Society for a Moratorium on the Music of Marty Haugen and David Haas
I must say I am entirely in sympathy with the Movement . . .
Posted on 07/24/2005 12:14:02 PM PDT by NYer
Working Paper Suggests Return to More Prayerful Hymns
VATICAN CITY, JULY 22, 2005 (Zenit.org).- The working paper of the next Synod of Bishops suggests that "songs used at present" in the liturgy should "be reconsidered."
The proposal appears in No. 60 of the working document for the assembly of bishops from all over the world, which will be held Oct. 2-23 in Rome, on the theme "The Eucharist: Source and Summit of the Life and Mission of the Church."
Based on responses from dioceses, religious and the laity to a questionnaire, the text acknowledges in No. 61 that "to enter into sacred or religious usage, instrumental or vocal music is to have a sense of prayer, dignity and beauty."
In the liturgy, music must have "integrity of form, expressing true artistry, corresponding to the various rites and capable of adaptation to the legitimate demands of inculturation, … without detracting from the idea of universality," the document states.
The working paper, published July 7, outlines the topics that the bishops will discuss during the assembly.
In connection with the question of liturgical singing, the paper states that "musicians and poets should be encouraged to compose new hymns, according to liturgical standards, which contain authentic catechetical teaching on the paschal mystery, Sunday and the Eucharist."
Gregorian chant
In particular, the document suggests the rediscovery of Gregorian chant, as it "fulfills these needs" and, therefore, can "serve as a model," quoting Pope John Paul II.
In No. 61, the text states that in the responses to the questionnaire with which they concluded the synod's first preparatory text, "some lamented the poor quality of translations of liturgical texts and many musical texts in current languages, maintaining that they lacked beauty and were sometimes theologically unclear, thereby contributing to a weakening of Church teaching and to a misunderstanding of prayer."
The paper refers in particular to youth Masses, stressing the need "to avoid musical forms which, because of their profane use, are not conducive to prayer."
"Some responses," it adds, "note a certain eagerness in composing new songs, to the point of almost yielding to a consumer mentality, showing little concern for the quality of the music and text, and easily overlooking the artistic patrimony which has been theologically and musically effective in the Church's liturgy."
Society for a Moratorium on the Music of Marty Haugen and David Haas
I must say I am entirely in sympathy with the Movement . . .
The only one I've ever heard is Shepherd me O Lord. Not bad, not great.
It's a steady diet that's objectionable -- because they all sound alike.
The only one I've ever heard is Shepherd me O Lord. Not bad, not great.
That was always one of my favorites. Following 9/11, the Memorial Service of one victim was televised and that was one of the hymns they sang. While dealing with liturgical abuse in my previous parish, it was that hymn that gave me the strength to pursue the course of action necessary to stop it. Not Palestrina but inspirational all the same.
I pay attention to the words when I sing, not the tune per se. Singing is just praying with rhythm.
I have bigger things to worry about than the music in my church.
When I'm perfect inside, I'll worry about my church's music. Not really a big deal to me. I have about 10 minutes to my name a day (tonight I'm here, folding laundry LOL!). Music will have to wait for my retirement!
Please, please, please, please, please...
That said, BXVI has already made an impact on my formerly wretched part of North Florida. I'm not sure exactly what has happened, but all of a sudden clergy around here who had been happily doing the Mass of Cremation (aka, the Marty Haugen "Mass of Creation") are scouting about for chant and organists.
If it's gotten to North Florida, you know it's serious!
LOL! Just sent the revised lyrics to a family member who is a church musician.
From that Haugen/Haas site:
Gather Us In
Here in this place, a bad song is starting,
Now will the altar turn into a stage.
All that is holy is slowly departing,
Making a way for the coming New Age.
Gather us in, though we are like captives.
But to miss Mass on Sunday, that would be wrong.
But Lord hear our plea, regarding M. Haugen:
Give him the courage to put down that bong.
Dear Father Smith make a beeline procession,
Run if you have to, make it real terse.
If you can start this Mass very quickly,
Maybe we'll only have to sing but one verse.
O Dear Lord Jesus, You are the Savior
We've promised to follow, whatever the cost.
But we didn't know this song had been written:
Would you terribly mind if we came off our cross?
I'm sorry that you feel that "singing is just praying with rhythm." It's really a lot more complicated than that.
MUSICAM SACRAM
Congregation for Divine Worship
---------------------INSTRUCTION ON MUSIC IN THE LITURGY
Sacred Congregation of Rites5 March, 1967
. . . .
I. Some General Norms
5. Liturgical worship is given a more noble form when it is celebrated in song, with the ministers of each degree fulfilling their ministry and the people participating in it.
Indeed, through this form, prayer is expressed in a more attractive way, the mystery of the liturgy, with its hierarchical and community nature, is more openly shown, the unity of hearts is more profoundly achieved by the union of voices, minds are more easily raised to heavenly things by the beauty of the sacred rites, and the whole celebration more clearly prefigures that heavenly liturgy which is enacted in the holy city of Jerusalem.
Livius, pinging you to Post 29 . . . something else to send along!
No, it's really just praying to me. I can't get my knickers in a twist about this.
God wants us to pray. If we are going to agonize about the "right" music, then I want no part of this church. This is just a power struggle among people. If God is going to send me to Hell because I don't listen to Gregorian Chants at Mass, then he's missing some much bigger stuff.
Bad music, by and large, brings "pop" idioms and thus secular music into the liturgy. That diverts people's minds from the holy to the mundane. That's what the General Norms in the Instructions on Music in the Liturgy are talking about. (You don't think they are making it up, do you?)
I think musicians notice this more (and sooner) than non-musicians. But the effect on the general attitude in the sanctuary is noticeable. . . . where you have schlock-pop music, other abuses follow. It's not a question of going to hell if you don't sing Gregorian Chant . . . it's a question of where your and everyone else's head is going to be at if you're listening to elevator music.
My head isn't in a different place whether we are at the Mass with the "modern" music or when it's just one old lady leading a shaky hymn or when it's the elegant Christmas Mass with full orchestra. I'm in Mass, so my head is in Mass.
Marty Haugen is a Lutheran.
I know because he got his start at my church in Bloomington, Minnesota as the music director in the 70's. He taught CCD classes. But he never converted to Catholicism while employed there. I'm not sure if he ever converted.
Most of the Marty Haugen songs were introduced before Mass at St. Boneventure. He would have the parish practice just before the entrance hymn started
Even as a teenager, I thought the arrangement had an uncomfortable "wolf in sheep's clothing" feel to it. He was a talented writer, but it didn't seem right that he was writing for the Catholic church as a Lutheran.
You are very fortunate, and perhaps more devoted than the average parishioner. Good luck to you.
Thanks for your interesting personal account! I believe he is still a Lutheran - strange that he was teaching CCD, though. Well, considering the 70s', I guess it's not that strange.
Thanks, I just sent it! The St. Louis Jesuits (one of whom "married" his boyfriend a couple of years ago) were the only people who ever made Marty Haugen look good.
Come worship the lord
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