Guitars & Chant
For today I am at a joyful St. Patrick's Day Party, sponsored by Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 14 from Richmond Hill, Queens, NY. Unfortunately it also means that I had to go to Mass in Queens in order to be at the Party, being held at The Irish American Cultural Center on Willis Avenue in Mineola, the County Seat of Nassau County in the Town of North Hempstead, NY.
Usually, I attend Mass at St. Agnes on East 43 Street in Midtown Manhattan, not far from the United Nations. There, Mass begins with the Chanting in Plainsong of the Opening Antiphon, the 1st 2 or 3 Verses of a Stately Hymn, the Kyrie is chanted in Greek, the Sanctus, and Agnus Dei are sung in Latin and the Communion Antiphon is chanted in Latin. The closing hymn is sung. At Communion Time, one either receives in a queue or kneeling at the Altar Rail. To me and many others who head to East 43 Street, it is a stark departure from Catholic Liturgy with Banal Music. In short, I am NOT a Fan of Folk Masses.
The 5:15 PM Mass at St. Agnes is something I look forward to. Alas, this was not the case today.
Please Spare Me. Procession, with "Amazing Grace" was fine, but Guitars and Wee Ones I find are not a good mix in Catholic Liturgy.
The music which followed was "Haugen-Haas" Banal. Not that the Children were all that bad which they weren't but I am not a fan of Folk Masses, PERIOD.
The 5:15PM, in all the beauty, only lasts between 43 & 50 minutes. The 12:00Noon Mass lasted 1:20, what with announcements and banal music and the Sign Of Peace. At East 43 Street, the Agnus Dei starts immediately after the Sign of Peace, which means the greetings are held to an absolute minimum. During Holy Communion, only the Antiphon is sung and it is sung in Latin.
Though there is something encouraging to witness, in that Real Confessionals have been installed and the Tabernacle has returned to the Centre of The Altar. But, Guitars don't belong at Mass. They do belong at parties, especially today's AOH Division 14 Party, strummed by Thomas Mulvehill.
The Pez Report
Usually, I attend Mass at St. Agnes on East 43 Street in Midtown Manhattan, not far from the United Nations. There, Mass begins with the Chanting in Plainsong of the Opening Antiphon, the 1st 2 or 3 Verses of a Stately Hymn, the Kyrie is chanted in Greek, the Sanctus, and Agnus Dei are sung in Latin and the Communion Antiphon is chanted in Latin. The closing hymn is sung. At Communion Time, one either receives in a queue or kneeling at the Altar Rail. To me and many others who head to East 43 Street, it is a stark departure from Catholic Liturgy with Banal Music. In short, I am NOT a Fan of Folk Masses.
The 5:15 PM Mass at St. Agnes is something I look forward to. Alas, this was not the case today.
Please Spare Me. Procession, with "Amazing Grace" was fine, but Guitars and Wee Ones I find are not a good mix in Catholic Liturgy.
The music which followed was "Haugen-Haas" Banal. Not that the Children were all that bad which they weren't but I am not a fan of Folk Masses, PERIOD.
The 5:15PM, in all the beauty, only lasts between 43 & 50 minutes. The 12:00Noon Mass lasted 1:20, what with announcements and banal music and the Sign Of Peace. At East 43 Street, the Agnus Dei starts immediately after the Sign of Peace, which means the greetings are held to an absolute minimum. During Holy Communion, only the Antiphon is sung and it is sung in Latin.
Though there is something encouraging to witness, in that Real Confessionals have been installed and the Tabernacle has returned to the Centre of The Altar. But, Guitars don't belong at Mass. They do belong at parties, especially today's AOH Division 14 Party, strummed by Thomas Mulvehill.
The Pez Report
Labels: Catholic Faith
posted by Michael Leggett at 9:43 PM
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