Letter to the Editor

Published: June 23, 2005

To the Editor:

Regarding Mr. Louden’s recent letter, I appreciate his concern for music that encourages participation of the congregation. I grew up in a “holy roller” Pentecostal church with a great choir and lots of hand clapping, and that is what drew me to the worship at a Life Teen Mass, and helped me be open to the Catholic Church.

I write to address the idea that Mozart or chant cannot, in this day, lead to “sung response from the assembly.” I now attend a parish closer to home and notice how the “O Salutaris Hostia” sung after daily Mass and exposition draws heartfelt, tearful participation and the “Regina Caeli” so beautifully intoned during the Easter season brought cries of joy from my then 5-year-old daughter, who had recently learned it and loves it for its beautiful words to our Blessed Mother. The first time I heard the “Tantum Ergo” on Holy Thursday, it knocked me to my knees. The songs I grew up with and sang at the teen Mass bring lots of good feelings and foster praise, but the ancient hymns of the church bring deep, meditative prayer and changes from the very core of my being.

I do think every parish has the obligation to offer some hymns in the traditional form, in the traditional language of the church, so that all Catholics grow up at least familiar with the history and beauty of our timeless musical tradition, can participate in multi-national liturgies, learn the sublime truths contained in the words, and be a part of something that is objectively beautiful.

When congregations are taught what the words mean and given ample opportunity to become familiar with the music, both contemporary and traditional music give rise to the soul being lifted to heaven. Both can lead to hearty participation.

The Second Vatican Council was so right to search for ways in which the church could better speak to the modern world. But it wisely chose not to throw out the “baby with the bathwater.” The Council Fathers reminded us that the use of Latin “is to be preserved,” that “the musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art,” and that “the Church acknowledges Gregorian chant as specially suited to the Roman liturgy: therefore, other things being equal, it should be given pride of place in liturgical services” (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy). There’s no reason why, with multiple Masses offered at most parishes, we can’t fulfill this Vatican II mandate in at least one of them.

Joselyn Schutz, Via e-mail