This is the year, this is the time.
The past 10 years or so have gradually and inevitably led us to this point, a point where the Church's Chant tradition has once again come to the forefront, as it has throughout history following periods of rejection, disuse and insurgency by popular and/ or secular forces from without and within. And yet the church always resists that insurgency and re-asserts tradition.
Summorum Pontificum
The Papal Masses
Sacramentum Caritatis
Anglicanorum Coetibus
The New Translation
The New Evangelization
And Chant......
Now is the time. JUST DO IT!
Beginning today, The Authentic Update will be dedicated to providing resources and links to online resources for "Just Doing" chant in your parish setting. Whether it's the Ordinary Chants of the New Translation, or Proper Chants for your Choir. Whether in Latin or English (or as I've seen recently, in Spanish!), chant needs to be brought into the liturgy NOW if we are to realize the vision of the Second Vatican Council when it said:
“Gregorian chant holds pride of place because it is proper to the Roman Liturgy” (GIRM 41)
and..
“the Church acknowledges Gregorian chant as especially suited to the Roman liturgy; therefore, other things being equal, it should be given pride of place in liturgical services.” (SC 116)
We can't keep kidding ourselves and pushing this under the rug because implementing chant in a parish is "difficult" or "divisive". It's neither, and it is easier now than ever. This doesn't mean throwing the hymnals in the dumpster and having a Schola sing the entire liturgy in Latin. It DOES mean presenting chant in the liturgy as it was meant to be and incorporating other musical forms when appropriate. It means taking your job as a Music Director or musician seriously enough to be willing to do some work and provide education and leadership in your parish.
I will do what I can this year here at Authentic Update to assist Music Directors, musicians or just concerned Catholics in this effort. You may reply or contact me here and I will do my best to help when needed.
May God Bless Your Efforts!
Deo Gratias...
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2 comments:
Do you know of any resources for plainchant in Spanish? Half of our diocese is Spanish-speaking, and I know nothing about some equivalent, for example, to the Chant Cafe, in Spanish.
Carl;
That's an interesting question...I also deal with a considerable Spanish population here in SW Florida. I'm sure there are such things, but it might require some searching online.
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