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I have been attending an FSSP parish in an adjacent diocese for approximately nine years. For logistical reasons I occasionally attend a local parish and have seen incredible changes going on. The pastor, fiftiesh, ordained eight years ago, an Irishman, is incrementally introducing traditionalism into his liturgies. One week the altar boys are wearing the traditional cassock and surplice ( never a girl ), a few weeks later are kneeling at the altar during the consecration, sanctus bells are rung, he beats his chest at the confiteor and genuflects during the creed ( as do many parishioners ). I have heard him say during the sermon that he will only give his EEM's communion on the tongue and thinks that everyone should receive it that way, and demands that everyone turn to page 255 to sing the gloria...in latin...Gregorian chant. The Sanctus and Agnus Dei are in Latin.

I commented to a parishioner that the priest is a subversive traditionalist, and he said that ever since a Catholic radio station began broadcasting here last fall, this priest has been reinforced and empowered to do these things, in an extremely liberal diocese. Oh.....and his daily masses at 6:45 a.m. are packed with 50 people every day, which to me is incredible.

So support your local Cath. radio station. It has incredible benefits, not only for laity, but for clergy too.

Now...when he eliminates the Schutz, Haas, Haagen music I will register as a parishioner.

That is VERY interesting! Also, it seems the “priest shortage” is possibly being solved in an unexpected way in recent years by these men who find “late” vocations. Thanks for the comment about Catholic radio, I never thought of that. Same is true for EWTN I would guess.

Now...when he eliminates the Schutz, Haas, Haagen music I will register as a parishioner...

...I too believe that the Gloria, the Sanctus and the Agnus Dei should be recited in Latin...I do so myself, every week...but I have to take issue with the constant bashing of these three poor songsmiths...perhaps they represent all that we hate in the N.O., and maybe they aren’t Catholic, but at least they are writing songs commemorating our faith...there’s plenty of terrible music out there to complain about...someone writing a heartfelt song about divine faith should not feel our venom...

The best way to do something about the music is to get inside and work on it there.

We entered the Catholic Church with fear and trembling, NOT over the theology but over the music. Coming from the Episcopalians, who may be screaming heretics but have impeccable taste in liturgical music, we were prepared to shoulder our cross because of course music (while important) pales in comparison with Belief.

But once we got in we got heavily involved in the choir and before we knew it the old Haugen-Haasish director had taken a job at a more "happening" parish where things other than the music were less "old fashioned", and I volunteered for the music director search committee . . . . and before we knew it we had a serious musician who believes in chant and polyphony (and he plays the organ like an angel).

With a rector like that, I think it's only a matter of time before the music takes a significant change for the better. With the aid of H.H. BXVI's splendid essay on the liturgy and music, I bet you could gather a few like-minded musical folks and persuade the rector that introducing traditionalism should include music written by Actual Catholics who Appreciate the Musical Patrimony of the Church . . . . the Chant of the Ordinary of the Mass would be nicely complemented by hymns from the Adoremus hymnal and some polyphonic motets for offertory and communion . . .