Comments on: Strike up the band! http://leothegreat.stblogs.com/2007/04/17/strike-up-the-band/ Just another StBlogs.com weblog Fri, 07 Aug 2009 19:16:24 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.1 hourly 1 By: leothegreat http://leothegreat.stblogs.com/2007/04/17/strike-up-the-band/comment-page-1/#comment-5 leothegreat Thu, 26 Apr 2007 15:13:01 +0000 http://leothegreat.stblogs.com/2007/04/17/strike-up-the-band/#comment-5 I certainly respect your input. I will answer with two quotations, the first from The Catechism of the Catholic Church: 1157 "Song and music fulfill their function as signs in a manner all the more significant when they are "more closely connected . . . with the liturgical action," according to three principal criteria: beauty expressive of prayer, the unanimous participation of the assembly at the designated moments, and the solemn character of the celebration. In this way they participate in the purpose of the liturgical words and actions: the glory of God and the sanctification of the faithful..." And Pope Benedict XVI's Apostolic Exhortation Sacramentum Caritatis: 42. In the ars celebrandi, liturgical song has a pre-eminent place. (126) Saint Augustine rightly says in a famous sermon that "the new man sings a new song. Singing is an expression of joy and, if we consider the matter, an expression of love" (127). The People of God assembled for the liturgy sings the praises of God. In the course of her two-thousand-year history, the Church has created, and still creates, music and songs which represent a rich patrimony of faith and love. This heritage must not be lost. Certainly as far as the liturgy is concerned, we cannot say that one song is as good as another. Generic improvisation or the introduction of musical genres which fail to respect the meaning of the liturgy should be avoided. As an element of the liturgy, song should be well integrated into the overall celebration (128). Consequently everything – texts, music, execution – ought to correspond to the meaning of the mystery being celebrated, the structure of the rite and the liturgical seasons (129). Finally, while respecting various styles and different and highly praiseworthy traditions, I desire, in accordance with the request advanced by the Synod Fathers, that Gregorian chant be suitably esteemed and employed (130) as the chant proper to the Roman liturgy (131). I certainly respect your input. I will answer with two quotations, the first from The Catechism of the Catholic Church:

1157 “Song and music fulfill their function as signs in a manner all the more significant when they are “more closely connected . . . with the liturgical action,” according to three principal criteria: beauty expressive of prayer, the unanimous participation of the assembly at the designated moments, and the solemn character of the celebration. In this way they participate in the purpose of the liturgical words and actions: the glory of God and the sanctification of the faithful…”

And Pope Benedict XVI’s Apostolic Exhortation
Sacramentum Caritatis:

42. In the ars celebrandi, liturgical song has a pre-eminent place. (126) Saint Augustine rightly says in a famous sermon that “the new man sings a new song. Singing is an expression of joy and, if we consider the matter, an expression of love” (127). The People of God assembled for the liturgy sings the praises of God. In the course of her two-thousand-year history, the Church has created, and still creates, music and songs which represent a rich patrimony of faith and love. This heritage must not be lost. Certainly as far as the liturgy is concerned, we cannot say that one song is as good as another. Generic improvisation or the introduction of musical genres which fail to respect the meaning of the liturgy should be avoided. As an element of the liturgy, song should be well integrated into the overall celebration (128). Consequently everything – texts, music, execution – ought to correspond to the meaning of the mystery being celebrated, the structure of the rite and the liturgical seasons (129). Finally, while respecting various styles and different and highly praiseworthy traditions, I desire, in accordance with the request advanced by the Synod Fathers, that Gregorian chant be suitably esteemed and employed (130) as the chant proper to the Roman liturgy (131).

]]> By: crucifiedhero http://leothegreat.stblogs.com/2007/04/17/strike-up-the-band/comment-page-1/#comment-4 crucifiedhero Thu, 26 Apr 2007 06:09:14 +0000 http://leothegreat.stblogs.com/2007/04/17/strike-up-the-band/#comment-4 I admire your zeal for solemn mass suited for prayer and worship. I would like to comment on a few things and also share my thoughts in this matter. I think that in a youth mass, it is totally fine to have a ‘band choir’ as part of the music liturgy and people going for a youth mass should anticipate livelier and ‘jamming out’. As we all agree that music is a very subjective matter, one man’s meat is another’s poison, there is no hard and fuss rule as what is deemed “appropriate” for mass. Music during mass is to enhance worship and participation of the whole congregation in praise and worship together. But then again, being such a subjective matter, music may enhance one and decline another which roots back to what is appropriate. Since that particular mass has been themed ‘Youth Mass”, let the youth “jam out” so that “youths’ or others who enjoy and perhaps worship level elevated have a place and time to “worship out”. It would be a shame if the youth lose their place in the church or their views and thoughts are not considered, and their zeal is reduced and cramped by church leader’s opinions. Nothing wrong if the youth want to make the Church look ‘cool’, so that kids will come, because as long as people come, with the presence of our Lord and Grace of the Church, He can minister to touch, heal or connect. Like you mentioned also, perhaps it would be a good idea to attend other masses celebrated throughout the weekend which ‘suits’ your taste. I don’t think anybody can determine or judge what is the best way to grow closer to God in Church. Let God be God in how He draws us closer. Lastly, I would suggest that if any choir, may it be traditional or full band are ‘disrupting’ the flow of the liturgy, then by all means improve their playing or control the volume or what ever means which deemed necessary. “Strike Up” the band should be avoided if possible. I admire your zeal for solemn mass suited for prayer and worship. I would like to comment on a few things and also share my thoughts in this matter.
I think that in a youth mass, it is totally fine to have a ‘band choir’ as part of the music liturgy and people going for a youth mass should anticipate livelier and ‘jamming out’. As we all agree that music is a very subjective matter, one man’s meat is another’s poison, there is no hard and fuss rule as what is deemed “appropriate” for mass. Music during mass is to enhance worship and participation of the whole congregation in praise and worship together. But then again, being such a subjective matter, music may enhance one and decline another which roots back to what is appropriate. Since that particular mass has been themed ‘Youth Mass”, let the youth “jam out” so that “youths’ or others who enjoy and perhaps worship level elevated have a place and time to “worship out”.
It would be a shame if the youth lose their place in the church or their views and thoughts are not considered, and their zeal is reduced and cramped by church leader’s opinions. Nothing wrong if the youth want to make the Church look ‘cool’, so that kids will come, because as long as people come, with the presence of our Lord and Grace of the Church, He can minister to touch, heal or connect.
Like you mentioned also, perhaps it would be a good idea to attend other masses celebrated throughout the weekend which ‘suits’ your taste. I don’t think anybody can determine or judge what is the best way to grow closer to God in Church. Let God be God in how He draws us closer.
Lastly, I would suggest that if any choir, may it be traditional or full band are ‘disrupting’ the flow of the liturgy, then by all means improve their playing or control the volume or what ever means which deemed necessary. “Strike Up” the band should be avoided if possible.
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