Sacred Music that Serves the Word of God (Part 1)

Father Samuel Weber on Sacred Music Institute

From Zenit:

By Annamarie Adkins

ST. LOUIS, Missouri, JULY 4, 2008 (Zenit.org). Parish music directors -- and congregations -- in the Archdiocese of St. Louis soon will benefit from Archbishop Raymond Burke’s recent initiative: The Institute for Sacred Music.

Archbishop Burke, who has since been named to head the Apostolic Signature, the Church's supreme court, appointed Benedictine Father Samuel Weber as the first director of the new institute earlier this year.

Father Weber is a professor in the divinity school of Wake Forest University in North Carolina and also a monk of the St. Meinrad Archabbey in Indiana.

In Part 1 of this interview with ZENIT, Father Weber discusses how the Institute for Sacred Music will try to restore Gregorian chant’s “pride of place” in the liturgy....

Worst 'Music' Ever?

At two different times, I watched the Papal Mass in Washington (the one where so-called "Catholic" politicians were to commit sacrilege and scandal), and felt embarrassed that such pathetic 'music' was used. It appeared to be an affront to the Holy Father. I believe EWTN Commentator, Father Richard John Neuhaus, called it “multi-cultural exhibitionism” and I whole heartily agree. It was painful to watch. It was less painful when I muted the sound...

I'm not surprised, though, considering who was in charge of the Archdiocese for so many years and who is in charge now...

OCP, however, is proud to be a part of this "exhibitionism":

When the pope celebrates Mass in Washington, D.C., and for nearly every other service during his stay, OCP will be there. Many of the songs selected for use in these special liturgies are published or administered by OCP, including several Spanish and multilingual settings. OCP is honored to be part of this historic visit.

Many Catholics wish OCP wasn't part of anything to do with the Church...

See OCP's Press Release here. It has listed the selections of its music to be used at papal events.

Jan 6, The St Cecilia Choir Presents "A Christmas Recital"

Click picture for a larger view.
This looks to be an uplifting event and an excellent way to celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany!

Sunday, January 6 at 2:00pm
at St Francis de Sales Oratory

Why the Pope is right to purge modern music

Damian Thompson, editor-in-chief of the Catholic Herald, writes:

Church music in Italy is generally atrocious, and the Vatican is no exception.

Since he arrived in Rome nearly 30 years ago, the music-loving Joseph Ratzinger has had to endure the sub-operatic warbling of bad 20th-century music. Now he has had enough.

The Pope, who last year appointed a new choir director of St Peter's, wants Gregorian chant, polyphony and baroque masterpieces to dominate the repertoire in the basilica and the Sistine chapel. And, by making his preferences clear, he is sending out a message to the whole Catholic Church.

But only those with ears to hear will listen, I'm afraid...Be thankful if you live in a diocese where humility, fidelity, and obedience are considered virtues rather than vices. Pray and practice perseverance if you're still waiting.

We are moving into an era of liturgical revolution. Benedict detests the feeble "folk Masses" that have remained the staple fare of Catholic worship long after they went out of musical fashion.

Many of us would claim that we've been enduring a 40-year war and revolution when it comes to liturgical music. What a blessing it would be if the teacings of the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council were truly followed - that of the organ and Gregorian chant holding pride of place in the liturgy. Can this be too much to ask for? Can we not offer to God our best rather than the mediocrity of our "folk masses"?

He wants the Church to rediscover the treasure of its heritage - and that includes Gregorian chant as well as the pre-1970 Latin Mass that can now be celebrated without the permission of bishops.

Treasures, indeed! A restoration of the beauty of our heritage would, I firmly believe, be a welcomed first step in restoring a rightful and necessary awe and reverence to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

The old guard of trendy choir directors and composers (many of whom have signed lucrative contracts with dioceses) will fight his reforms every inch of the way, egged on by philistine bishops.

I hear there is a new "Rock Band" game coming out for Xbox, PS3 and Wii - perhaps no longer needed guitarists, drummers and such can start a new enterprise with contests, prizes, and such - something more suited for their "talents" outside the sanctuary?

The next generation of choir directors have been charged by the Pope with the task of reintroducing beautiful music into church. If they succeed, then at long last the pews may begin to fill up again.

It would certainly help - It's shameful that so many offer to God, not the best, but that which is mundane, not the 'first fruits' but the leftovers of the hippie generations, where anyone who could play a couple of guitar chords or beat the bongos could "perform" or (actively participate) at a parish Mass...

A seemingly growing number of faithful Catholics are finding (or have found) parishes where Holy Mass is celebrated absent any music - which is a welcomed respite from having to endure the pain of listening to today's "guitar heroes".

The sooner the Holy Father's restoration of Sacred Music comes about, the better - it will help in the restoration of the majesty of the most precious sacrament Christ gave us and it will allow us to truly offer to God our best!

New Musical Season Opens at the Vatican – And Here's the Program

Pope Ratzinger seems to be stepping up the tempo. The curia will have a new office with authority in the field of sacred music. And the choir of the Sistine Chapel is getting a new director

by Sandro Magister

"...the institution, in the Roman curia, of an office endowed with authority in the area of sacred music"....?

Sacred Music: an integral part of the solemn liturgy

In his brief address Benedict XVI highlighted the fact that sacred music, as Vatican Council II had made clear, "is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art. The main reason for this pre-eminence is that, as sacred song united to the words, it forms a necessary or integral part of the solemn liturgy."

John Paul II, said Pope Benedict, "observed that today, as always, three characteristics distinguish sacred music: its 'sanctity,' its 'true art,' and its 'universality,' in other words the fact that it can be presented to any people or assembly.