Replies

Here's something radical. Why not actually chant the Propers of the Mass? You know, the Introit, the Gradual and Alleluia, the Offertory Verse and the Communion Verse.

For example, instead of a "gathering song" (gag) have the choir chant the Introit. For this coming Sunday (unfortunate minimalist translation): Listen, Lord, and answer me. Save your servant who trusts in you. I call to you all day long, have mercy on me, O Lord.

The Anglican Use Gradual (which we use in our Novus Ordo Masses): Bow down, O Lord, thine ear to me and hear me: O my God, save Thy servant that trusteth in Thee; have mercy upon me. O Lord, for I have called daily upon Thee.

How many parishes' music directors ever consider the Propers? They're mostly ignored and yet they should be primary in the music of the Mass. They're integral to the structure of each Sunday's Mass. Yet hardly any parish uses this most proper option.

Instead we have the four-hymn sandwich. A hymn, however dignified and stately and beautiful is no match for the actual Proper that belongs to those parts we've been accustomed to hearing and singing a liturgical song.

The structure of the Mass is compromised when all we rely on are the hymns. To recover what is truly Catholic, recover the Propers. Plain and simple. Then you get away from this debate on stylistic choices.

Fr. Columba Kelly has been writing them for years in a hermeneutic of continuity with tradition. They're simply breathtaking and in the vernacular. The Arbogast Complete English Propers has them. And Richard Rice has just complete the Simple Choral Gradual for the whole church year that is accessible for choirs and parishes that are not yet able to do Gregorian chant.

These are free! No longer does your parish have to be slaves to the OCP/GIA monopoly on church music. These people are offering this to the church for free. And the music is gorgeous.

And no, I do not work for the CMAA. Just an ordinary and obscure musician working in the hermeneutic of continuity and for the reform of the reform.

Sancta Cecilia, ora pro nobis.

Many years ago, three other girls in the seventh and I believe, four in the eighth grade in my Parish, were chosen to chant the prayers that make up the Proper of the Mass every Sunday.

We were in practice every lunch hour and there were four endings to each sentence (or pause, or change) in rotation for each prayer, that was all. It was actual chanting without flourish with the endings consecutively sung.

We were also the basis of all the Liturgical singing during Eastertide. It was said that we were very good, I would never have known from where I stood.

I remember we were always asked by Sister Ellen Dolores, O.P., to please refrain from any milk or ice cream with our lunches.I remember the endings also, and am sometimes surprised at the variation of today, especially in the Alleluia.

I'd still not "gag" at the "gathering song", but do find the Hidden in another room Tabernacle offensive and particularly find the use of glass for Consecration of the Eucharist a far cry from the precious metals that would Honor Him.

I will repeat, I believe that the difference in how we worship and are holy is one thing ... how the hierarchy ducks the most important teachings of morality is what we should be talking and acting about.

When people complain of Communion in the Hand (I have never done this, myself) and don't stop to remember the mores of Christ's time, there is a disconnect for me.

FR just does not strike me as a place to air liturgical disgust and serves the Church in no responsible manner, IMOHO.

Fighting the evils of the world such as Abortion and Homosexuality seems a more fitting type of Activism.

I won't crash this thread again, I promise. I hate giving the idea to anyone that I am ignorant of my Faith or share no understanding (even if I do not agree with their liturgical fervor) of some of the current disaffection that many have with rites and practices.

I just feel an activist Forum would more rightly be served without airing Liturgical dissatisfaction, by a concerted effort to fight against the lack of real teaching we should be receiving from the pulpit, but are not.