sing with the angels. At Mass and elsewhere. Vegas church. WHY DON'T CATHOLICS SING Every once in a while a book is published that falls into the category of "must" reading. Thomas Day's compelling …More
sing with the angels.
At Mass and elsewhere. Vegas church.
WHY DON'T CATHOLICS SING Every once in a while a book is published that falls into the category of "must" reading. Thomas Day's compelling book, "Why Catholics Can't Sing" (Crossroads, 1991) is that book. It is "must" reading not only for church musicians and the clergy, but for all Catholics who care about the liturgy. It is an excellent survey told in a clear style and an interestingly humorous manner. One might wonder about the authority of the author who would tackle this topic. Day, who is chairman of the department of music at Salve Regina College in Rhode Island, where he is professor music theory and history, has his doctorate from Columbia University. Day makes a point. He is right. Catholics do not sing. They are not encouraged to sing. The Germans brought their love of congregational singing to this country, but the Irish had only their folk music. He speaks of the energy and the enthusiasm of the singing in the …More
At Mass and elsewhere. Vegas church.
WHY DON'T CATHOLICS SING Every once in a while a book is published that falls into the category of "must" reading. Thomas Day's compelling book, "Why Catholics Can't Sing" (Crossroads, 1991) is that book. It is "must" reading not only for church musicians and the clergy, but for all Catholics who care about the liturgy. It is an excellent survey told in a clear style and an interestingly humorous manner. One might wonder about the authority of the author who would tackle this topic. Day, who is chairman of the department of music at Salve Regina College in Rhode Island, where he is professor music theory and history, has his doctorate from Columbia University. Day makes a point. He is right. Catholics do not sing. They are not encouraged to sing. The Germans brought their love of congregational singing to this country, but the Irish had only their folk music. He speaks of the energy and the enthusiasm of the singing in the …More
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Catherine Dower's very interesting & sage comments (along with Mr.Day's book) are so correct.
Such an enjoyable article, thank you.
The post-conciliar Catholic congregations--that I have witnessed, in the new modernist church of today's Rome seem quite apathetic to the 'liturgical tunes' being performed at these new services. The piano & guitar don't bring any improvement that I can see to that …More
Catherine Dower's very interesting & sage comments (along with Mr.Day's book) are so correct.
Such an enjoyable article, thank you.
The post-conciliar Catholic congregations--that I have witnessed, in the new modernist church of today's Rome seem quite apathetic to the 'liturgical tunes' being performed at these new services. The piano & guitar don't bring any improvement that I can see to that morose lethargy. Perhaps a fitting note on the celebration of new mass as well?
While on the other hand, the beauty, depth & wonder of the traditional Mass is enhanced by the inspired music passed down thru the centuries. St. Gregory WAS great and who could dare say that Crux Fidelis is simply another hymn?
With the Tridentine Mass the general congregation has no place in singing The Propers of the Mass; reserved as they are exclusively for the men's schola. However, those attending the Mass have been encouraged (by Pope St. Pius X, for example) to join together in song to praise God at this public worship.
To mention the true High Mass or even the Missa Contata: the opening hymn in English for the entrance of the priest & another hymn (again in the language of the population) as the procession exits the church is such a lovely beginning & end to the amazing act in which we participate at the Holy Sacrifice. As we return home, the echoes of 'Hail Holy Queen' or 'Holy God, we praise Thy Name' are further reminders of the glory of the Lord's Day.
One choir master was heard to say: "to sing (at the Mass) is to pray twice!" I imagine the reference was that of the Chant. Would be a real shame to deny Catholics the benefit of those extra prayers by not singing.
The classic Marian hymns and many other hymns are very easy to learn---even in Latin if the congregation is given to hear them often enough.
Sadly the truly talented choir masters, as Catherine perfectly points out, are very rare, indeed. When one does come along, too many times they unwittingly treat the faithful in the pews as unworthy or too untalented to join in with the choir---perhaps an occupational hazard of the artistic genius?
Just as often, among the gifted choral maestri, the music selected (not Chant) is so complicated that it excludes the regular person at Mass from ever singing.
Very sad. How does the populous learn? What will be passed on to the next generation? No longer are children taught these wonderful inspiring simple hymns, certainly not in the public school systems of today.
Worst of all, some congregations (of my knowledge) have been explicitly made to think they must NOT sing anything at the Mass. Too often the processional/recessional hymns are obscure or unknown to the average Catholic, leaving them out again!
Seems one thing might be reiterated, we Catholics do not sing praises to Heaven. Yet in our defense: how can we sing that which we do not know or hear regularly?
We all hope that the future will 'let us joyfully sing to God our Saviour' pslm94 most especially in our most united, public prayer to God: the Holy Mass.....something to look forward to!
Such an enjoyable article, thank you.
The post-conciliar Catholic congregations--that I have witnessed, in the new modernist church of today's Rome seem quite apathetic to the 'liturgical tunes' being performed at these new services. The piano & guitar don't bring any improvement that I can see to that morose lethargy. Perhaps a fitting note on the celebration of new mass as well?
While on the other hand, the beauty, depth & wonder of the traditional Mass is enhanced by the inspired music passed down thru the centuries. St. Gregory WAS great and who could dare say that Crux Fidelis is simply another hymn?
With the Tridentine Mass the general congregation has no place in singing The Propers of the Mass; reserved as they are exclusively for the men's schola. However, those attending the Mass have been encouraged (by Pope St. Pius X, for example) to join together in song to praise God at this public worship.
To mention the true High Mass or even the Missa Contata: the opening hymn in English for the entrance of the priest & another hymn (again in the language of the population) as the procession exits the church is such a lovely beginning & end to the amazing act in which we participate at the Holy Sacrifice. As we return home, the echoes of 'Hail Holy Queen' or 'Holy God, we praise Thy Name' are further reminders of the glory of the Lord's Day.
One choir master was heard to say: "to sing (at the Mass) is to pray twice!" I imagine the reference was that of the Chant. Would be a real shame to deny Catholics the benefit of those extra prayers by not singing.
The classic Marian hymns and many other hymns are very easy to learn---even in Latin if the congregation is given to hear them often enough.
Sadly the truly talented choir masters, as Catherine perfectly points out, are very rare, indeed. When one does come along, too many times they unwittingly treat the faithful in the pews as unworthy or too untalented to join in with the choir---perhaps an occupational hazard of the artistic genius?
Just as often, among the gifted choral maestri, the music selected (not Chant) is so complicated that it excludes the regular person at Mass from ever singing.
Very sad. How does the populous learn? What will be passed on to the next generation? No longer are children taught these wonderful inspiring simple hymns, certainly not in the public school systems of today.
Worst of all, some congregations (of my knowledge) have been explicitly made to think they must NOT sing anything at the Mass. Too often the processional/recessional hymns are obscure or unknown to the average Catholic, leaving them out again!
Seems one thing might be reiterated, we Catholics do not sing praises to Heaven. Yet in our defense: how can we sing that which we do not know or hear regularly?
We all hope that the future will 'let us joyfully sing to God our Saviour' pslm94 most especially in our most united, public prayer to God: the Holy Mass.....something to look forward to!