[NYer]

Always great questions!

[NYer]

A reader from the state of New York asked if it were correct that a deacon sit in the pew while his wife directed a service and distributed Communion.

Lol ... guess we know who wears the pants in that family.

[ninenot]

Following is the text of an email I sent to Fr McNamara this AM:

Fr. McNamara’s response to the question of pre-recorded music (ZENIT 2004-11-23) did not take into consideration the document issued by the Congregation of Rites on September 3, 1958. In that document, # 4(A)60(c), the Office states “Finally, only those musical instruments which are played by the personal action of the artist may be admitted to the sacred liturgy, and not those which are operated automatically or mechanically.”



This statement is clearly echoed in another instruction (which I cannot immediately find), explicitly forbidding the use of “wire recorders” or “mechanical tape recorders.”



There is a reason for this, of course. All of the documents on Liturgy emphatically repeat phrases centered on “participation,” which is simply not a property of a mechanical reproduction device. Nor, for that matter, is mechanical reproduction conducive to “participation” in worship by the congregation, for such reproduction is by its very nature that of a “concert.” More important, the purposes of sacred music are to 1) glorify God and 2) raise the minds and hearts of the Faithful to God. Using a tape recording or CD is simply not “glorification of God” in any real sense. Rather, it is “phoning it in.” God is not worshipped by or through CD players. I would argue further that utilization of mechanical music in a church at ANY time falls under the same guidelines.



The provision cited above has not been contradicted by any document on music or worship issued since the Second Vatican Council, and unless a Bishop or Conference of Bishops explicitly authorizes recorded music, the prohibition remains in force.



I respectfully urge Fr. McNamara to review the document cited above (and for that matter, Pius XII’s excellent Musicae Sacrae Disciplina) and consider a re-formulation of his response.

[murphE]

The priest at my former parish actually played Amy Grant on a boom box during mass, one of the reasons it is my 'former' parish.

[Luddite Patent Counsel]

This saddens me beyond words. Someone other than a priest "directing" a service and distributing communion? Taped "music" at a "funeral"? No wonder the New Order church is is such bad shape. I will keep you in my prayers.

[franky]

This past Sunday "The Lord of the Dance" was sung during reception of the Eucharist. I thought I was about to see Michael Flatley come down the aisle doing an Irish jig. The song is in the hymnal.

Lyrics that include "it's tough to have the Devil on your back" are not quite inspiring nor should they be sung during communion. The choir and the songs overpower you as you are trying to concentrate on devotion. MOF, it is suggested that light organ music be played during that period.

[ConservativeStLouisGuy]

Thanks so much for posting this! I always look forward to reading these columns by Fr. Edward McNamara....

[Salvation]

I just found this and was going to post the music part.

Good post.

We have a choir director who does use a lot of pre-recorded music. He has just been asked by our new priest to use "more" live music.