I left this comment in response to this article by Shawn Tribe on "The New Liturgical Movement":
First a snip of a comment by Andrew:
"But, how about one for every diocese in the US? in the world? And what if all of these Societies in the US came together to put together a truly Catholic hymnbook with Gregorian chant, etc.?"
To which I replied:
Doubtful it will happen, but definitely a great idea. That's why it most likely won't happen. *sigh*
I can picture the best of Worship II, the best of Collegeville, the best of Adoremus, and of course, the Gregorian Missal, as a major part of such a project.
It might just take PEOPLE LIKE US, yes, us, the authors, readers, and supporters of this here blog and others like it, to take up such a project. Then we, as a group, could take finished product thereof right to the BCL for approval.It's an idea anyways. :-D
Another commenter mentioned that he had started a "sacred music society" in his parish. Response amongst his parishioners is a bit slow for now, but the pastor is supportive. Maybe with a cool catchy name it will attract. There's the "Holy Name Society", the "Men of St. Joseph", etc. How about it? The SAINT CECILIA SOCIETY!
At the end of each rehearsal, our choir prays together the prayer "Come, Holy Spirit, come by the means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, your well-beloved spouse", along with the Hail Mary and the Glory Be to the Father. To finish I lead a mini-litany:
St. Cecilia: pray for us.
St. Benedict: pray for us.
St. Augustine: pray for us.
St. Gregory: pray for us.
St. Basil: pray for us.
St. Michael: pray for us.
St. Pius X: pray for us.
Cecilia, of course, is the patroness of sacred music. Benedict, named after our Pope, and we all know his views on liturgy. Augustine coined the phrase Those who sing, pray twice. The remaining four all have hymnals named after them. Only the St. Michael Hymnal is a post-Conciliar hymnal, but, on the most part, a very good one.
Prayer is always helpful. How about the Novena for Renewal of the Sacred Liturgy?
Peace,
BMP
2 comments:
Haha! Wow, I didn't know I had so much influence.
When you think about it, it really IS a good idea Andrew. Further comments will indicate that the priest should take the initiative. Fr. McAfee is proof of that. However, it's with a heavy heart that I have to say that priests like Fr. McAfee, Fr. Keyes, and my own pastor, Fr. Finelli, are still more of the exception than the norm. We need more like these to be the norm. Until that happens, we as musicians and such who support the "reform of the reform" cannot exactly rely on the majority of priests holding back to turn around and suddenly follow suit.
Working toward a common goal, I remain,
+In Christ,
BMP
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