Jeffrey A. Tucker has a good article, entitled "Dramatic Changes in Music Rubrics for New Missal" (The Chant Cafe, July 8, 2011). He refers to the "dramatic changes" coming with the New Missal -- which they are, in principle. I say that these changes are dramatic "theoretically," because I am not very sanguine that the stipulated changes will make any substantial difference in most suburban AmChurch parishes. While I know that in God's providence anything is possible, I also think that too many people just don't really care what Rome says anymore. Miserere, Domine.
[Hat tip to Fr. Z.]
Why, they've already given "pride of place" to gregorian chant -- what else could they possibly do??
ReplyDeletePush Ralph aside.
ReplyDeletePhilip,
I am seeing a great willingness to listen to the truth in matters theological, liturgical and musical in some strange quarters nowadays. It's true that, as Ralph asserts, they haven't done anything much of value for theology, liturgy or music in the last 50 years or so, but at last they're LISTENING. I will attribute the change to the Action of Grace. I had a friend ask me recently how to get from "here" to "there", as it were, and she seemed receptive to the answer. It IS happening.
Praise God for the example of His Holiness. Perhaps it's not long until he celebrates the Mass in the Extraordinary Form at the high altar at St. Peter's or -- better yet - St. John Lateran.
Chris
It's not easy to "push Ralph aside," Chris. I am genuinely grateful to hear about these instances of openness to renewal, or whatever, you're experiencing. But that's just what they are: instances.
ReplyDeleteThe decisive formative influences on Catholic culture over the past century (and especially since the 1950s) have been predominantly undermining and dilutive of the faith. I'm not sure this tide is going to be reversed any time soon, any more than the tide of economic collapse brought about in the United States by irresponsible policies of the present administration coupled with irresponsible negligence preceding it.
Sheldon,
ReplyDeleteThe plural of anecdote is not data, but it could, reasonably, be EVIDENCE.
I don't mean to deny that there is much filth flowing through the sewer, nor do I mean that, to quote Annie, "The Sun'll come up, tomorrow". I do mean that since there are, in spite of the miasma, signs of those who WANT to be rescued from their sinking ship, we should work hard to encourage them precisely because what they want is NOT more of the same.
(My favorite character from Winnie the Pooh is Eyeore, by the way, and few people accuse me of being wide-eyed and optimistic.)
You are, of course, absolutely right that the tide which has flooded the city has carried with it much filth, and has destroyed much, diluting the content of the faith in the minds of so many people, including some in the hierarchy. Nevertheless, didn't Our Lady promise that in the end her immaculate heart would triumph? The mass conversion you seek is in Russia -- or will be, when it happens. In the meantime, just as the recusants did in England, keep the faith, and welcome others who do when we find them.
We have, in our diocese, one diocesan priest who has clearly caught the bug, and a new auxilary bishop. Is this the wholesale triumph of the forces of tradition? No, not yet. But why should we, when we see survivors from a sinking ship, only see the sinking ship?
Chris