Why do so many dislike modern music in Mass?

[John9]

For me it’s about context. I love most forms of music in their place.

But I believe the mass is the most sacred, profound undertaking available to us in this life. It’s a sacrifice. Why would anyone think happy-clappy ditties would be appropriate there?

 

[Glennon_P]

I do not want to hear any modern music at mass or even in the church when mass is not happening. Only heavenly Gregorian chant should be sung.

No “Silent Night”, “Ave Maria”, “Immaculate Mary”, “Holy God We Praise Thy Name”, etc.???

 

[27lw]

Would you believe OP, that the Church actually teaches us what kind of music is fitting for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass?
Who has heard of something called the Graduale Romanum?
Did you know that all this stuff has already been figured out? There’s an official chant for every day, every part of the Mass?
It’s not about what you like, what I like, what any individual likes.
It’s just that your local priest, bishop, and music director ignore it.

Roman Gradual - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[ThomasMT]

No “Silent Night”, “Ave Maria”, “Immaculate Mary”, “Holy God We Praise Thy Name”, etc.???

To be fair, while these are in the vernacular, I’m not sure if they count as “modern.”

 

[c4csp]

This the problem. We need the church to have the most reverent liturgies as possible because we are dealing with the most holy thing on earth, the blessed sacrament. To draw reverence away from that in any way does not sit well with me.

 

[27lw]

The section on Catholic liturgical music is a good primer for the ignorant among us:

Liturgical music - Wikipedia

 

[Glennon_P]

To be fair, while these are in the vernacular, I’m not sure if they count as “modern.”

They were modern at one point. And the poster did say “only Gregorian Chant”, which would not include the songs I used as examples.

 

[27lw]

Why Praise and Worship Music is Praise, But Not Worship - Chant Café

 

[c4csp]

Vatican II said the changes allow for “participation” in responses and in song. What is the motivation though? Participation is humbling ourselves before the Lord asking for mercy and in deep prayer as Christ goes to Father on our behalf. 99% of Catholics receive eucharist and kneel then when Jesus is put back in tabernacle, they all sit. It appears to me 99% are putting in a poor effort of participation. We should be on our knees for 15 minutes after receiving eucharist. But I get it, people need to be dismissed from mass because they have more important things to do and God cannot take up that time from them. Again, where is the pointing towards God in that.

 

[otjm]

99% of Catholics receive eucharist and kneel then when Jesus is put back in tabernacle, they all sit. It appears to me 99% are putting in a poor effort of participation.

For your information, that is what everybody did in the 1950’s and early 1960’s in every parish where i went to Mass.

Apparently we were all wrong then too.

 

[Anicette]

If I am correct the Vatican II affirmed that the organ is the prefered liturgical instrument?

The modern hymnody we see in many Catholic Masses now is a very Protestant influence.

For eg, in french masses we have a Gloire à Dieu song that is popular, whose melody is borrowed to Amazing Grace.

Many of hymns and songs sung in the Mass were written post 1970 and can be quite vapid and devoid of any real content. Many of them focus more on us than on God.

I think of some songs have only one mention of “Jesus” or “God” in the chorus… The is only celebration of children or humanist values… I was very surprised sometimes by a song that seems almost completely secular or at best more appropriate for catechism. It happened for some masses for families.

 

[Irishmom2]

We should be on our knees for 15 minutes after receiving eucharist.

Where are you getting this from?

 

[c4csp]

For your information, that is what everybody did in the 1950’s and early 1960’s in every parish where i went to Mass.

Yes, and this is where more reverent change would be accepted.

 

[c4csp]

Where are you getting this from?

The real presence of Jesus in eucharist lasts for 15 minutes in our bodies.

 

[Irishmom2]

So why do you think then that all of the priests saying mass do not make everyone wait 15 minutes to conclude mass? Your comments make it sound like the parishioners are being purposely irreverent or something.

 

[c4csp]

I do not know but the change would be accepted because it would add reverence.

 

[SMHW]

CollegCatholic24, I do not think all that many people do prefer Latin chants over modern music. I think that there are just more of those such people that hang out in this (and some of the other) forums at Catholic Answers.

It is my personal option that most people like some of each. However the Liturgy and Sacraments forum tends to draw the type of people who have a special attraction to tradition (small t) which includes Latin chants.

I am personally acquainted with a number of Catholics who like, write, play, and/or sing modern music.

 

[otjm]

I do not know but the change would be accepted because it would add reverence.

No change will “add reverence”. Reverence i as reverence does; the fact that people sit down does not mean they are not being reverent, nor does it mean they are not praying. I understand that is how you feel, but feeling is an emotion. You seem to think that you can “create” reverence" or perhaps even “force” reverence if we were required to keep kneeling for tht 15 minutes.

Ever since I was a child in the 50’s and 60’s I ahve seen priests and monks sit after the Eucharist is reposed.

I simply disagree with you that we “need” to keep kneeling, or that we have checked out when we sit.

If you were in my parish and I saw you continuing to kneel while everyone else sat, it would not bother me in the slightest. Most likely I would be paying you no attention, as my attention is on prayer at that time; however I think you are bordering on being judgmental towards others.

And you are correct in your comment; you do not know.

 

[Lara]

The hardest thing for me is drums at Mass.

 

[PeterT]

Latin Gregorian chant is the Word of God set to melodies that enhance the word, not the performers or the composer. It gives it a special meditative quality that matches a given scripture verse to its mood (sad, glad, mysterious, etc.).

The next best thing would be vernacular chant that does the same thing. That bit, is a work in progress. The Simple English Propers is a good attempt. I’m not against vernacular music in Church. I am against vapid music, whatever the language and prefer a recited Mass to one with bad music. And rock? Forget it, that just grates.