Posted on 06/26/2006 11:48:53 AM PDT by FJ290
Vatican City, 26 June (AKI) - Pope Benedict XVI has called for traditional sacred music to be played during mass, condemning the ongoing custom of contemporary music at religious celebrations. "Updating sacred music is possible, but this cannot happen unless it follows the tradition of Gregorian chants or sacred polyphony," the pontiff said on Sunday on the sidelines of a concert in the Sistine Chapel. A skilled pianist with a predilection for Bach and Mozart, Benedict XVI spoke against a custom reportedly appreciated by his more informal predecessor John Paul II, who worked very hard throughout his papacy to make the Church more appealing to the younger generations.
In an interview published in Turin-daily La Stampa on Monday, the former Archbishop of Ravenna, veteran Cardinal Ersilio Tonini also condemned the practice saying that "Benedict XVI is right, mass is a meeting with God and to meet God sacred music is better than the turmoil of electric guitars, hand clapping and the husstle and bustle of disorderly sounds."
Tonini said that 40 years ago after the Second Vatican Council "making mass more popular and inviting could be understood." However, the cardinal added, "we exaggerated and now I believe it is legitimate to consider as over this season of breaks with tradition."
Sounds GOOD to me. : )
I can't help but notice that we are not admonished to praise Him with repetitive two-chord musical pap.
Were I a literalist, I'd think God hates "praise music" too.
That said, I miss my old church and its Palestrina, Byrd etc. But you know, *that* was a concert for me! I am a huge early music fan:-)As much as I really am all for a lovely high mass, polyphonic chant and so forth, but this is leaning towards an elitist reactionary stance.
(for those anti-immigrant types, don't bother to comment, my current church is not in the US).
Especially the Norwegian Minnesotan Lutherans I grew up with. I think they actually were a bit embarrassed by the whole Martin Luther nailing his protest to the door thing, but they hate to make more of a fuss than has already been done. All we can do now is calm down, have some lunch and try to enjoy the rest of the day. :~)
That's right. Church (little c). Do you treat all Protestants as pagans or tax collectors then? Boy I bet you make friends whereever you go...I was just ribbing the other poster somewhat. As I said you float your boat, I'll float mine.
< g >
Sorry to hear of the family issues, but Jesus told us that would happen right? Take care.
Someone once said that many of the older hymns are like mini-theologies....one could get through the gulag with only "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God."
Glory and Praise music was much of what we played back in the 80s...VERY liturgical and musical...we had guitars and other instruments, but our purpose wasnt to be a rock group...just provide good music. I loved a lot of the Glory and Praise music.
Hippy guitar music sucks.
They should have a speed-metal Mass!
Most Catholic churches here have a number of services beteen saturday night and sunday evening. As a catholic usually worshiping at a Methodist church with family, I miss the flexibility of times of service. We have one service on sunday, miss it and you're out of luck.
However, given that most churches here have at least 5 masses on the weekend, can't they attempt to offer a worship style that appeals to all? The children's mass is geared to families with youngsters, the homily is different and folks are more tolerant of restless kids. The "high" mass uses all sung responses and more classical music and is slightly longer. Saturday evening is more casual. Some churches offer a mass in a non-english language; Spanish around here. And one near-by does a Latin service.
As long as the standards are being adhered to, I don't see the harm in offering different worship and service styles to reflect the diversity of the backgrounds of the congregation. Mexican catholics have a different style from Indian catholics and Irish catholics and even catholic converts from the protestant denominations. Older folks have diffenent expectations from younger folks. Even exactly following the order and rituals I think there is room for some differences.
We don't even eat lutefisk. We only serve it to guests that have stayed to long :~)
We attend the Life Teen Mass as well, we have many more people in attendance that fit the 35 to 85 year old demographic than the 0 to 34 year old demographic. This Mass also seems to be one of the better attended services.
If you don't mind me asking, what Parish are you a member of?
Is "liturgical dance" where two fools stand behind the preacher and wave ribbons like they're trying out for the rhythmic gymnastics event?
I think that's even lamer than "praise music."
But Benedict XVI is on to them. On the Theology of Kneeling written before he was pope:
http://www.adoremus.org/1102TheologyKneel.html
Opening paragraph:
There are groups, of no small influence, who are trying to talk us out of kneeling. "It doesn't suit our culture", they say (which culture?) "It's not right for a grown man to do this -- he should face God on his feet". Or again: "It's not appropriate for redeemed man -- he has been set free by Christ and doesn't need to kneel any more".
Another good line:
It may well be that kneeling is alien to modern culture -- insofar as it is a culture, for this culture has turned away from the faith and no longer knows the one before whom kneeling is the right, indeed the intrinsically necessary gesture.
Click link above for more.
I would say we should be looking for some more comments or 'suggestions' on kneeling for those we are capable.
Why would you switch from the world's most stupid genre of music to world's most boring, self-indulgent style of music?
Kind of a lateral move.
We should remember that Gregorian chant was once new and innovative. And no doubt in the early church, there were old people who disapproved of the Latin Mass, and longed for the good old traditional Greek or Aramaic version of their childhoods.
There are many young families that are put off by Gregorian chant and the Tridentine Mass, but there are many people, old and young, who prefer the old ways. Parishes and dioceses should adapt.
Unfortunately, there are still a few too many bishops who fear they won't get invited to the right liberal parties any more if they don't denigrate the Tridentine Mass in favor of the happy-clappy rock-guitar version. May the Holy Father begin a quiet purge of them.
-ccm
Amen!! The choir or music leader in soooo many Churches act like THEY are the most importnat thing!!
Speaking of church music........on vacation one summer, I found myself in an ELCA (liberal Lutheran Synod). I'm Missouri Synod (conservative).
Peace and dove-type banners graced the altar area. Other features were goofy such as gender-neutral readings.
After the sermon, the scraggy guitar soloist played and sang the Lord's Prayer IN CALYPSO.
At that point, I quietly left.
Gimme that old-time religion, please. I get enough politics during the week.
Leni
But I don't know that I have a representative sample (having never had that hymnal in my hands), and I am also a musical reactionary . . . at least as far as sacred music is concerned.
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