Pontifex, Doesn’t That Mean….?
One might imagine someone with such a title would have more respect for rigidity, realize that in some situations it’s kinda… necessary.
“What is a Hymn and What’s it For?
Missed this from early November, (hmm…. what is it that could have had me distracted? can’t remember,) by Father Dwight Longenecker, blogging at Patheos.
He is, because of his background, perhaps a little hymnocentric, but he makes some good points. (And he gets to the right place eventually, though not, perhaps, for the right reason.)
Since moving here ten years ago I’m still having some problems with music. Part of it is my problem. I spent fifteen years in the Anglican Church with the New English Hymnal–which is probably the finest hymnbook ever published in the English language. Musically and liturgically it was the best that traditional Anglicanism had to offer.
…My problem is that I am actually unfamiliar with most of the music in American Catholic Churches because I have lived abroad for so long.
However, what I do experience is not encouraging. Who on earth is writing these hymns, publishing these hymns and choosing to buy, prepare and perform these hymns? Doesn’t anybody know what a hymn is for?
Surely a hymn is first, and foremost part of our worship. That means the words are words that we use to address our praise, adoration and worship of God. So much of the stuff I come across isn’t that at all. Instead it is sentimental language in which God talks to us to reassure us, make us feel better and comfort or inspire us. So…”Be not afraid…for I am always with you…Come follow me.. etc” This may be a pleasant enough devotional song to remind us of God’s promises, and there may be times when it is appropriate to sing such songs, but Mass is not one of those times. We’re not really at Mass to sing God’s comforting words to ourselves. We’re there to worship Him….the Mass is meant to take us to the threshold of heaven; if it is meant to be a glimpse of glory and a participation in the worship of the spheres of heaven itself, why then the sentimental, sweet and comforting songs just won’t do. They wont’ do not because they are bad or untrue, but because they are not good and true enough. Worship that takes us to the threshold of glory needs to be, well…glorious….not all parishes can manage to have a grand organ, a paid organist and a fine choir. True, and that’s why the church recommends Gregorian Chant.
People, Look East
A few days ago, Bishop Arthur Serratelli of Paterson, New Jersey, offered an Advent-inspired
reflection on the biblical tradition of looking to the East for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Fittingly enough, he mentions the liturgical tradition of prayer directed toward the East, whether geographical or symbolic, and reminds us of the purpose of that practice: it is to foster an other-worldly, God-centered focus which should characterize our participation at Mass, regardless of whether the priest speaks ad orientem or versus populum:
Whether celebrated with priest and people facing each other or with priest and people together facing the same direction, every Eucharist is Christ coming to meet us, gracing us with a share in his own divine life. Every Eucharist is a proleptic sharing in the feast of heaven. Therefore, in every celebration of the Eucharist, both priest and faithful should focus their attention not on each other, but on the Lord.
Purgatory still exists in December
As December is upon us, we logically turn our attention toward Advent and Christmas planning. Nonetheless, the coming winter months also can be a time of many funerals. Let us remember the beauty of the simple Requiem chants, as well as the many polyphonic settings.
There is an excellent article over at NCRegister on the recent St. John Cantius recording of Mozart’s Requiem, in the original “Süssmayr version”. The article interviews Father Michael Magiera, FSSP who is the Tenor soloist for the CD.
In the article, there is a beautiful and concise explanation of the value of Sacred Art–drawing our senses and souls to higher things.
As musicians and artists, it is our obligation to guide the faithful, as well as the non-churchgoing to higher things!
Perhaps a nice Christmas present for your musician friends?
Happy Advent (the CD is purple).
New Christmas Album from Dominican Fathers and Brothers
Just in time for Christmas, the friars of the St. Joseph (Eastern) Province of the United States have recorded a new album.
The friars, who sing together liturgically several times a day, have a stunningly unified sound.
The province continues to attract large vocation classes and the proceeds of the album contribute to the educational, living, and other formation expenses of the friars-in-training.
The renaissance of World Youth Day music this year was due in large part to the Dominican fathers and brothers who staffed the WYD Mercy Centre. I’ve personally benefited greatly from the ministries of the Dominicans and am pleased to hear of this new album. Enjoy!
New President for the USCCB
The bishops of the United States are currently meeting in Baltimore, and atop a slate of new officers in various roles, including Bishop Robert Barron as Chair of the Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston has been elected as President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Cardinal DiNardo is a friend of Catholic music and offered an impressive lecture at the last NPM Convention, which he hosted in his diocese. I’m not sure what it is about Texas that attracts theologian-bishops, but it is a wonderful thing.
Enjoy!