One thing I did notice was how much better dressed people were for mass down there than up here. Men wore jackets and ties and women conservatively stylish. Even the young were not dressed as if they were headed for the playground. For the record, I was at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Ft. Walton Beach, a lovely church and seemed like a vibrant parish. The large church was completely full.
In addition what struck me was that they sang the Lamb of God in Latin,
which was a nice change. I enjoyed it
and would like my parish to take it up. While
I’m not a fan of the Latin Mass (see this post) adding a touch of Latin makes it more
interesting.
Here is the Agnus Dei chanted.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona nobis pacem.
In English:
Lamb of God, you who take away the sins of the world, have mercy upon
us.
Lamb of God, you who take away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
Lamb of God, you who take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.
Manny, Manny, Manny! Latin and Greek ordinaries are the way to bring some reverence back to the Novus Ordo Mass. We sing the Kyrie (Greek) and the folks are learning the Gloria and Sanctus melodies so we can transition to Latin by Holy Week. The changes I've made have been amazingly well received. When we get a regular accompanist, then we'll mix it up a little more with some contemporary stuff. I do wish we had access to the Extraordinary Form Mass because it is very beautiful and interesting!
ReplyDeleteHI Jan! I am kind of surprised your church is now incorporating Latin mass parts. With the dawn of Pope Francis, the pastor at my parish have gone back to all English everything, even the Benediction songs, which we had always sung in Latin, even pre-Benedict!
DeleteBut that's great that you have that taste in your masses. I am attending an EF and am constantly amazed at the wealth of music, even for the ordinaries, that they come up with. I don't think I have ever heard anything twice!
Hey Kelly:) Well, the nice thing about living in a rural parish is that we aren't swayed by popular sentiment, mostly because that wind never reaches us- haha. Over the last two years I have discovered an incredible resurgence of Gregorian chant worldwide; and it isn't just the fogeys! Young people are claiming chant as they strive to find reverence and relevance in the Faith and Church. Not to mention, regardless of papal preferences, chant is still to be given "pride of place" in the liturgy; that was kind of brushed under the table after VII. It is great fun to sing and has been edifying for me, if you can believe that ANYTHING could be! ;-)
ReplyDeleteI agree Jan, adding Latin here and there is a way to make it more reverant. I don't know how much is too much. Given that I'm usually only in one parish, I don't get to sample what other churches are doing.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post Manny. This song Agnus Dei has brought me down memory lane and opened up brain cells that I had forgotten. You see in the late fifties, I use to serve High Mass as a young altar boy and I sang this songs during all Masses.
ReplyDeleteYou opened up memories of some of what I did while serving for our priest, Father Francis. Back then, I recall having to turn pages for our priest and I brought the water and wine to our priest and if I remember correctly, he would put the wine in the chalice and I was responsible for putting a little water in the wine. I recall an incident which I find a little funny now where I did not put enough water in his wine and he was a little upset about it. Back then, every one had to kneel to receive the Body of Christ on their tongue and I had to make sure that if a host fell, I had to catch it.
Longer story short, I recall when they started making changes in the early sixties and there was nothing I could do about it and it seemed that I eventually did not have as much to do while facing our audience. I guess that my soul and/or spirit must have been more disappointed that I was cause I started steeling dollars. It was a dollar on three occasion and long story short, on my third occasions one of Saint Francis Cells looked me in the eyes and simply said in French, "Victor! "There's a LOT of hypocrite in this world" but God Bless his soul, he never put me on the spot and longer story short, I've never forgot those words which help me a great deal as I was growing up.
I'll close by saying that I think that too many changes came about too fast which I guess allowed Satan to move into our churches and now has U>S (usual sinners) really confused as to what is really a sin nowadays. (lol)
Thanks for the patient Manny
God Bless
You're welcome. I was too young to see the transition from the Latin Mass. I've wondered how I would have reacted under such a shock to tradition.
DeleteYou make two very relevant comments Manny.
ReplyDeleteI did notice that people tend to dress more casually in our church in the past few years.
Also, recently, the priest started reciting the Kyrie Eleison in Latin. Not sung, just recited.
God bless.
Yes, I think society has transitioned to casual every day now. There was a time when we were required to wear dress shirt and tie at work or be sent home. Now we never wear a tie at all. Peace my friend. :)
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