Music and the Mass

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Good to Be Back from Vacation!

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Vacation brings new experiences, some better than others.

After a recent vacation, which included attending Mass at a variety of new (to me) Wisconsin Catholic parishes, boy, am I happy to be back at Madison’s Cathedral Parish, where the Mass is the Mass, the music is appropriately solemn and dignified, and the lyrics don’t center on us and on God’s good fortune that we showed up, but on a humble, grateful and reverent attitude towards God.  Thanks Madison’s Bishop Robert Morlino, thanks Abbot Marcel Rooney, thanks Msgr. Holmes, and thanks Dr. Patrick Gorman for making good liturgical music available in Madison!

I have renewed my appreciation for the Catholic Bishops’ efforts to guide music of the Mass– thank you Bishops, forge on!  Your flock is very grateful for your efforts.

Telling God What He Needs to Do

Here is a sample of what I experienced; a Polka Mass, in which both the words (which instruct God to accept us as we are) and the blaring tuba polka beat provided an extreme example of where liturgical music can be taken in the absence of limits (click link for audio):

Polka Mass Audio

We Offer Bread and Wine

We offer bread and wine
To show our love for You
We share this sacred meal
Because You want us to

Lord accept us as we are
For we come from near and far
To worship through Your Son
Children of a sinful race
Who do not seem out of place
But worshiping as one

Our work and joy and pain
We also offer You
Accept our humble gifts
Because we want You to

Lord accept us as we are
For we come from near and far
To worship through Your Son
Children of a sinful race
Who do not seem out of place
But worshiping as one.

We realize that we’re poor
But we offer what we can
Accept our change of heart
Accept our open hand

Lord accept us as we are
For we come from near and far
To worship through Your Son
Children of a sinful race
Who do not seem out of place
But worshiping as one

Now as we celebrate
This sacrament of love
You give yourself to man
A gift from up above

Lord accept us as we are
For we come from near and far
To worship through Your Son
Children of a sinful race
Who do not seem out of place
But worshiping as one

Is Polka Compatible With Prayer?

Polka is not used in the Mass in Europe, but was introduced by some groups in the U.S. in the 1970’s.  The problem with a polka Mass is that “the Mass is the Church’s greatest offering to God and any addition to the Mass itself — such as “Polka,” “Clown,” “Disco” (yes, there have been cases) or any similar extraneous element — reduces its scope and attempts to press it into service for some cause other than the worship of God.” – Zenit  This is true of many of the modern “hymns” that have been introduced into the Mass since the 1970’s – neither the style of music, nor the words are conducive to the worship of God.

Polka Tuba versions of the Gloria, Sanctus, Memorial Acclamation and other Mass parts were also included in the Polka Mass which I accidentally attended (I did not let recording take over all my efforts at Mass, so these did not get recorded).

And yes, there were servers bopping up and down to the foot-tapping beat during the entrance and recessional hymns.

Not only was I unable to focus on the Mass and on prayer, but I was sufficiently shocked to reach into my pocketbook to turn on my iPhone, to record what my ears could not believe they were hearing.  You can actually hear the zipper of my pocketbook in the recording above if you listen carefully.  🙂

Do I have to confess that?

Does a person who attends a Mass, is shocked, and starts playing with their iPhone to record what they are hearing need to confess that?

Innovative liturgical experiments not only detract from the intended humble and reverent atmosphere of the Mass, and distract many from prayer and focus on the purpose of the Mass, but also tempt those many of us who disapprove into sentiments that do not belong in Church: shock, disapproval, annoyance, and supercilious thoughts.

I generally try to avoid such “innovative” Masses, because the disapproving, shocked, judgmental attitude they generate in me is contrary to the purpose of my going to Mass.  I should go to Mass to present myself humbly to God, to ask mercy for my sins, and to receive the graces of the Eucharist, and not to sit in judgment and disdain at the actions and choices of other people.

So one more reason to limit innovations in the Mass- they can drive away Catholics and they can drive Catholics to uncharitable thoughts and attitudes.

Bottom Line: Thanks to all the Good Bishops Who are Working to Restore Humility and Dignity to the Mass!

Your efforts are widely appreciated.