any more heat for trying to change things. I don’t really blame him, how much can one person take? He’s got his hands full shepherding. I think laity should help the priest, not make it harder on him, and this is why I think liturgical music directors and liturgical musicians should learn about this stuff.

And I still think that there is a huge number of people who volunteer themselves for this service who do not volunteer to educate themselves. Sigh. It’s the same with catechists, but don’t get me started on that. Oh, plenty to offer up at Mass and at prayer, more than plenty!

 

[FrancisB]

I love the guitar and the piano, and I play both. I am a trained musician with a master’s degree in music. As part of my master’s degree, I did a study of the writings of the Vatican (papal, conciliar, and curial) about music. The answer to this whole discussion, as has been pointed out several times, is not a matter of preference. The guitar and the piano were both forbidden in the mass. Nothing ever changed that. The fact that statutes were ignored does not make them invalid or no longer binding. I shall quote here from a 1903 motu proprio by Pope St. Pius X (and please do not misunderstand my invoking his venerable name to indicate any association with the fringe group who uses; I am in full acceptance of the Second Vatican Council and the Mass of Paul VI, when it is said according to the rubrics). The document is entitled “Tra le Sollecitudini” and it says:

“2. Sacred music should consequently possess, in the highest degree, the qualities proper to the liturgy, and in particular sanctity and goodness of form, which will spontaneously produce the final quality of universality. **It must be holy, and must, therefore, exclude all profanity not only in itself, but in the manner in which it is presented by those who execute it.**It must be true art, for otherwise it will be impossible for it to exercise on the minds of those who listen to it that efficacy which the Church aims at obtaining in admitting into her liturgy the art of musical sounds.”

It continues, later

“VI. Organ and instruments
15. Although the music proper to the Church is purely vocal music, music with the accompaniment of the organ is also permitted. In some special cases, within due limits and with proper safeguards, other instruments may be allowed, but never without the special permission of the Ordinary, according to prescriptions of the Caeremoniale Episcoporum. 16. As the singing should always have the principal place, the organ or other instruments should merely sustain and never oppress it…
18. The sound of the organ as an accompaniment to the chant in preludes, interludes, and the like must be not only governed by the special nature of the instrument, but must participate in all the qualities proper to sacred music as above enumerated. **19. The employment of the piano is forbidden in church, as is also that of noisy or frivolous instruments such as drums, cymbals, bells and the like.**20. It is strictly forbidden to have bands play in church, and only in special cases with the consent of the Ordinary will it be permissible to admit wind instruments, limited in number, judiciously used, and proportioned to the size of the place provided the composition and accompaniment be written in grave and suitable style, and conform in all respects to that proper to the organ…”

Now certainly the document predates the council, but Musicam Sacram (quoted earlier in the thread and issued under the reign of the same Pope Paul VI who promulgated the mass) clearly reiterates the same points. The missives of the motu proprio were never condemned or altered by subsequent popes, but were consistently upheld, so I gather that they must be in effect to this day.

The piano and percussion instruments are forbidden by name. Neither I nor anyone else has to debate whether or not they are allowed; they are expressly forbidden. I have heard the piano and other forms of percussion throughout the mass far too many times to count, but they are not now, nor were they allowed, no matter how much you like them or hate them.

As for the guitar, it is always a harder matter. St. Pius X prohibits “profanity not only in itself, but in the manner in which it is presented by those who execute it.” The Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship writes in Musicam Sacram: “However, those instruments which are, by common opinion and use, suitable for secular music only, are to be altogether prohibited from every liturgical celebration and from popular devotions.” Both of these send the same message, as far as I read them: anything that belongs to secular music–and not that is not the same as popular music; the banjo, the accordion, and the tin whistle all seem equally as applicable–is forbidden at the mass. That begs the question: is the guitar suitable for “secular music only”? And, when you search your heads, you’ll be hard pressed to find examples of sacred guitar music. Sure, there was “Stille Nacht” (“Silent Night”), but that was a unique circumstance. What else is there? The guitar was created for folk music, adopted by classical music for use in the courts of Western Europe, used for a lot of dance music of many genres, none of which was sacred, and then brought into Jazz and then the other American Popular music styles.

Inside your hearts, I’m sure you all know the guitar is a secular instrument. I don’t really have to make the argument. It’s not about whether or not you like the guitar, piano, etc. It’s not about how much you love the organ. The question really shouldn’t even be “What do you think about guitars during mass.” We are Catholic, and we are obedient. They’re just not supposed to be there, no matter how good hearted and talented the musicians are.

Now if you’d like to send them to me, I’d be happy to teach them all to chant.

 

[Disciple96]

FrancisB: Inside your hearts, I’m sure you all know the guitar is a secular instrument. I don’t really have to make the argument. It’s not about whether or not you like the guitar, piano, etc. It’s not about how much you love the organ. The question really shouldn’t even be “What do you think about guitars during mass.” We are Catholic, and we are obedient. They’re just not supposed to be there, no matter how good hearted and talented the musicians are.

Now if you’d like to send them to me, I’d be happy to teach them all to chant.

Touché!* You’re right. And I’d love to learn to chant, btw. So here I am, first in line. Teach away.

 

[pnewton]

Now certainly the document predates the council, but Musicam Sacram (quoted earlier in the thread and issued under the reign of the same Pope Paul VI who promulgated the mass) clearly reiterates the same points.

The same principles are upheld. Yet, the latter Church documents do not mention instruments specifically by name. Rather the Church allows the principle of subsidiarity to guide the judgment of those who best know each culture, the local bishop. Today’s culture is not the same as it was in 1903 and papal authority on such disciplinary issues ends with his death and is passed on to the next in line. If my bishop or the Church specifies such changes, then I would surely be willing to follow that. In fact, it would take a great burden off of me. Until then, I have to do what I have to do.