My husband and I are fairly new in the area and the Visitation Church , and are still wondering whether to register as parishioners. The reason?
The applause we have been hearing in church at the Saturday 4 pm Mass, after a cantor's particularly beautiful rendition of a hymn, or after the ending hymn - is not only annoying, but spiritually disturbing. It seems that people's reactions are more in tune with the superficial entertainment aspects, rather than to the real liturgical feeding of their soul, spirit, mind, heart and being.
I wonder if Pastors or Parish Priests discuss this phenomenon as an issue to be dealt with? If they do, it certainly does not appear in Church Bulletins or Newsletters. We never read Bishop's instructions on liturgical rubrics. Perhaps this dumbing down of the laity and decreasing Mass attendance, is due to the failure of recognition and perception of the presence of the Body of Christ in our churches at all times. Children learn from their parents. And if no one is learning, is it because no one is teaching? In the directive "Go and teach all nations," do we need to be away from home to start?
So, my question is, is there an awareness of where the tabernacle is, and whether there is proper respect toward Christ in the tabernacle? It seems to me that some people are viewing the Mass as a source of entertainment. If entertainment is something that gives one diversion or amusement or an exhibition of some kind, then I do not think proper attitude of veneration is afforded during participation in the Mass. Actually, the height of worship can be reached in silence, although the sound of sacred music can aid us in lifting our heart and focusing on God. This is pleasing to the senses, but when the congregation bursts into applause, then it ceases to be an accompaniment to our worship and focuses on our being entertained.
Equally horrendous is the loud conversations in church just before Mass. From the moment we enter church, usually 20 minutes before the start of the Mass - there is constant sound and lack of proper reverence for the tabernacle by some who do not genuflect or bow their head in respect. People in the pews chatter, many with loud voices, as if they were in an auditorium or restaurant. All this noise is distracting and makes me feel as if I am attending a theatre performance, rather than a religious service to revere and pay homage to God.
Unfortunately, passing judgment winds up being as destructive of worship as liturgical abuses. But, I have to express the fact that I want to share myself with Jesus, not be entertained by liturgical abuses with inaccurate renderings of rubrics. Church is for worship, which includes respect, awe and veneration. Going into church requires a transition from our everyday lives with the hypnotic magnetic pull that modern entertainment has upon our minds and hearts. It requires an act of our will prompted by love of God to prepare ourselves mentally and spiritually for Saturday/Sunday worship, and such preparation is exactly what our God deserves. E.S.
Eleanor,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your submission and I will post it to the BLOG and the website next weekend.
I am part of the choir and the Music Ministry. I know that Natalya our Music Director has on several occasions instructed the congregation not to applaud the music and the cantors in particular are usually embarrassed when applause does occur. I think Natalya is speaking at all the masses about implementing the revised General Instructions for the Roman Mass (GIRM). There is an article on the Theological intent of the revisions which you might find interesting see http://www.usccb.org/liturgy/girm/theo.shtml
It’s a lengthy article but 2 paragraphs of interest are:
Silence
The Instruction’s section on sacred silence has been expanded, recommending that “even before the celebration itself, it is commendable that silence to be observed in the church, in the sacristy, in the vesting room, and in adjacent areas, so that all may dispose themselves to carry out the sacred action in a devout and fitting manner.” (45) Admonishing that the Liturgy of the Word “must be celebrated in such a way as to promote meditation,” (56) the Instruction cautions against “any kind of haste which impedes recollection” and recommends brief moments of silence throughout the liturgy, especially after the readings and the homily so that the word of God may be “taken into the heart by the fostering of the Holy Spirit.” (56)
Music
Following an introduction almost identical to the 1975 edition which commends and contextualizes sacred music at Mass, (40) the new Instruction recalls that liturgical law requires the use of music on Sundays and Holy Days of obligation, but the complete absence of singing on weekdays should be guarded against. (40) A re-emphasis on the privileged place of Gregorian chant as “more proper to the Roman liturgy” is included, though “other types of sacred music, in particular polyphony are in no way excluded, provided that they correspond to the spirit of the liturgical action and that they foster the participation of all the faithful.” (41)
A preference for singing many parts of the Mass is expressed in the new Instruction by the introduction of the phrase “is either sung or recited” at the profession of faith (137), the Lamb of God (155), Preface (216), the Kyrie (125) and the Gloria. (126) The priest should be ready to sing those parts of the liturgy that pertain to him.
Songs or hymns may never be substituted for either the Agnus Dei or the other chants of the Mass. (366) Finally, more specific direction for the use of the organ during Advent (used with moderation) and Lent (permitted for accompanying sustained singing) is included. (313
I know that for the last 2 years there has been an emphasis on pausing for reflection between readings during the Liturgy of the Word.
I know that those of us that are active in the various liturgical ministries have been instructed in the very same things that you raise. You are probably right in thinking it is time for more attention to be given to informing the General population. Maybe beteen Natalya’s talks and your BLOG post we can make a few steps in the right direction.
Lou Barbuscio
Thank you so much. I am encouraged by your response. The article on Theological Intent indeed is quite lengthy (16 pages to be exact), but I do intend to read all of it. But you know, instructions, rules, regulations, teachings, limits, etc. - call it what you will - are good and necessary, but people have a tendency to ignore such things. So, it will be interesting to see how these changes will be implemented and ultimately accepted.
ReplyDeleteSincerely, E. Sydlo
Love to see our Pastor's comment on this. I will clap only after the end of mass and hymm is done. I do not walk out like many during last hymm. Nor do I speak loudly before mass. Maybe we all have to pray for each other and that everyone finds God and learns to respect his church.
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteWell maybe not the Pastor but Natalya our Choir director attended a conference regarding the implementation of the changes referred to above. She has been on the agenda to speak at all masses for 4 weeks but keeps getting bumped (missionary nun, Diocesan announcements, Deacon Brad leaving. Hopefully we will get to hear from her and she will address this topic.
When I am moved by the word of God, spoken or sung, I laugh; and/or get teary eyed. I’m so filled with his love that I can’t hold it in. Living in a community with many different people means loving all God’s children and accepting those differences. There are plenty of things we all can nit pick about. But in the grand scheme of things, do you really think God is getting mad at those who need to show their affection of the word/music by clapping? Yes, if it’s done just because the cantor’s voice is pleasing, then maybe their spiritual path is one of inexperience and innocence. We all have different stages in faith through out our lives. I don’t want to mock them for that. Who are we to be judgmental about the way someone worships? If something as insignificant as the joy of clapping will keep you from joining our family, then I can't see you being satisfied anywhere.
ReplyDeleteCan Visitation PLEASE consider joining Face Book? I see there is one for a certain age group but feel that is discriminatory. I also don’t see any announcements from it. It would be so great and extremely convenient to receive announcements and updates via Face Book posts. Visitation is my community and very important to me and my family. We would love if Visitation reached out to us during the week.
ReplyDeleteExample: If I was reminded to bring in canned goods for the food pantry before I left for church or the night before, I would have made sure I brought in a donation. Unfortunately, it does me no good to be told when I’m sitting in the pew that they are collection at the doors after mass.
If it was mentioned to me in the afternoon to attend a meeting for the carnival or retreat for volunteers; then I would go right from work.
I work very hard during the week and am normally mentally exhausted. I can’t remember what was said last week during announcements. And as well meaning as taking a bulletin and reading it through out the week is, it just never happens.
It would also be extremely helpful if we can purchase tickets for church events over the web with a debt card. I still haven’t signed up for the Wine Tasting and would have liked to have done so now or when I was doing my bills the other day.
Thank you so much for hearing my request. God bless.
why are these blogs so old? Almost a year ago.
ReplyDelete