US Bishops to consider revisions for regulating liturgical music

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Comments: 5

Washington D.C., Oct 10, 2007 / 10:53 am (CNA).- A document regulating music at Mass will be presented for approval to the United States Council of Catholic Bishops at their Fall General Assembly in Baltimore.

Bishop Donald Trautman, outgoing chairman of the Bishops’ Committee on the Liturgy, wrote that the document “represents a significant rethinking of the structure and substance of what needs to be said about this important aspect of the liturgical renewal,”

The document, titled "Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship," expands upon the judgments to be applied in the use of music in the Liturgy. The judgments focus upon the liturgical, pastoral, and musical appropriateness of musical works. The document also explores the role of the composer, music in the celebration of sacraments, instrumentation, language and cultural issues, technology, copyrights and participation aids.

The document is a revision of a text first published in 1967 and revised for the first time in 1972. The newest revision includes a reflection on Redemptionis Sacramentum, a 2004 document from the Congregation for Divine Worship that concerns respect for the Holy Eucharist. The revision introduces the concept of "progressive solemnity" as a guide to choosing proper music for the Mass. It is a product of extensive consultation with musicians, composers and others involved in liturgy and music from throughout the United States.

The bishops' meeting will also consider approving new liturgical books and revisions of the translation of Sunday and Weekday Mass readings for Lent.

Comments: 5

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Mike
Fort Worth TX 10/30/2009 05:56 PM EST

I'm with you, Mary. Have you found even one Novus Ordo Mass in the Fort Worth Diocese that is even in the ballpark of following the rules? The only one I can tolerate is the Tridentine Mass by the FSSP at St. Mary on Magnolia St.

Published by: Patty
Columbus Ohio USA 09/20/2009 01:28 PM EST

"Catholic" means all-inclusive. Just as some people feel more worshipful hearing organ music and solemn Latin chant so others feel when hearing stringed instruments and rhythm. Bearing in mind that in the time Jesus walked the earth there were no pipe organs, let us be open to joyful noises of all kinds and not condemn each other over petty things.

Published by: Dan in Calgary
Calgary Alberta Canada 10/12/2007 09:25 AM EST

Will this be the first baby step to rescuing our Liturgy from the scourges of the 3-chord guitar pickers (and other assorted random noise makers)? Will we finally start putting real singing and musical art back into the Liturgy? Will the huge sums of money paid to the hymn-spammers at GIA and OCP finally come under scrutiny?

Let us all pray for the restoration of artful sung music in our Liturgy, the restoration of a singing culture in North America, and banishment of the noise makers.

Dan in Calgary

Published by: marysuefoushee
KY 10/11/2007 04:19 PM EST

AMEN AMEN to the remark above. We are so tired of jumpy beats and banal music on guitars and amplified keyboards. Our church has a pipe organ in the loft, but it is silent most masses. I play it about once a month - when I am "allowed." But will the bishops really do something or will they put out a 40-page document that is non-binding???

Published by: Mary
Fort Worth, TX USA 10/10/2007 01:33 PM EST

I hope they throw out the guitar masses and the rock music that no one can sing.

What's wrong with a few Latin hymns? Or the old standbys like "Holy God We Praise Thy Name?" instead of the forgettable stuff we try to sing today.

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