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Views from the Choir Loft

Liturgy And Our Television Age

Jeff Ostrowski · November 2, 2012

HE OTHER DAY, I conceived of a theory (conclusion?) I wish to share. It was regarding the capacity of the modern Catholic to understand Liturgy. In particular, I asked myself whether we have reached a point of our “television culture” where everything is so informal and unstructured that any notion of dignified, proper Liturgical actions at Mass are lost. Perhaps the kind reader will allow me to explain.

First of all, we never discuss politics on the CCW Blog, because talking politics is not our calling: it is not something we focus on. When it comes to politics, all we really feel called to share is that the life issues are paramount for us. In other words, we must always promote what Pope John Paul II called a “Culture of Life” and do what we can to stop the murder of the innocent. This is very important.

In spite of this, I hope the reader will permit me to mention a small bit about politics, because it is impossible for me to make my point otherwise. I happened to see a section from one of the National Conventions on YouTube, where Cardinal Timothy Dolan was giving an important closing prayer for the convention. Hopefully my memory of the event is correct (my memory is not always reliable). To put it mildly, I was appalled.

First of all, the Cardinal was introduced by the Speaker of the House, who seemed to me (without question) to be drunk. For myself, I don’t drink, so I’m not an expert in this area, but I really felt that he was severely intoxicated, which I find scandalous. Drinking to excess is a sin. Furthermore, the Cardinal was trying to start the prayer, but the lights, sound, and special effects wouldn’t let him. (* Note this point) He just stood there, patiently waiting, and looking really foolish as balloons were coming down from the ceiling. Finally, he got sick of waiting (I, frankly, would have simply walked off the stage) and started the prayer. Nobody payed attention. Eventually, some of them stopped what they were doing and paid attention. It was a mess.

Why I am relating these events? Because I feel it gives us a clue why our liturgies have reached the point they have. We no longer seem to appreciate any sense of propriety, dignity, respectful behavior, “ordered movement” if you will. (In the liturgy, things must be done in a reverent, orderly way.)

I wonder if the constant and relentless “television society” has contributed to this. Have you noticed that absolutely everything is shown on television these days? Even the most intimate and private things are shown. Bad and ugly behavior is shown. Childish actions are glorified. There are even numerous shows that are “reality shows” or take you “behind the scenes,” so you see your favorite actors doing things that make you lose respect for them. Whose idea was this? It seems to me that in the old days they had a better sense of what types of things ought to be shown . . . and how they should be presented. I have reached a point where I will not watch television in public anymore: I’m just too embarrassed for the human race. In private I will watch Brother Cadfael movies, early episodes of Andy Griffith, documentaries about famous musicians, or other well-produced things. (And, ever since we started having kids, I cannot even remember the last time I watched anything!).

When people become accustomed to seeing sick, perverse, childish, ridiculous presented on the television screen, perhaps we should not be surprised that our liturgies are not dignified and reverent. Furthermore, showing intimate and special things on television really does “cheapen” life.

I hope that Corpus Christi Watershed can always continue to “build up” the culture, and be a real force for what is true, good, holy, and beautiful.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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Jeff Ostrowski

About Jeff Ostrowski

Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004). He resides with his wife and children in Los Angeles.—(Read full biography).

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Can You Spare 33 Seconds?

Here’s an audio excerpt (33 seconds) of a setting for Kyrie VIII which was recorded live last Sunday at our parish in Los Angeles. The setting (“Missa de Angelis”) is by composer Richard Rice, and you can download the free PDF if you click here and scroll to the bottom. I think Richard’s composition is marvelous. I missed a few notes on the organ, but I’ll get them right next time.

—Jeff Ostrowski
5 April 2021 • When Girls Sing

Covid restrictions here in California are still extremely severe—switching “two weeks to flatten the curve” into “two years to flatten the curve.” Since 2020, we’ve had police breaking into our church to check if everyone is wearing a mask…even when only 5-6 people are present! But we were allowed to have a small percentage of our singers back on Easter Sunday, and here is their live recording of the ancient Catholic hymn for Eastertide: Ad Cenam Agni Providi. The girls were so very excited to sing again—you can hear it in their voices!

—Jeff Ostrowski
29 March 2021 • FEEDBACK

“E.S.” in North Dakota writes: “I just wanted to take a moment to say THANK YOU for all the hard work you have put—and continue to put—into your wonderful website. In the past two years, my parish has moved from a little house basement into a brand new church and gone from a few families receiving Low Masses twice a month to several families (and many individuals) receiving Mass every Sunday, two Saturdays a month, and every Holy Day. Our priest has been incorporating more and more High Masses and various ceremonies into our lives, which has made my job as a huge newbie choir master very trying and complicated. CCWatershed has been an invaluable resource in helping me get on my feet and know what to do!!! Thank you more than I can express! May God bless you abundantly and assist you in your work and daily lives!”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

Far from dreading an encounter with the Iroquois, Fr. Garnier often told us he would be quite content to fall into their hands and remain their prisoner if—while they were torturing him—he at least had a chance of instructing them as long as his torments lasted. If they allowed him to live, it would afford him a golden opportunity to work for their conversion, which was now impossible, since the gateway to their country was closed as long as they were our enemies.

— Father Ragueneau (Jesuit Relations)

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