![]() ![]() Happily the Seton High School Choir is not under the influence of church music fads or the entertainment industry, although the title hymn was popularized by the movie Henry V. ![]() Even as a non-expert, I can say with conviction that Non Nobis Domine is extraordinary. Such thoughts were in my mind as I put on the CD of the high-school choir. But even if liturgical music could stop boredom or compete with pop music for the attention of young Catholics, should this be its purpose? What message are we trying to convey with music? Is the purpose of singing at Mass to entertain? (Everyone knows that boredom is the arch-enemy of youth, don’t we? Maybe also to the middle-aged disciples of Peter, Paul and Mary!) I rather enjoy folk music myself, though not at Mass. Many years ago, when "contemporary folk style" music was introduced into Catholic worship, it was argued that this would appeal to youth who, it was claimed, found traditional hymns boring or "irrelevant" to their lives. Liturgical music has become far from angelic. But this is not what we ordinarily expect to hear in our churches. I think many of our choirs are failing.Ĭardinal Joseph Ratzinger has written that a choir might symbolically take the place of the angels in the singing of the Sanctus. But during my years as a priest I have observed what music is conducive to prayer and what fails. I seldom sing at Mass, although I would like to. In fact, I have difficulty carrying a tune. I should explain that I’m not a musician. I thought I would listen to the CD as I worked on parish correspondence. Of course, every high school has the best band, the best theater troupe, the best football team, the best choir–in the eyes, at least, of fond parents. It was " Non Nobis Domine, Hymns from the Liturgical Year at Seton School". Seton high school choir records a musical pilgrimageĪfter celebrating a Saturday Mass on a cold January morning, I was approached by a parishioner who handed me a CD recording.
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