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Views from the Choir Loft

Permission Needed to Replace the Propers?—(6 of 7)

Cynthia Ostrowski · March 1, 2015

217 Children Beach OU HAVE PROBABLY noticed I don’t weigh in on complex questions of liturgical music. I lack expertise 1 in that area. However, at various times in my life, I’ve attended Mass where the music sounded peculiar. To my ear, it often sounds “secular” (if that makes sense) and inappropriate. The early 2000s—when I attended college—now seem like a different lifetime, but I remember my classmates composing their own songs (with their own lyrics) and performing them during Mass, without any permission from the bishop. They are still doing this, although I have a question about how long they will be considered “hip.”

I may not have grasped the full import of Mr. Craig’s article, but I did read it. From what I can understand, people are replacing the official Church texts without sufficient clearance from the bishop.

I feel relieved, in a certain sense: the instances I mentioned earlier are against the rules. On the other hand, I feel confused: why doesn’t someone put a stop to this? I don’t want my family attending Masses where irreverent songs are used because I believe children instinctively “sense” when the liturgy is not celebrated in a dignified manner.

Where does this need come from; a need for everything to be new and created with haste? Why is so little consideration given to the ancient prayers which served satisfactorily for so many centuries? Like the waves of the ocean, the next generation rises and falls. Before we know it, our children will be running the show. Let’s teach them to value Sacred music treasury extolled by the Second Vatican Council.



NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1   My focus is mainly on religious art and photography—areas in which I do have training.


This article is part of a series:

Part 1 • Richard Clark

Part 2 • Veronica Brandt

Part 3 • Andrew Leung

Part 4 • Dr. Lucas Tappan

Part 5 • Andrew Motyka

Part 6 • Cynthia Ostrowski

Part 7 • Aurelio Porfiri

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Hymns Replacing Propers Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Cynthia Ostrowski

Cynthia Ostrowski holds a bachelor's degree (2005) in Geographic Information Science and a minor in Computer Science from Texas A&M University Corpus Christi.—(Read full biography).

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Alabama Assessment!

We received this evaluation of Symposium 2022 from an Alabama participant:

“Oh, how the Symposium echoed the words of Cardinal Merry Del Val: …choosing only what is most conformed to Thy glory, which is my final aim. In one short and fast paced week, the faculty and attendees showed me the hand of God and our Lady working in our lives. The wide range of education—from Gregorian Chant, jazz modes in organ improvisation, to ‘staying sane’ while leading a choir—were certainly first-class knowledge from the best teachers of the art. However, the most powerful lesson was learning how to pray as a choir. The sacrifice of putting songs together, taking time to learn the sacred text, meditating on the church teaching through the chants, and gaining the virtues required to persevere in these duties were not only qualities of a choir but of a saint. The sanctification of the lives of the attendees was a beautiful outcome of this event … and that in itself is worth more than a beautifully-sung Solesmes style chant!”

—Jeff Ostrowski
PDF Download • Trinity Sunday (22 pages)

Feel free to download this Organ Accompaniment Booklet for Trinity Sunday (Second Vespers). Notice how the modes progress by number. Psalm 1 is mode 1; Psalm 2 is mode 2; Psalm 3 is mode 3; Psalm 4 is mode 4; Psalm 5 is mode 5. I am told by an expert that other feasts (such as Corpus Christi) are likewise organized by mode, and it’s called a “numerical office.”

—Jeff Ostrowski
10 June 2022 • “Official” rhythm of plainsong

I continue to search for the most beautiful way to present the “pure” Editio Vaticana scores. (Technically, the “pure” rhythm of the official edition is what everyone is supposed to use.) You can download my latest attempt, which is the Introit for this coming Sunday: Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. Because this is not an ancient feast, the Introit had to be adapted (perhaps around 750AD). Prior Johner says the adaptation is “not an entirely happy one.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

Legitimate and necessary concern for current realities in the concrete lives of people cannot make us forget the true nature of the liturgical actions. It is clear that the Mass is not the time to “celebrate” human dignity or purely terrestrial claims or hopes. It is rather the sacrifice which renders Christ really present in the sacrament.

— Pope Saint John Paul II (20 March 1990)

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