Posted on 11/06/2006 1:41:11 PM PST by NYer
Vatican City, Nov. 06, 2006 (CNA) - Sources close the Holy See are saying that during his upcoming visit to the St. Cecilia Music Academy Pope Benedict XVI may address the need to recover the quality of sacred music in the liturgical life of the Church.
The feast of St. Cecilia, patroness of music, will be celebrated on November 22, and the Pontiff has announced that during that week he intends to visit the academy of music in Rome that bears the saint’s name.
According to Vatican sources consulted by the Catholic News Agency, the Holy Father, who has expressed his concern over liturgical music, may address the need to recover the place of sacred music, “both Gregorian and polyphonic,” in the Catholic liturgy.
“This pronouncement could even take the form of a ‘Motu Propio,’ an official document issued on the Holy Father’s own initiative,” sources said.
Since the election of Pope Benedict XVI, sacred music has been given greater attention in the Roman liturgy
On November 19, as part of the year of Mozart—one of Pope’s favorite composers—Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, Archbishop of Vienna, will preside at a Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, in which the famous Philharmonic Orchestra of Vienna will present Mozart’s Mass of Coronation.
Although no time has been official allotted for remarks by the Holy Father, it is possible he will address the faithful at the conclusion of the liturgical celebration.
I said it first!
A mighty fortress is our God! A bulwark never failing. How firm a foundation, you saint of the Lord, is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
Just what liturgical music needs: a proclamation from the Vatican.
This is coming from Catholic News Agency ... a serious source. Besides, if nothing else, we have all witnessed Pope Benedict XVI in action. He is committed to restoring 'reverence' in the Latin Church, albeit through the restoration of the TLM or, in this case, liturgical music. If you are going to voice any concerns, please direct them towards those bishops who wish to maintain the NO status quo.
Gregorian=beautiful music The Pope is one smart man.
ROFL!!! Suggest that to the USCCB and see what it nets you.
You have my total sympathy! I used to feel the same way until I arrived at a Maronite Catholic Church. Since the entire liturgy is chanted back and forth between the celebrant and the congregation, I couldn't imagine what was in store for Communion. Their communion hymns are very limited. That Sunday, the one they sang moved me to tears.
O Bread of LifeO Bread of Life, O Food of Souls, God's joy unsealed,
the Son of God now Son of Man, God's love revealed;
the angels stand before Your face with awe and fear;
how then shall we poor sinful men dare draw so near?The ocean depthys of God's great love became a flood
the night He gave His precious food, His Flesh and Blood;
our bodies take, our souls receive this awesome Lord;
O Mystery that shows how God should be adored!For mercy, come with rev'rent love, O penitent;
to God who gives and given is, in Sacrament;
my hope, my grace, my happiness,
God's only Son, receiving You is promise of salvation won.
I have bumped freeper 'redhead' who attends a Byzantine Catholic Church. Just curious, red, what is the practice in your parish for communion hymns?
BTTT!
What was the title of the other thread about this and I will link it!
Dear NYer,
Please don't ping me.
Thanks,
sitetest
The Holy Father could ban the USCCB as well while he's at it!
SYNOD OF BISHOPS - 10OCT05 - Participation of the Laity (with music)
Making Music at St. Mary Major; the Becket Battle
St. Louis Jesuits: 'I don't think we're rebels at all' (liturgical music)
Next Stop On the Liturgy Train.... (Music!)
Pope Against Pop Music In Mass
A Change of Tune in the Vatican (shift taking place in liturgical music)
The "Gathering of Witnesses" (recap Monday's BCL Subcommittee on Liturgy and Music)
What does the Church Really Say about Music in Mass?
Bad Music is Destroying the Church
Vatican experts say Pope may propose reform of liturgical music in coming weeks
Ah yes, I recall that this was an old Roman Catholic chant. Was it from the Tridentine or Gallican liturgy?
Many songs are fine for the campfire but give me 'Ave Verum Corpus' at Mass any day.
*snicker*
My vote would be for a restoration of a single liturgy ... in Spanish. Patrick would prefer Greek. We're getting him Greek alphabet blocks for Christmas.
Sacred music is not exactly a "wonderful new thing". It is in fact an ancient thing that the Vatican desires to restore, not introduce.
I'd love to see the look on Chaput's face when the ban on guitars and bongos at his 6:30 PM Sunday evening Mass is implemented.
...Music wise, that is.
The "Latin" Mass has never been removed so it does not need to be restored. It is said every day all over the world. What is being speculated, is that the Pope may remove the requirement for the bishopric indult. This is nothing new, it's been talked about since his election, due to his own expressed love for the Tridentine Mass and his now-famous comments on the faithful's right to participate in it.
Most American bishops do not grant permission, or do so very sparingly, for priests to say a "Latin" Mass. What people want who like the Latin or Tridentine masses (two different things), is for the bishops not to have such extensive power to prevent priests from offering these masses at their discretion, provided the Novus Ordo is available. This is the sort of change that can take years to make, it is fraught with ramifications of all kinds.
I personally can see how there needs to be some restriction on the Tridentine Rite, although it should be much more freely said than it is now, but because the Novus Ordo is the current approved rite and is said in every vernacular, I don't see why a priest could say a Mass in Latin at his own discretion.
After all, he can dedide to offer Mass in Spanish, Vietnamese, whatever, without authorization from the bishop, so why not the language of the Church? Overall, I don't believe Latin is the big problem, it's the American bishops opposition (or as my bishop recently put it, "discomfort") with the Tridentine Rite.
"On November 19, as part of the year of Mozart—one of Pope’s favorite composers—Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, Archbishop of Vienna, will preside at a Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, in which the famous Philharmonic Orchestra of Vienna will present Mozart’s Mass of Coronation."
This will be sheer celestial ecstasy! Wish I could be there, the history, the music, the setting...one step from Heaven.
OK here ya go:
My heart bursts with joy and anticipation when I hear this, knowing that I am about to assist at the most beautiful thing this side of heaven.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.