As an honest question, I would like to ask: why were large fish kites attached to long poles so that they could lead the entrance procession at the NPM Mass yesterday?
I truly fail to understand the symbolism. I have seen sails incorporated into the design of seaside churches, and I understand this. I wouldn’t design a church that way myself, but it makes sense. But, since the Basilica is inland, I doubt the seaside element of the symbol predominates, even in summer.
On the other hand, the fish were lifted high into the air, which is unusual for fish, and perhaps this was meant to express the possibility of human theosis, in which human nature is “lifted up” to participate in divinity. That is a nice thought.
Or, since the fish were interspersed among banners bearing sheaves of wheat, perhaps the fish and wheat together represented the loaves and the fishes?
Or, do the fish recall the ancient Christian symbol of the ichthus–perhaps they represent Jesus Christ? However, why then were there multiple fish?
Fish swim in schools, and perhaps, as we gather, we are formed into a collegio. That is a nice thought.
On the other hand, perhaps the postconciliar banner frenzy, which frankly seemed to have run its course about 20 years ago, yesterday jumped the shark?
Update: video has emerged.
well, these are very thoughtful questions indeed!
Right at this moment, one of the fish–I think it's the yellow one–is flying over the Easter candle as it's being lit by, I think, Rita Ferrone.
Is the yellow fish the Holy Spirit? This gets more and more intriguing.
Why are they lighting the Paschal Candle in August? (I assume this is neither a baptism or a funeral.)
And did those banners have NPM emblazoned on the bottom? Are we worshiping ourselves yet?
Well, at least they didn't have puppets. I think liturgists are just terrified that people will be bored. And of course, at a conference like this, they have to dazzle each other.
There weren't humanoid puppets (whew!) But the question remains, whose puppets were these? Or, one shudders to think of it, Whose?
I was in the choir for this mass as a favor to the conductor — horrified by the fish and so many other things and would like to add something to the discussion, if I may.
The conductor – who is a good friend and respected conductor/organist – asked many of his colleagues to participate. He was chosen by the DM at the Cathedral and it was an honor for him. So there were quite a few other liturgical musicians (three of my former staff at my last parish) who work in and around the DC Metro area in the choir — who are not members of NPM because of the evidence of an extreme agenda with which we do not agree. …and etc. etc. We were all willing to participate because the director is a consummate professional, friend to all, smart, attentive, etc. I can't speak for all, but we were willing to give NPM the benefit of a second look keeping our bias in check and hoping for the best. THis seemed fair and appropriate – esp. because most of us have sung for this conductor's DMA recitals at Catholic Univ. (singing the Mozart Vespers and other exquisite music). Happily, he did his usual stellar job despite the music selections. It was an impossible task for him and he was impressive, never showing any disdain or condescension, despite the fact that his skills, historical stylistic knowledge and interpretative abilities are stellar.
OK. That said – you can guess how horrified we were by some of the things that happened at the mass yesterday….and here we were…. aiding and abetting.
The flying fish and other such objects that were lofted above the congregation actually made me quite angry. One of my sons was in the congregation and became quite upset, got up and left and came back four times — trying his best to cope with this obvious disregard for the liturgy by the organizers AND the woman next to him who tried to talk to him all through the mass.
Bottom line – it was tough to sit through this mass – still tougher to sing through it. This was an extreme example, and I know that despite my love for a friend and colleague, my conscious won't permit me to do something like this again. I just didn't know what to expect.
However, what about lesser crimes against the liturgy? Perhaps sometime down the road we could have that discussion and maybe come up with some unofficial guidelines or some way to talk about this. I know my own mind on this, but would appreciate the opportunity to discuss and hear from others. THANKS!
Was “Darwin” written on any of them?
Perhaps it represents the free spirit of the post-Conciliar liturgy?
To be honest, large conventions are most definitely not my thing.
That said, I saw a red banner in the video and it looked like a flame, not a fish at all. So if it looked like a kite, I would consider such 3D things are a practical design if you don't want a banner presenting a two-dimensional object. Banners are traditional fare in Catholic processions, so the objection and questions voiced here seem needlessly fussy and over-thought.
That said, I will admit I don't even like traditional banners I've seen at pilgrimage sites, and I've even been responsible for carrying one once at St Anne de Beaupre. I don't think I was worshiping the altar society or my parish any more than "NPM" on a banner implies some deeper horizontal celebration.
What do you suppose the solution is when people allow themselves to get whipped into such an emotional frenzy that they can't decide whether to stay or leave? That doesn't seem healthy, speaking as a general thing–not specific to the young lad referenced above.
My question: can people make use of artistic freedom and celebrate Mass in widely different ways and can others accept this with dignity? That's a serious question, btw–the crime against charity and good will. Maybe watching videos is more an occasion of sin, especially for those of us inclined to snark.
Todd
I suspect it is this sort of thing that has pushed people toward the EF and the reform in continuity of the Liturgy. I have only attended one NPM National Convention and that was when I was first ordained and it was in Cincinnati. What is in this video was in grand supply there too, although in a convention hall. In the early 1980's I thought this was the most awesome Mass I had ever attended. Today, watching this video it looks so very stale and of the "let us make it up as we go liturgy planning by a creative liturgy committee." There is something to be said about noble simplicity in a procession and what is in this video is entertainment with props and far from noble of Vatican II simplicity. It is theatrics.
Where could I get one of those? Liturgical abuse aside, they are really cool! I think if some more "traditional" form of paraphanalia would be allowed such as banners, flags and such, there would be no need for flying fish-give them something to hold and be done with it.
As a Baptist I remember a bunch of twrilly ribbons used in praise and worship a la http://img.ehowcdn.com/article-new-thumbnail/ehow….
I m glad no one is catching on to that.Iremember my confirmation-my athiest friend came to support and was horrified at what he termed the pagan nymphs doing some sort of dance won the isles to "I will go up to the altar of God". To this day I do not hear the end of it. I wonder what he would say to this.
It would be interesting to compare the average age of attendees at NPM conventions with the average ages of those who attend CMAA conferences.
It made me think of a feather on the breath of God.
I thought it looked like a jellyfish, but after reading Todd's comment I went back to the video and am inclined to go with his flame idea. In which case it must reference the Oriflamme of St-Denis, the medieval French battle-standard, flown as a sign that no quarter was to be given. During the Hundred Years War it was captured three times by the English, at Crecy (1346), Poitiers (1356) and Agincourt (1415). Joan of Arc refused to use it because of its bloodthirsty connotations.
Then again, it probably only represents the general silliness which pervades these occasions. Why do they always feature a fat woman standing at a lectern with her arms in the air?
This was mentioned in the video with Fr. Ruff in the previous post. Conclusion was that CMAA Colloquium has a much greater proportion of young people…..In fact I think Fr. Ruff said there were hardly any young people at all the NPM convention.
Shouldn't the acronym for the National Association of PAstoraL Musicians really be NAPALM ?
A napalm survivor said "Napalm is the most terrible pain you can imagine". It's use against civilian populations was banned by the UN CCW. So much for the power of the UN.
Sorry, couldn't resist…
To give credit where it's due, someone evidently wanted the entrance procession to be recognized as an event, as an act within the liturgy, and they wanted to make it something worth looking at. This is a good idea. During the entrance procession, the singing is not the main event: the procession is. The singing just accompanies it.
I think they went overboard — oh, sorry, pun not intended but unavoidable — with the fish. Or flames. Or kites.
Just getting Catholic priests and servers to walk peacefully in a straight line (which is something Anglicans can do with a blindfold on, walking backward and whirling a censer) would be considered miraculous and attention-getting on its own, no fish required.
I like your idea of the fishes and loaves, and it certainly makes the most sense. But it looks as though someone got a great deal on leftover elements of a Chinese New Year parade
"Why do they always feature a fat woman standing at a lectern with her arms in the air?"
Better than a fat man who needs six dudes to carry his magna cappa.
Todd
Thank you for singing with the choir. The choral works (especially Ralph Vaughan Williams' Let all the earth) were wonderful! I was there in the congregation and would like to offer a different perspective. It was my first time at NPM I thought it was a BEAUTIFUL liturgy. I was incredibly moved by the responsorial psalm which was a gospel number, led by a wonderful cantor. When it was the congregation's turn to respond, every one sung in 4 part harmony without any accompaniment! (The psalm verse ended on the tonic which was helpful.) The gospel was sung by Mgsr Ray East in the african american tradition – an improvised psalm tone of sorts. I wish there was a video of that. His sung gospel made the word come alive. Then there was the our father – I've NEVER in my life been so moved during the our father. It was a sacred moment. Thousands gathered, chanting it in one voice. It was so loud! Voices were bouncing off the walls of the Basilica and rising up to our Father in Heaven indeed. The communion antiphons and hymns may not have been ones I would have picked, but I was nevertheless moved by the words and music because of the people and what was happening at communion — the fact that so many music ministers were there, and that for that one hour or so, we all put our own worship/ musical preferences/ theologies aside so we could worship together. That takes humility, and it all culminated at communion. No one said "I don't like this song, so I'm not going to sing." The fact that you, S. Carroll didn't walk out of the choir because it was a challenge for you to witness a liturgy like this is beautiful. By the grace of God, we were all able look past our differences. Sure, it's normal for musicians and liturgists to gripe about this and that after the mass or make faces at each other during it; we're all liturgical snobs and human after all, but there felt to me that was a general sense that worship is much bigger than us during mass. This koinonia is what divine beauty calls us to. I think this entire discussion is missing the point by limiting beauty to what fits into one's own definition of outward beauty.
P/S: I think the "flying fish" were supposed to resemble flames – the holy spirit. That was my first thought when I saw them at the opening ceremony. When I was at the Basilica, the mural in the Basilica had flames that looked like they were shooting out the back of Jesus' head. Maybe they were trying to connect the two.
Audrey,
In your experience, did the fish/flames and banners point towards the symbols that are integral to the procession? Or did they rather distract from the Book, the candles, the censer, and the ministers?
Were the flames meant to represent the Holy Spirit, or rather the flames surrounding the Ancient of Days in Daniel 7, or the Son of Man in Revelations 1?
Is there a point at which discretion regarding participation ceases to be snobbery, and becomes discernment?
Are there any songs which should not be sung at Liturgy, considering that Sts. Ephrem and Ambrose both wrote hymns to counteract the heretical influence of Arian hymns?
That's quite funny. Tongue-in-cheek is better than taking oneself too seriously, eh what?
The vendor of the fish kites was selling them at the exhibits at the NPM Convention, for $2500 each! Maybe she did some good marketing with the convention committee!
The source of the seafood kites was promoting them at the displays at the NPM Conference, for $2500 each! Maybe she did some excellent promotion with the convention committee!
Touche'!