Posted on 07/08/2007 4:56:55 PM PDT by narses
LOL, I’ll look for the T-shirt. ;)
That sounds like an idea.
And the simple chants are available for free reproduction once people get interested:
http://www.ceciliaschola.org/notes/jubilatedeo.html
A few (three?) years ago our bishop had everyone sing the Kyrie, Sanctus and Agnus Dei in Latin during Lent.
By the third week, everyone was in the swing of things. The old melodies are pretty inspiring, even for those who aren’t very confident singers.
True, and when you consider that the prevailing culture had changed, all at once, into one that would be highly approved by Bacchus (that is, one that was focused exclusively on self). Move out to the suburbs, keep up with the Joneses, get the latest toys, give the kids everything that you didn't have as a kid, and so on. A tough thing for a culture of mysticism, self-sacrifice, and abandonment of self to God to compete with. Particularly when God's culture is only emphasized an hour a week.
I, honestly, don't have anything against the N.O. Mass in of itself. When it's celebrated properly, with the proper reverence and the proper theology being stressed. But the VCII reforms, all of them good...in of themselves...and the N.O. Mass...again, good...in of itself...were hijacked by those who started corrupting the youth with narcissism 10-15 years earlier.
For my own part, I still believe that the English Mass has saved many of the otherwise “lost” youngsters.
Perhaps. And bringing the Mass to the people is, again, not a bad thing. In of itself. And guitars are not a bad thing, either...in of themselves. See, I don't mind the cheap tunes from the OCP music book...in of themselves. It's the change in the theology as taught through the lyrics of those songs. Where the good thing is taken and twisted and weakened. You can have an offertory done to a folk song. Shoot, you can have an offertory done to a punk rock beat. But what do the lyrics say? What is the message that is inculcated to the people?
In fact, I would submit that, had they not weakened and cheapened the theology, the generation from the 60s (that first generation that had to survive post-war materialism) could have produced some tremendous mystics and some tremendous saints. But you know who had the mysticism? The so-called "New Age." Catholicism, as practiced according to the "spirit of VCII" (as opposed to "practiced according to VCII") was being twisted into a watered down protestant social gathering. So there was nothing real to cling to.
Do you have EWTN on your radio where you live? It’s a very good start, not that you need it, and should be encouraged. And there are other groups presenting the Catholic viewpoint on radio and TV.
Nope...the only Catholic radio around here is on the Internet. Such the pity.
***I don’t mind the cheap tunes from the OCP music book...in of themselves.***
I do! The music stinks and the message it gives is that we can’t be bothered to give our best to God. Either that or God is so banal that He doesn’t care that we offer our most insipid music to Him. While I was out running errands this afternoon, I heard music that sounded like a commercial for an island vacation. I had to look at my radio display twice to make sure it was the Catholic station I thought I had dialed. Sure enough it was! I had to listen closely for the words, and they were singing something like “We praise You, God” but if you couldn’t hear the words, you’d think it was some type of island song (think “Girl from Ipanima”). It was ridiculous!
The first Sunday of every month, our choir sings the Ordinary in Latin, in simple chants arranged by our choirmaster. He printed up easy-reading booklets with the words and music, everyone picks one up at the door (and before Mass begins one of our priests reminds everyone to signal an usher if they don't have one).
People are picking it up very quickly!
We also are getting rid of the Haugen "Massive Cremation" - our choirmaster has written a modern 4 part Mass setting that is spare, vigorous, and beautiful -- looking backwards to Renaissance polyphony (another fave of his). We pretty much use that the other Sundays now, he printed up handouts with the melody line for the congregation. Congregation seems to approve. Choir is all for it. I was SOOOOO sick of that Haugen abomination . . . .
Our choirmaster said about the Massive Cremation - "The first time I heard it, I knew it was incredibly, horribly awful . . . and that everyone would just LOVE it!"
***In fact, I would submit that, had they not weakened and cheapened the theology, the generation from the 60s (that first generation that had to survive post-war materialism) could have produced some tremendous mystics and some tremendous saints. But you know who had the mysticism? The so-called “New Age.” Catholicism, as practiced according to the “spirit of VCII” (as opposed to “practiced according to VCII”) was being twisted into a watered down protestant social gathering. So there was nothing real to cling to.***
I believe we’re in agreement. Pope Benedict XVI, according to a priest on EWTN, has not denied the new Mass, but rather is trying to “change the changes” it has brought about. Yes, it’s about time.
I do not dislike the “guitar Masses” either, but NOTHING must take precedence over what’s happening on the altar. The lyrics must be right. And the music must not interfere with the sacred prayers.
As far as the hymns are concerned, the ones I hear on EWTN during high Mass are without any discernable melody, much less a feeling of adoration for the Host. But, what do *I* know? I don’t understand Latin.
It’s been good reading your opinion. Thank you.
Chant takes some practice and study to understand. In better days, you would have drawn that in naturally, in childhood, learning the simplest Latin chants in the children's choir.
That's where I learned them -- in an Episcopal church! They may be heretics, but they didn't throw away the music.
If you can find a copy, get a hold of Chants of the Church, edited by Msgr. Charles Spence. These nice people have put it on line. This website has many resources, including a guide to Gregorian chant on CD.
That should get you off on the right foot. Once you know a little bit about what you're listening to, it all makes sense. If you want to know about the history of chant, get a copy of Donald Grout's History of Western Music.
Video of Traditional Latin Mass and lecture on its history by the late Fr. Gommar De Pauw.
Latin-English Parallel text of a Solemn High Mass
A COMPARISON BETWEEN THE TEXTS OF THE TRADITIONAL (TRIDENTINE) MISSAL AND THE NOVUS ORDO MISSAL
That happens. It's not a big hurdle to start chanting in the universal language.
AGGHHHHH..... You showed great restraint in not giving a strong reply. We MUST pray for these disobedient priests.
Wasn’t my parish and didn’t need him to restrict my movements as I was being paid by a bride to videotape that wedding.
I started study Latin Again in December of last Year! Now I am going away for a Month of Intensive Arabic hopefully a Missionary Training school in Egypt later this year after my RR Trip to Medjugorje in August!
I love the latin mass and applaud any efforts by the church to support it.
IMHO, a major cause of Latin's demise in the liturgy may have been that most peculiar Massachusetts version of Latin, as once demonstrated by Cardinal Cushing on national TV.
One result of the Mexican invasion is that it just might soon wipe out "Massachusetts English" ... perhaps giving those of us in Maine a better chance to understand what it is you people are tryng to say. (Providing, that is, the MA Mexicans don't develop some sort of perverse español!)
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