Music during Mass
I would like to know the offical Catholic response regarding "Teen Masses". I know that certain musical instruments are not permitted. However, does the local ordinary have a right to allow drums, electric or acoustic guitars, electric piano etc.? See this website http://www.icsalem.com/youthministry/mass.html
QUESTION from Michael on November 13, 2003
As you can see by the picture, there is a band there and the youth are clapping their hands. Seems like they are having a "great time" listening to the music. Notice on the comments that the lead singer and guitarist plays some "soft acoustic track during Communion or a charging riff on his Les Paul for 'Awesome God,'", and teens gather around the Altar during Mass. Also on this other website http://www.icclifeteen.com/mass.html
it says that high school teens participate as lectors,"Eucharistic Ministers", etc and that the Mass is uplifting with "contemporary Christian music". All this is done I know to attract the youth since as it says on the first website that Mass can be boring for teens.
What about masses at retreat centers where mass is held in a common room. Is that an excuse that its OK since its a very informal setting and its ok to use guitars, or CD music? In our city once a year there is a "Jazz Mass" held at the Cathedral that a local dixielane group plays during mass. Also, since in my city there is a large Hispanic influence, are Mariachi Masses permitted. Seems like everywhere I go I never hear an Organ played anymore. A new church was built last year, the Bishop praised the beauty of the Church,(it look more like a cross between a gym and a barn). There was no organ, but instead a piano behind the Altar where there were chairs and room for the choirs. Also, who is defined as the "Ordinary" who can allow changes. In my parish, it's very traditional. Only organ music, and old traditional Catholic Music. Even our childrens choir sounds beautiful especially when they sing "Panis Angelicus" in Latin. We have a great number of teens that go there and they do not complain about it being boring. We have many, many altar BOYS. There is no need for altar girls, and none of the girls complain that they are discriminated. Thank you for your reply
ANSWER by Mr. Jacob Slavek on November 18, 2003
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Dear Michael, First of all let me say that there is nothing wrong with "Teen" Masses, I wish that every teen in the world would attend Mass and that there are many Masses attended primarily by teens. The problem of course is with the music often used with these Masses, and many times other abuses of Sacred Liturgy that are intended to make Mass more attractive. The Church doesn't have a specific "NO" to these types of Masses, but rather there are individual answers to each specific problem, whether it be disrespectful music or children taking the role of the priest or whatever. About your comment "Mass can be boring to teens": Jesus said "come, follow me", not "Come, I will adapt myself so that I am more attractive to you" Unfortunately we may have to wait until these teens grow up so that they can appreciate the beauty of a properly celebrated Mass. Until then we must be patient, teaching teens exactly what is going on. (Real Presence, etc) There are no exceptions at all for Masses that are celebrated in more informal settings. I would either go with no music or preferably, if the people are able, with singing without instruments. The "ordinary" is the bishop of a diocese. He does not have the authority to make these changes in his diocese or regulate the Liturgy without approval from Rome. And yes, it really is no secret these days that those parishes which have wonderful reverent Liturgies have many families and lots of youths(Altar boys and children's choirs, as well as great devotional lives with Eucharistic adoration and long lines at confession. Thanks for writing, Mr. Slavek |