A Letter From Marty Haugen To Jeff Miller

[Noel's angel]

It's not really a matter of taste. It is a matter of what will bring people closer to God. I agree, there are some beautiful modern hymns, but a lot of what we hear is Protestant and not even pleasant to listen to. Our Church has such a wealth of beautiful music. Why reject it for songs that aren't even theologically sound?
We also need to encourage people nowadays to write good, suitable liturgical music.

[Madame Vengier]

[quote name='CatherineM' post='1528552' date='May 14 2008, 02:06 PM']From: Musicam Sacram, Sacred Congregation of Rites, March 5, 1967[/quote]

That was written in 1967. That tells me a lot.

[Lil Red]

[quote name='Noel's angel' post='1528772' date='May 14 2008, 05:05 PM']Why reject it for songs that aren't even theologically sound?[/quote]
+J.M.J.+
and this is why i don't like haugen, haas, hurd or schutte.

[Noel's angel]

[kujo]

[quote name='Noel's angel' post='1528772' date='May 14 2008, 08:05 PM']It's not really a matter of taste. It is a matter of what will bring people closer to God. I agree, there are some beautiful modern hymns, but a lot of what we hear is Protestant and not even pleasant to listen to. Our Church has such a wealth of beautiful music. Why reject it for songs that aren't even theologically sound?
We also need to encourage people nowadays to write good, suitable liturgical music.[/quote]

While I agree that music ministers need to be vigilant to make sure that the music they select is theologically sound, I find it odd that it being written by a Protestant has anything to do with it. I mean, if they're singing about God's love...go for it. I mean, didn't Pope Benny say that the good things that the Prots do belong to us [i]anyway[/i]?

[Madame Vengier]

[quote name='Noel's angel' post='1528772' date='May 14 2008, 06:05 PM']It's not really a matter of taste. It is a matter of what will bring people closer to God. I agree, there are some beautiful modern hymns, but a lot of what we hear is Protestant and not even pleasant to listen to. Our Church has such a wealth of beautiful music. Why reject it for songs that aren't even theologically sound?
We also need to encourage people nowadays to write good, suitable liturgical music.[/quote]

I totally agree. There are so many wonderful hymns that would be more characterized as "sacred" that just have wonderful lyrics that are like a catechism lesson, and beautiful melodies that really put a person in a more genuine state of reverence. Well, there are always going to be those who say they feel perfectly reverent singing Marty Haugen in Mass...

[kujo]

[quote name='Madame Vengier' post='1528782' date='May 14 2008, 08:10 PM']I totally agree. There are so many wonderful hymns that would be more characterized as "sacred" that just have wonderful lyrics that are like a catechism lesson, and beautiful melodies that really put a person in a more genuine state of reverence. Well, there are always going to be those who say they feel perfectly reverent singing Marty Haugen in Mass...[/quote]

We agree. I think that it really depends on your congregation, really. Being a good musical evangelist means coming to the people where they're at to bring them to wear they should be.

[Noel's angel]

Not really. There are hymns suitable for the Liturgy, and there are hymns that are not. Unfortunately, we have been burdened with many that are not. We need to reach deeper to people. Haugen songs might make people feel a bit cheery or whatever, but people need solid hymns, hymns that are truly beautiful, and worthy to be played in God's Presence.

Edited May 14, 2008 by Noel's angel

[kujo]

[quote name='Noel's angel' post='1528791' date='May 14 2008, 08:17 PM']Not really. There are hymns suitable for the Liturgy, and there are hymns that are not. Unfortunately, we have been burdened with many that are not. We need to reach deeper to people. Haugen songs might make people feel a bit cheery or whatever, but people need solid hymns, hymns that are truly beautiful, and worthy to be played in God's Presence.[/quote]

Uh huh...so NONE of his music does that? When is the international dateline that differentiates between what is a "solid hymn" and what isn't. What if the old stuff bores people and makes them wander off in their thoughts? Is it tough cookies for them?

[Lil Red]

[quote name='kujo' post='1528797' date='May 14 2008, 05:22 PM']Is it tough cookies for them?[/quote]
+J.M.J.+
yes








































i kid. mostly.

[kujo]

[quote name='Lil Red' post='1528798' date='May 14 2008, 08:23 PM']+J.M.J.+
yes
i kid. mostly. [/quote]

::crickets chirping::









I kid too

[dominicansoul]

"The pipe organ is to be held in high esteem, for it is the traditional instrument of the Church, the sound of which can add a wonderful splendor to the Church's ceremonies and powerfully lift up men's minds to God and higher things."

That's it. That's really just the point. The music, whether traditional or contemporary should have a sound to add to the SPLENDOR of the Mass, and POWERFULLY lift up men's minds to God and higher things.

I have been an organist for the Church since I was 7 years old. I have had to fight to play beautiful music at the Mass. I have to admit, in the thousands of pieces of music I have played for God, I find the more traditional hymns fulfill the requirements of Musicam Sacrum. I have often found that the more I played a traditional hymn, the more the congregation learned to appreciate it and sing along. It is absolutely DREADFUL when the Mass is hijacked by some youth choir playing electric guitar and drums while wailing through Protestant praise & worship songs...I am sure God is not amused! Nor is He pleased. Remember that the Liturgy was inspired by the Holy Spirit, and to take away from Him what is rightfully His is not for us to do. He wants our absolute attention and our hearts to be raised to Him. If the music doesn't allow this, it shouldn't be played. In the Old Testament, God clearly rejects Cain's offering. Something about Cain's grains did not meet with God's approval. I can only imagine what God thinks about what man has done to the celebration of His Holy Mass...

[Lil Red]

[quote name='kujo' post='1528801' date='May 14 2008, 05:24 PM']::crickets chirping::
I kid too [/quote]
+J.M.J.+

[kujo]

[quote name='dominicansoul' post='1528802' date='May 14 2008, 08:27 PM']It is absolutely DREADFUL when the Mass is hijacked by some youth choir playing electric guitar and drums while wailing through Protestant praise & worship songs...I am sure God is not amused! Nor is He pleased. Remember that the Liturgy was inspired by the Holy Spirit, and to take away from Him what is rightfully His is not for us to do. He wants our absolute attention and our hearts to be raised to Him. If the music doesn't allow this, it shouldn't be played. In the Old Testament, God clearly rejects Cain's offering. Something about Cain's grains did not meet with God's approval. I can only imagine what God thinks about what man has done to the celebration of His Holy Mass...[/quote]

But what if others in the congregation feel the Holy Spirit at work in that "dreadful youth choir" and their "wailing" of "Protestant praise & worship songs?" What if all that liturgical music is supposed to do is accomplished in that "dreadful" choir?

I really don't think God is less "amused" by singing a song that GLORIFIES HIM and is written by a Protestant!!!!!

[dominicansoul]

You know how I know? People have told the priest they will NEVER return to a Mass there based only and solely on the dreadful music! BY THE FRUIT YOU WILL KNOW!

That music doesn't glorify anybody but the people singing it. There is absolutely no theological value or significance to what is happening at the Altar in the words they sing and the tune they are playing.