PopeWatch: Now Read Contemporary Catholic Hymns
- Donald R. McClarey
Donald R. McClarey
Cradle Catholic. Active in the pro-life movement since 1973. Father of three, one in Heaven, and happily married for 43 years. Small town lawyer and amateur historian. Former president of the board of directors of the local crisis pregnancy center for a decade.
City of God would be downright hilarious done in this setting.
Now that’s funny . . . there are some of these “happy clappy” songs I just refuse to sing . . .
The barrel of hell has no bottom.
Lots we could say about this. I recall that I did not learn of Palestrina, Franck, or others until over age 30. Not surprising overall. Society has little patience for contemplation, never mind profound expressions of faith. Accordingly, most churches want to be “approachable” or “personable”. Not archaic.
So, the music becomes oversimplified. .. boring.
Tough to say how that changes in overall society.
Mostly, families seek parishes which dedicate resources to music or have a group of folks who voluntarily dedicate time and effort to being musicians. ..Often both.
Society has little patience for contemplation, never mind profound expressions of faith. Accordingly, most churches want to be “approachable” or “personable”. Not archaic.
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Of what sort of congregations are you thinking? Over 25 years, I’m not sure I’ve seen any indication that anyone fancies post-1965 Catholic hymnody other than the choirmaster, members of the choir, and (arguably) the pastor / administrator.
Art, …that’s a dicey thought.
I wouldn’t say the average parishioner at the average parish exactly fancies post-1965 hymns. Yet I also wouldn’t say the average parishioner seeks anything else.
Partly, they simply don’t know that anyone Palestrina or Franck ever existed. Partly they don’t care so much. A fellow I once knew commented how choirs ought rehearse so they don’t sound terrible. When you mostly don’t want to be uninvited from Mass, you won’t seek the captivating.
For a choir to produce awe-inspiring music, …requires lots of effort.
Most parishes have too little interest in the marvelous for that.
Perhaps that’s changing somewhat. Yet… the average Mass I have attended…has not left me itching to return.
I believe all of the music actually necessary and appropriate for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and the Divine Office was written before the turn of the first millennium A.D. This is not to say that more could not be added, (and much has been added, in fact), but you’ll likely not find it in any of the publications of the “missalette” industrial complex, i.e. OCP, GIA, etc., since most of it is public domain and the publishers cannot collect royalties for it. As usual with the modern Church, follow the money and your questions will be answered.
The 0900 Sunday Mass at Marine Corps Base Quantico was uplifting. Incense for purification of the altar. The priest sang the Gospel. Good Lenten homily. For one hymn multiple stanzas of Stabat Mater were sung. I was surprised to see an altar girl, however the bulletin noted more servers were needed. I was on my way back to the farm and felt blessed that I had chosen to attend that Mass.
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