Posted on 06/26/2006 11:48:53 AM PDT by FJ290
Vatican City, 26 June (AKI) - Pope Benedict XVI has called for traditional sacred music to be played during mass, condemning the ongoing custom of contemporary music at religious celebrations. "Updating sacred music is possible, but this cannot happen unless it follows the tradition of Gregorian chants or sacred polyphony," the pontiff said on Sunday on the sidelines of a concert in the Sistine Chapel. A skilled pianist with a predilection for Bach and Mozart, Benedict XVI spoke against a custom reportedly appreciated by his more informal predecessor John Paul II, who worked very hard throughout his papacy to make the Church more appealing to the younger generations.
In an interview published in Turin-daily La Stampa on Monday, the former Archbishop of Ravenna, veteran Cardinal Ersilio Tonini also condemned the practice saying that "Benedict XVI is right, mass is a meeting with God and to meet God sacred music is better than the turmoil of electric guitars, hand clapping and the husstle and bustle of disorderly sounds."
Tonini said that 40 years ago after the Second Vatican Council "making mass more popular and inviting could be understood." However, the cardinal added, "we exaggerated and now I believe it is legitimate to consider as over this season of breaks with tradition."
as an evangelical, i ask the congregation don't applaud me but give glory to God
I have to agree. Pop music, especially the insipid pieces that pass for sacred music stink.
It's just bad. Bad music. Bad lyrics that mangle the Psalms. Bad tempo. And my very pet peeve, the 1/2 key that the choirs are usually off.
What Parish do you belong to?
Wonderful! This is a really forthright statement!
...but this cannot happen unless it follows the tradition of Gregorian chants or sacred polyphony," the pontiff said...I know what polyphony is, but what is sacred polyphony?
Cordially,
Shouldn't this thread be in Religion?
Good he's right! : )
I love the traditional music that's part of the Catholic service where the priest sings part of the service. I know that I'm not describing it correctly--and I'm not Catholic. But it's lovely.
The 4:50 Virgil Mass is the guitar Mass. I avoid it like the plague
No doo-wops?
Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.
Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD. - Psalms 150:1-6
Ain't that the God's Honest Truth!
St. Margaret-Mary in Terre Haute
I don't remember reading right there in the Bible "Rapping for Jesus" or "Rocking and Rolling for Jesus."
Sadly, you're the exception. Too many masses are being overrun by the choirs. It's a major pet peeve of mine...
I hate those teen Masses!! It is ALL entertainment....the parents should have taught them why they attend Church...hint...it's NOT to be entertained.....plus it's a MORTAL sin not to go to Mass, so why should they have to be enticed???
Thanks...I hope I never have to attend there. I have been going to a Latin Mass....it makes you REALLY concentrate ON the MASS, NOT on the Music, musicians, or singers.
Much of the contemporary music is great, but a lot of it is sentimental slop. I became a Christian in college, and attended a Baptist church where the worship music was from the hymnal, and I was exposed to the compositions of Isaac Watts, Charles Wesley, and Francis Ridley Havergal. A lot of the music in the hymnal was sentimental slop too, but much of the contemporary music amounts to "Jesus is my boyfriend, I love him so...", and this makes me cringe. A worship service shouldn't make people cringe.
We have the EXACT same breakdown at my parish. The 9 A.M. folk mass (w/drums) has dwindled considerably. The 7:30 a.m. lone cantor and the 10:30 classical choir are packed.
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