Whew!

Good thing they aren't allowed to vote, huh?

World wants Obama as president: poll

They want him in office so they can do their bidding with us. Creepy...

Music and Democracy

In the latest issue of Catholic World Report, there is an essay of interest regarding the last 40 years of liturgical music. Joseph P. Swain addresses how music(and actually the liturgy, for that matter) has taken up a democratic approach in both the writing and how it is brought into a parish. Since our Church is not run by a democracy, it is incompatible for any aspect of the faith to be moved through a democratic process or selection, this includes music. Just because the people in the pews in 1974 thought it was "cool" does not mean a form of music was correct or appropriate.

I have often read "polls" where they consider the plainchant/latin/gregorian chant to be ancient music, the Haugen/Hass/SL Jesuits to be "traditional"(cough, hack hack) and the rest contemporary(? I know, I was thinking the same thing) Here is one such poll conducted in a parish: News from the Liturgical War Front What makes a lay person an expert on sacred music, ever? Who is running our Church? Another example can be found here of polling: 'On Eagle's Wings' tops all songs in online liturgical music survey - For Discussion! I really don't care what Stacy from Arlington or Steve from Yonkers thinks should be played at a Mass, it's simply not a decision they should make or we should ask of their opinion. Until the Magisterium takes back the reigns, even to the chagrin of the people, we will never get out of this democratic music trap.

As a body, we no longer value our good musicians who have a respect for the sacred and the history of music in our parishes. I would venture to say in our diocese we may have 3-4 music/choir directors who know what they are doing and respect the liturgy. The majority are people pleasers. If music selection is run by the lay people and the lay people do not know their faith and feel they should "get something" from Mass, we will stay in this pit of hokey-hippydom for a long, long time. Students and professionals who classically train in organ and the classics should be employed by our parishes and be able to make a living serving the Church. The essay pointed out that if we as a parish needed a new roof or foundation, we would not put a notice in the bulletin looking for volunteers. We do that with music, and you get what you pay for.

If majority rules in a parish, it takes the democratization to another level and the priests and bishops will also pander to the masses. The hierarchy need to take back the job of calling the shots on liturgical music and be informed and educated on what constitutes sacred music as well. Just because it is pretty and easy to sing does not deem it appropriate for the supernatural sacredness of the Mass.

In closing, I have to add my favorite comment found at the end of the last linked article.

It's the latest "trend" in Christian music. I call them "Jesus is my boyfriend" songs. Instead of glorifying the Lord.........they are romantic love songs and they turn my stomach.

Uh, yeah. I wholeheartedly agree!

Poll on receiving Communion

Fr. Z has a great poll you can take on how you receive Communion. The results were a bit surprising but I found the poll and comments informative.