Vatican says Mass norms must be followed exactly to ensure reverence

Catholic News Service ^ | April 23, 2004 | Cindy Wooden

[lrslattery]

I'll have to look and see what it said about music.

Very little, other than using the adjective 'sacred'.

[57.] It is the right of the community of Christ’s faithful that especially in the Sunday celebration there should customarily be true and suitable sacred music, and that there should always be an altar, vestments and sacred linens that are dignified, proper, and clean, in accordance with the norms.

And no music during the Eucharistic Prayer.

[Desdemona]

I read a lot of this and honestly, it's still a little too subjective. I do think, though, that this is a not so subtle message to the bishops to clean up their acts when it comes to Mass.

[Desdemona]

I read a lot of this and honestly, it's still a little too subjective. I do think, though, that this is a not so subtle message to the bishops to clean up their acts when it comes to Mass.

[Desdemona]

And no music during the Eucharistic Prayer.

This is the one that confuses me. I've heard it chanted. Does this mean that the modern Mass settings that have undercurrent background noise is to be eliminated, or that the Eucharistic Prayer must be said.

[Desdemona]

You get the idea that the next statement is going to have teeth. They've been getting increasingly stronger.

[lrslattery]

No. There are some places where people play 'background' music during the Eucharistic Prayer. This was prohibited years ago, yet some still insist on doing it.

[Investment Biker]

I have read the document and the replies on this forum. I must say that as of today I no longer consider myself Catholic. Maybe I never was despite 16 years of Catholic education, being married in the church, having my children educated at Catholic schools and universities.

Christ said "Do this in remembrance of me." As far as I can tell he did not set down a hundred rules at the same time. I am out of here. Let the flames begin...

[Fast Ed97]

the instruction did not ban liturgical dance; it did not mention dance at all.

How Unfortunate!

[Desdemona]

You are falling away over Mass norms? These are put in place for the good of the faith. This is the pinnacle of public prayer for us. What has been happening is that various bishops have been making a mockery of sanctity and this needs to stop. The fact that there aren't any teeth in this document is frustrating for everyone.

I will pray for your soul.

[Investment Biker]

I will pray for your soul.

I appreciate your thoughts. A very good friend of mine has a son that is studying to be a priest at Fransician University in Steubenville, Ohio ( a very conservative program). I have had the occasion to spent much time with this fine young man. Next time I see him and we are out together I will kid him and ask him if they brought back the selling of indulgences yet because I need some.

[ninenot]

Bet you can't name more than three colleges which offer a legitimate course in Sacred Music.

There's Catholic U., (at least ONE prof is very solid), Westminster in N.j. (not really a college, but close..)

and where next?

[ninenot]

Bet you can't name more than three colleges which offer a legitimate degree in Sacred Music in the USA.

There's Catholic U., (at least ONE prof is very solid).

and where next?

[ninenot]

Very little, other than using the adjective 'sacred'.

Makes me wonder whether this was an accident or not.

The term "sacred" music has a VERY specific meaning--and does NOT include hymns.

[ninenot]

Historically, playing music during the Canon was strongly discouraged. Thus, when the choir used, e.g., Mozart's "Coronation Mass," the priest WAITED until the end of the Sanctus to begin the Canon, and WAITED until the end of the Benedictus to begin the prayers following the Elevation.

Musicians as a group tend to think that continuous music is a good thing, which demonstrates that they are a bit dotty.

[ninenot]

His Holiness will sincerely consider sending in a Papal Legate. The Wanderer has been pushing this idea for quite some time. This office, by the way, is the same as a "Papal Terminator Unit" and has been used in the past....

With battle-axes and firewood aplenty, the TTGC stands ready to assist, vigorously.

[ArrogantBustard]

Beats me ...