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Are there any pictures of our Eastern Rite hierarchy in attendance at the papal Mass? Oh by the way, most of the Catholic blogs commenting on the papal Mass have a very right-wing approach in their opinions.

Ok, fair enough, some songs weren't really suitable. But having watched snippets of it on CNN, you could immediately sense the spiritual aspect of the Mass... it was very heartfelt. And then, you know, they will go on and on about the Pope's vestments, the altar settings, whether Communion is to be recieved kneeling, by intinction, or by the hand etc. But even the Pope didn't really have all this in mind. It was just an apostolic and pastoral visit, not a canonical one (the time will come for them to deal with that later). He only had in mind to reach out to Americans and preach the Gospel. Is that not enough for them?!

Collin,

The Mass is the public, outward "incarnation," if you will, of the Gospel. So when the Mass is harmed, the Gospel and Christ's message are harmed. Are you suggesting that the things you mention don't matter? Perhaps we should just sit on beanie bags in circles around a wooden table and belt out a couple Kumbayas...

Alexis

Thanks to the Catholic music publishing industry, there's a lot of trash music floating around. The bishops could correct this, but I suspect many of them do not have much musical training. I don't know if any of the seminaries still teach appropriate liturgical music. I am stuck with an expensive hymnal in the RC church where I work that often has psalms that are god-awful. It's supposed to be one of the better Catholic hymnals, but 25% of the psalm settings are pretty good, 25% are mediocre, and the rest are terrible. I understand your position Alexis. If we are as we pray and singing is prayer, we are in trouble in many places.

Perhaps we have different "harmful elements" in mind . As much as I've lamented some pet issues of the traditionalists, please bear in mind that I am in agreement with a lot of their arguments, but not to the extent that it takes the Eucharist away from the limelight. Please understand... Liturgical rubrics that assist in a reverent celebration of the Eucharist are important but when these things come to the centre of attention rather than the Gospel or the Eucharist itself, we have a bit of a problem. That is ultimately, my problem with some of these blogs and complainants. That's all.

In Christ-God

Its probably good that we've realized what garbage we're capable of churning out. If its "liturgical garbage", let's at least give some credit to these people and recommend them to the CCM labels so that they can still continue in music ministry outside the liturgy. I mean come on, why let the Devil have the good tunes?! A priest can be a good rapper but it doesn't mean that he's going to rap at Mass right?! Common sense!

As we lament at the state of the liturgical music today, lets take a good look at ourselves and see if anyone of us has a vocation to compose hymns or melodies befitting to the liturgical rite of our choice. If we know what's right or wrong, and if we have God by our side, I doubt that there will be anything that will stop anyone of us in doing this.

ps: The Ukrainians in Australia have composed a new melody of the hymn to the Theotokos (I believe that it is Axion Estin)and is available here at http://www.catholicukes.org.au/tiki/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=584.
Enjoy... and pray along as you sing!

http://www.myspace.com/ukrainianwydchoir - More here.

Collin,

Fair enough! I do understand what you're saying; I guess I just didn't think most (not all) of the blogger comments and posts were too out of focus.

Alexis

Well agreed. Perhaps I've been visiting too many of traditionalist blogs whereas you didn't visit too much. Haha.