How refreshing to come across a musical director who isn't so full of themself that they think the Mass is about them instead of what it is.
Since I guess you were directing that comment at me, my heartfelt thanks. Obviously I am in favor of music at Holy Mass - of the most noble chracter, with plainchant as the preferred ideal.
I certainly agree that we praise God in song, and that our hearts and minds are lifted to god, and edified in song - or in listening to the performance of sacred music by a choir.
But the spiritual reality which I touched upon - which some hear seem to be tone deaf about.....is that God speaks to us in SILENCE. That is when there is real communication.
I have long suspected that - the blather of wannabe liturgists to the contrary - the reasons many pastors feel the overwhelming compursion to have nothing but constant music & singing - even at daily masses.....so that there are no more "low masses".....is that they are afraid of the silence. Afraid to let God speak in and through silence.
The pastor who has at least one Sunday mass in silence, and daily masses also as low masses without music is wise. There are souls who want and need this.
The soul learns in silence. The souls gains much in the wisom of the Holy Spirit in silence. It is for that reason that monastaries are knwn for period of silence - so that God can speak to the hearts of those who ae within its walls.
The observations which you have made are very good and valid ones. And I am sure you may understand what I am driving at.
But I am sure some twit is going to come back at me and post all manner of blather about "how good it is to sing", having (again) missed my point.
didnt St. Augustine say that singing is praying twice? Could somebody clear this up? I like your reply too thor.
But I am sure some twit is going to come back at me and post all manner of blather about "how good it is to sing", having (again) missed my point
* That's "Traditioanl Twit," partner :)
(d) The words of the quoted councils and of the pope imply a restoration of congregational singing through instruction in Gregorian chant, and therefore clearly refer to the strictly liturgical offices such as solemn or high Mass, Vespers, Benediction (after the Tantum Ergo has begun). Congregational singing at low Mass and at other services in the church, not strictly "liturgical" in ceremonial character, has always obtained, more or less, in our churches.