Bishop Alexander Sample seems to be serious about the reform of liturgical music in his diocese (Marquette, Michigan).
Here’s an excerpt from his article, “A
Liturgical Quiz and An Invitation” at the website of the Diocese of Marquette
newspaper. This article is in the May 14, 2012 edition of the paper, so it’s “old
news” at this point, but it still is an example of what can be done about
liturgical music.
The article starts out:
I propose a brief quiz on the
Sacred Liturgy. Answer true or false to the following statements: 1) Vatican II
changed the language of the Mass from Latin to the vernacular (in our case,
English). 2) Vatican II replaced the signing of Gregorian chant at Mass with
more contemporary vernacular music.
If you answered “true” to one
or both of these statements, you should hear a buzzer going off right now
indicating at least one incorrect answer. I am sure that this will come as a
surprise to many…
He then quotes relevant paragraphs from Sacrosanctum Concilium as evidence that Latin and Gregorian chant
were never diminished in value, and that “these guiding statements from Vatican
II have not been fully adhered to, and have sometimes simply been ignored.”
Bishop Sample adds:
Just on the issue of singing
Gregorian chant at Mass, far from enjoying a “pride of place” in the liturgy,
when was the last time you heard it sung or sang it yourself at Mass? Surely “pride
of place” means more than an occasional sung Sanctus or Agnus Dei.
After assuring his readers that he is not proposing a “simple
return to all Latin and Gregorian chant in the Mass”, he says:
What I am saying is that, in
our ongoing efforts to renew and reform the Sacred Liturgy, we need to go back
to the sources that gave us the direction for liturgical renewal, especially
the actual Vatican II document on the Liturgy…[W]e need to interpret the
liturgical reforms called for by Vatican II in light of the whole liturgical
tradition of the Church, as an organic development, and not a break with the
past.
This especially applies to the
area of music in the Sacred Liturgy. Let’s face it, in most places liturgical
music has become simply selecting the four hymns for Mass (entrance, offertory,
communion, and recessional). Many might be surprised to learn that this is not at
all our liturgical tradition and is not what was envisioned by Vatican II. But
that is what we have become used to.
The Church’s tradition actually
calls for us to “sing the Mass,” not sing “at” Mass. The texts of the Mass
given in the Missal are meant to be sung. Instead we often just paste on the
four hymns which may or may not related to the actual texts of the Mass. Not
sure what this means? Read on!
And Bishop Sample had a plan: he invited all to attend a
two-day workshop on Sacred Music, which was apparently held last June.
I don’t know anything about the workshop – what was covered,
how many attended, or whether parishes are changing their approach to
liturgical music – but I do know that Bishop Sample posted the following
advertisement on his Face
Book page (my emphases):
I am
posting HERE my advertisement for the position of Diocesan/Cathedral Director
of Sacred Music. Pass the word to those who might be interesting and who might
"fit the bill":
POSITION OPENING: FULL-TIME DIOCESAN/CATHEDRAL DIRECTOR OF SACRED MUSIC
POSITION OPENING: FULL-TIME DIOCESAN/CATHEDRAL DIRECTOR OF SACRED MUSIC
The
Catholic Diocese of Marquette in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is seeking a
full-time Diocesan Director of Sacred Music/Cathedral Director of Sacred Music.
Time will be split between directing St. Peter Cathedral’s sacred music program
and leading the diocesan effort to renew
and reform sacred music as detailed in the bishop’s directives on sacred
music, which seek to implement the Church’s authentic discipline regarding
sacred music as outlined in official Church documents. Qualifications include fidelity to Church teaching and discipline,
proficiency in organ, and knowledge of
Gregorian chant. Applicants must be able to work well with choirs, cantors
and other musicians and possess the patience necessary to teach others, leading them gradually to a full
understanding of sacred music in Catholic worship. Full time compensation
and benefits will be commensurate with applicant’s educational and work
experience. Please send cover letter, resume and references to: Office of the
Bishop, Diocese of Marquette, 1004 Harbor Hills Drive, Marquette, MI 49855.
Deadline for submitting applications is November 15, 2012.
It would be nice to see
this sort of thing happening in more than one diocese!
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