Posted on 01/23/2006 7:53:15 AM PST by NYer
Here are some of the selections that we have received from respondents to the survey of liturgical songs that have made a difference in the faith life of American Catholics.
All Are Welcome
Text and music: Marty Haugen, b. 1950.
I believe that the words really are words for our time, both for our Church and our world. They tell us who we ought to be and what we are to be about as Catholic Christians. It calls us to be who we say we are. When we sing it at our parish I feel a real sense of community, even though I know we have a long way to go to be the ideal Christian community. When we sing it I experience a sense of unity even as it challenges us to strive together to become that more ideal Christian community. (Linda Corey, Eau Claire, WI )
Ave Verum Corpus
Text: Ascr. to Innocent VI, d. 1362. Music: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, 1756 - 1791.
In 2001, after 9/11, my church in New York City did a memorial concert and produced a CD to raise money for the firefighters' and rescue workers' widows. We chose Ave Verum among others, because it poignantly confronts suffering and yet it proclaims the core truth of our faith: Christ's suffering (and ours) is redemptive; he is with us in life, in the Eucharist forever, and in death that opens to eternity with him. (Colleen Baxter, Sarasota, FL )
Be Not Afraid
Text: Based on Is 43:2-3; Lk 6:20 ff.; Bob Dufford, sj , b. 1943. Music: Bob Dufford, b. 1943.
The message, "Be Not Afraid," is stressed multiple times by prophets, disciples, and Christ himself! This is the story of my life and this is the true word of God. He is always with us; hence be afraid of nothing! It gives much hope, comfort, and peace - things we all desire and strive for. (Andrew Berthold, Omaha, NE )
Here I Am, Lord
Text and music: Dan Schutte, b. 1947
I first heard this song shortly after publication when my sister completed her training for youth ministry. It spoke clearly of her reasons for vocation, and she and he husband (whom she met during training) still work in the field for the Oakland Diocese. Most of my family members have served our parishes as musicians, singers, CCD teachers, and ministers of the Eucharist. I still get a lump in my throat when I sing this hymn. How else do you respond to the Lord's call but to use his gifts in service to others? (Steven West, Morton Grove, IL)
Lord of All Hopefulness
Text: Jan Struther, 1901 - 1953. Tune: SLANE.
I have long loved this hymn as a prayer for God's blessing throughout the day, but it took on a new meaning as a prayer of blessing and thanks for a life when we used it for the funerals of my father and mother. (Gordon E. Truitt, Sykesville, MD)
I remember the first time I heard Lord of All Hopefulness . It was a rainy day and we were having Morning Prayer in the center hall instead of in church. I was in first grade and didn't have my own book or know the words to the hymn. I looked lost to an older boy with a book, who let me read over his shoulder. I thought it was really nice of him and now whenever I hear this song I remember it. I also think this hymn is very calming and peaceful. It makes me feel relaxed and makes me think about how God is always with me through anything. Our music teacher told us this morning that it is not only about him being there all day, but all throughout our lives, and the end of the day is like the end of our lives, and God is with us through all of it. That is why Lord of All Hopefulness is special to me. (Maria Lattanzio, Immaculate Conception Regional School , Franklin , NJ )
My Soul Is Thirsting (Ps 63)
Music: Michael Joncas, b. 1951
I find the psalms to be the richest source of my prayers. I am constantly amazed that a poet from 3,000 years ago has put into words the same experience of God that I have. Psalm 63 is one of my favorites and this setting has enabled me to memorize the psalm and keep it with me, no matter how far I may be from my Bible. (Terri Miyamoto, Staten Island, NY)
Pescador de Hombres
Text and music: Cesáreo Gabaráin, 1936 - 1991
This hymn was truly inspired by our heavenly Father as is expressed through the very eloquent expression of Gabaráin as he makes "eye contact" with the Spirit of Jesus. I have visited Catholic liturgies all over the world and have rejoiced to hear this unifying hymn sung in many different languages. This is the most requested hymn when our choir is asked to sing for funerals, weddings, birthdays, etc. (Cordelia Garcia, Santa Fe, NM)
Praise to the Lord
Text: Joachim Neander, 1650 - 1680; tr. by Catherine Winkworth, 1827 - 1878.
Music: LOBE DEN HERREN; Straslund Gesangbuch, 1665.
It is a great hymn of praise known to many Christians, Catholic and Protestant. When I was in college and sang in a concert choir, this hymn served as our theme, sung at the beginning of our concerts. When I passed my exam for my master's degree, I joyfully sang this hymn (all five of the original stanzas) on my way home in the car. I learned it in my Lutheran childhood and still use it in Catholic music ministry. (Naomi Matthews, Madison, WI)
Salve Regina
Text: attr. to Hermanus Contractus, 1013 - 1054. Music: Chant, Mode V
Connects us to 700 years of Catholics, and in its style and mood, really back to at least the seventh century. Together, the living and the dead make up the "cloud of witnesses" (Hebrews), and we are connected to the great saints of the past who sang these very words to this very melody. (Joe Mulrooney, Rochester, NY)
Tantum Ergo
Text: Thomas Aquinas, 1227 - 1274. Tune: ST. THOMAS
It connects with the early days of my faith life and I still find myself humming it. (Peggy D'Elia, San Francisco, CA )
The Cross of Love Blessing Prayer
Text and music: Rufino Zaragoza, OFM
This song unites people to the cross in a way that makes the cross something one would eagerly want to take up as it is a cross of love. . . . I cried and cried the first time I read the words. It struck a nerve deep within me, close to my heart.
An odd occurrence happened the first time I used this song. I included it as a song after communion for everyone to sing on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. On that Sunday I started the song and then heard strange sounds of metal clanging. I had no way of knowing this, but found out afterwards that an elderly man in the rear pew of the church had collapsed after receiving communion and an ambulance was called. We sang as they laid him on the stretcher, and as we sang the last note of the song, the ambulance workers were out the door. I of course had no idea of all that had transpired downstairs in the main body of the church, although the cantor's eyes were quite wide and her facial expressions a little unusual. It was even more startling to realize that the opening words of the song are, "May the Lord bless and keep you till your journey is complete." Fortunately the gentleman had not completed his journey just yet and was given the medical treatment needed. It was a strange coincidence for sure, but certainly for that gentleman a fitting song for the moment and a beautiful song celebrating the cross and our call to discipleship. (Katherine M. Joseph, Merrimack, NH )
The King of Love My Shepherd Is
Text: Henry Williams Baker, 1821 - 1877. Music: ST. COLUMBA, trad. Irish melody
This wonderful combination of inspired text and beautiful hymnody has found its way into my heart on many occasions, from mourning the tragic death of a young student to celebrating with my parish community. Henry Baker's text does brilliant justice not only to the psalm (23) itself, but to the remarkably well-intertwined themes of trust, faith, love, providence, reconciliation, and hope. Equally as impressive to me is the way that this extraordinary hymn-tune and the emphases of the text complement each other, within each verse and through the piece as a whole, creating a musical journey from quiet gratitude to awe-inspired joy. (Tony Ward, Omaha, NE )
The Lord Is My Hope
Text and music by M. D. Ridge
This song has been my source of strength during some of the toughest, hardest times of my life. It's so easy for shadows to confuse our vision or sorrow to claim one's heart, but the Lord is there always to help those who rely on him and his assistance and love. I find courage to move forward with this song. My Shepherd and King is forever with me; I know that I DON'T walk alone. (Patricia McGinley, Philadelphia, PA )
Voices That Challenge
Text and music by David Haas, b. 1957
When we first used this song at the campus ministry at James Madison University in Virginia , a young woman came up after Mass with tears in her eyes and said, "I've never heard anyone mention AIDS in church before. My brother died of AIDS, and I've been afraid to tell anyone about him, until now." Ironically, I had considered not singing that verse, because I didn't want to offend anyone. the young woman was voice that challenged me to keep singing for those who need their voices heard. (Steve Raml, Glendale, AZ )
We Are Called
Text and music by David Haas, b. 1957
This song speaks to me as a Christian who is called to make a difference in my world, whether that's in my family, my neighborhood, my work, or my main ministry, which is serving the people in Haiti through the PTPA program. It also reminds me of God's call to me that I experienced when I made a Cursillo weekend in 1995. (Mary Rehovsky, Nashville, TN )
Jesus, My Lord, My God, My All
Mary, Queen Enthroned Above
O Esca Viatorum
O Sacrum Convivium
Panis Angelicus
(Several) Ave Maria('s)
...
Songs that should be banned in the church:
Anything by Dan Schutte (hippies in the sanctuary)
"All Are Welcome"
"Anthem" (Mormon-like lyrics)
Anything by David Haas
Now, every Catholic should know Ave Vernum Corpus, Salve Regina, Ave Maria and Faith of Our Fathers...
The one I HATE HATE HATE is "We Remember, We Celebrate, We Believe." I call it the Hymn of the Missing Nouns.
Sing along with me,
"We remember,
The Alamo..."
Someone recently pointed out to me the musical similarity between "Here I Am Lord" and the theme song of "The Brady Bunch" --- I haven't been able to get that out of my head since!
Have not and have no urge to.
A few weeks ago I went to mass at a neighboring parish (b/c of mass times) and the choir director played a little number during the Alleluia that he ended by running his fingers up the keys...it sounded like something from a New Orleans burlesque show.
I love my parish.
Why do you say that?
OK, I agree with you on that wording. Exact words of Samuel the fourth time God called him.
Excellent article. I emailed them about two weeks ago complaining about the ugly art on the missallettes as well as the humnals. With all the wonderful traditional Catholic art and icons, there is no reason whatsoever for all this modernistic stuff.
**The OCP psalm stuff really grates on me.**
To me, I wish our choir would just sing the regular psalm instead of the sing-song versions in the back of the book. (I don't sing those, but rather just sit quietly and read the Psalms as they were written.
**Doing the same Responsorial Psalm ... regardless of the readings or the season ... **
This ticks me off too. See my previous note about the sing-song versions of the Psalms in the back of the book. Arghhh!
**Whenever a song has us celebrating ourselves I want to shout "STOP THE INSANITY!" at the top of my lungs. **
That is exactly what is wrong with a lot of Hurd, Haas, Schutte, etc. songs. They don't focus on God!
LOL!
"Dude of Cool"?
Is this real?
RE; Lord of the Dance- I find the song to be wholly inappropriate for the mass.
Re: Here I am Lord.- I can't help but think that the lyrics have a particular meaning for an unrepentant homosexual that was not intended when Samuel or Ananias recited them when the Lord called them.
Maybe it's just me, but I doubt it.
We knocked ourselves out over Christmas with beautiful, liturgically appropriate service music, all the propers, beautiful choral preludes, postludes (Tallis, Byrd, Palestrina, St. Saens, Arcadelt, plus he sneaked in Matthias' "A Babe Is Born" which is modern but simply splendid) . . . the works.
A parishioner came up to the choirmaster after the service and was raving about how wonderful the music was. As he tells the story, he was preening himself just a little bit, then realized that she was raving about the nasty "Here I Am" offertory hymn that he threw in to placate the "On Eagles Wings" crowd . . . Apparently ALL the rest of that beautiful, beautiful music went in one ear and out the other.
It's a good thing I can't excommunicate people . . .
His "Friday Morning" is splendid, makes you think, and it's a pleasure to sing -- but it's not for church.
It was on a Friday morning that they took me from the cell
and I saw they had a carpenter to crucify as well
You can blame it on to Pilate
You can blame it on the Jews
You can blame it on the Devil
Its God I accuse
Its God they ought to crucify instead of you and me
I said to the carpenter, a-hanging on the tree
You can blame it on to Adam
You can blame it on to Eve
You can blame it on the apple,
but that I can't believe
It was God that made the Devil
And the woman and the man
And there wouldn't be an apple
If it wasn't in the plan
Now Barabbas was a killer
And they let Barabbas go
But you are being crucified
For nothing that I know
And your God is up in Heaven
and He doesn't do a thing
With a million angels watching
and they never move a wing
To hell with Jehovah
To the carpenter I said
I wish that a carpenter
had made the world instead
Goodbye and good luck to you
our ways will soon divide
Remember me tomorrow
The man you hung beside
You bet me to it.
I have never cared for the Lord of the Dance either.
Had never considered your reasoning on the Here I Am, either. I choose not to think that way, I guess..........or just I'm naive.
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