We Need Better Music for Mass

It’s an amazing fact that we can carry on with the day to day affairs of our lives without giving a second thought to the immensity of our universe and the incomprehensible forces that explode and contract within it.
The known universe is characterized by neutron stars, black holes, supernovas, rogue asteroids, and even within our own solar system, there are forces that produce a sense of terror and awe just to think about: like the fact that there is a cyclone on Jupiter bigger than our planet.
Carl Sagan famously described our planet as a pale blue dot based on the photo of the same name taken from deep space which provides a sense of the scale of our own world which consumes all of our attention, but in the grand scheme appears to be floating helplessly in the vastness of space.
As a Catholic Christian, I’m someone who believes that this immense, awe inspiring system of systems with forces that can produce existential dread in the most resolute members of our species was created by a mind - the source and ground of all being, who is the logos, who is God.
But it doesn’t stop there. The one who spoke all that in to existence also invaded creation through the incarnation of Jesus Christ - a human person who said and did things that have an unmistakable confounding but simultaneously beautiful quality.
He is the focal point at which the transcendent eternal source of everything that is became available to our senses. He is the moment at which heaven collides with that pale blue dot.
And just before he was arrested and crucified, he gave us a formula and a format that would provide for the continual manifestation of this collision of heaven and earth. He gave us his body, blood, soul, and divinity; his incarnation, in the form of bread and wine consecrated on the alter of every mass celebrated every day throughout the world.
And if you had never been to a Catholic Mass, with all of that context in mind, you might think, if that’s true, it must be an incredibly powerful and epic moment to witness and the Church expects us to believe that it is true, while simultaneously garnishing that moment with music like The King of Glory.
Why do we do this? Think about what we’re asking people to believe and then consider how we present it to them and then we ask ourselves why people don’t believe and why the faith is in such dramatic decline in regions where this is common practice.
And of course, this hasn’t always been the case. There have been profound periods where artistic and cultural expression found their stride in the context of the mass and we can still get glimpses of it, especially in the way our Eastern Orthodox brother and sisters practice their liturgy. You can’t watch or participate in that without thinking that the gravity of this moment is significant.
Where I live, most Catholic masses seem to be doing everything they can to diminish and trivialize the gravity of that moment.
To be totally honest, I’d rather there be silence rather than some of the attempts we make to improve upon the profound way that Jesus appears to us.
I don’t blame musicians and worship leaders because the problem is a lot bigger than that. I myself have been tapped to lead music at mass and if I had to do it tomorrow, I’d be playing my guitar singing the only songs that are recognized and available in the hymnals in our pews.
The solution to this problem needs to come from the top down. We need our bishops and priests to lead us into a better understanding of what is appropriate for our liturgy. We need to stop supporting publishers who push this kind of thing, exclusively.
The Church needs to reclaim a sense of patronage of good music and art made by sincere, faithful, Catholics who appreciate the subject matter that they are communicating. And I’m not trying to say, we need to go back to the way things were or only use a particular style or particular instrument. This isn’t about liberals vs. conservatives. This is about good and appropriate art and liturgy vs. bad art and liturgy.
This experiment we’ve been on for the last half century has been one in which we’ve been chasing cultural relevance only to drive our Church into a deeper state of cultural irrelevance. Trying to fit in isn’t the way to be cool. Doing something entirely unique and set apart from everything else is how you capture people’s interest. It seems like the Church used to understand that and has forgotten it. Let’s do what we can now, to reclaim it.
Please comment with your ideas about the video and if you find it interesting, please share it and subscribe.
Twitter: / briankeepsworth
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[@CatholicAmericanDreamer]

Yes! I completely agree with you. I'm a young college kid, but I'm not stupid. Sometimes I feel like the parishes are simply pandering to a hip and superficial culture. We don't need a hip, laid back Mass, we need reverence and meaning in the Mass.

[@jmjaquinas7298]

I agree! I’m in college too, and my university Newman Center does this a lot, and I really think it’s hurt the parish and the souls of the faithful.

[@aldomartinez588]

Latin mass

[@CatholicAmericanDreamer]

Aldo Martinez yep I love the Latin rite and I also occasionally go to Maronite Mass.

[@thecatholicrabbi4170]

Mark C I was reading that a lot of your young generation wants more solem, profound and spiritual music at church and not this hip stuff, Mark. Do your other friends feal the same way?

[@aldomartinez588]

Matthew Kepha yes I am in love with the church BUT I STRONGLY DISLIKE “Christian music” aside from most of it coming from sad Protestantism it’s also really cheesy. For some sheeple it might me fine and dandy but for those who can’t just have faith or believe because it’s popular, it’s difficult to actually worship through these cheesy tunes and I don’t want them sneaking into mass the way things like bands/groups and tamborines. I have friends who feel this way However I had to look for these friends through deeper church communities and it’s difficult to find people who agree and from what I find they are people who are trying to start this revolution of younger Catholics.

[@monicabermea7652]

Brian you are an awesome breath of fresh air to our church...thank you.

[@damianwhite504]

he deserves a knighthood

[@teamorthodoxy]

This is one of the many reasons I attend the Traditional Latin Mass in a Diocesan approved Catholic Community. I used to be a Life Teen "Worship Leader" myself over 10 years ago. So much has changed for me as I have grown deeper in my understanding of Catholic Liturgy and its deep historical roots. I came to a crossroads where I asked ifwe truly believe that the Mass is the re-presenting of the Paschal Mystery, and that it is truly Our Lord on that altar, then how do we reconcile that with the way we generally treat the Mass in the West? Thus the search began for an approved Latin Mass, and now I attend it almost exclusively. Jesus, through the Traditional Latin Mass changed my life and deepened my faith, and in many ways saved it. I can't recommend it highly enough for any Catholic who struggles to reconcile the Church's Teaching with her practice. It truly is the Mass of All Ages and so many Saints were raised on it. If you can find a parish that offers it - Go. Go multiple times and see how your faith will grow.

[@thecatholicrabbi4170]

teamorthodoxy I read the early church fathers. Some of their writing came before and on the same year the apostles letters were. Gives me a shiver

[@LauraBeeDannon]

Matthew Kepha you know tim also?😆

[@LauraBeeDannon]

tim spangler I'm glad you are asking questions. It shows how your heart is opening up to the church. Catholic.com has great answers. Father Mike Schlitz has a wonderful video all about the eucharist.

[@thecatholicrabbi4170]

Tim?

[@alhilford2345]

Anyone who seriously compares the Latin Mass with the Novus Order will mourne the beauty and reverence that has been lost by deleting the psalms and extra prayers to the saints. There are no "performers". The whole focus of attention is on the altar, tabernacle and crucifix.

[@joe4570]

problem is musicians go to mass to "perform" rather than "worship".

[@joshuag.4873]

Joe Not all of us.

[@joe4570]

fair enough, but too many.

[@joe4570]

I'm a professional musician mate. I know when people are performing and when they aren't

[@kimfleury]

Joe - I do agree with Joshua, that there are sincere musicians and singers, but I also agree with you, because I see both examples in my own parish. One of the folk musician/singers who alternates at the Saturday Vigil Folk Mass is sincerely reverent. I've known him most of my life, he's a family friend. He's a professional pub musician, and even though he plays folk at Mass, it's of an older, more reverent tradition -- think 1700s Colonial period, or 1800s Pioneer period, when they played what they had available. Yet he plays at the church built in 1964 in a Post-Modern architectural style. On the other hand, the huge choirs that perform at the traditional architecture, 1922 church site are quite focused on performance. And it isn't a small thing that they're mostly Baby Boomers and older, who had few if any children, and the children they did have are off who knows where, but they're up in arms because our dwindling parish had to be blended with the one that has the Post-Modern church, and now we're looking at closure of one of the sites as a matter of prudence. I have ties to all the parishes/churches in the area, but probably the most sentimental ties to the older church -- my great-grandparents were among the founders, my grandparents married there, their children were baptized and married there, my younger brother (now deceased) and I were baptized there. But these decisions aren't made based on sentimentality. That's not prudent. The Post-Modern church simply has greater seating capacity, an on-site rectory (there's no rectory at the older church), ample parking (not available in the older neighborhood church). I could add other reasons, but for the sake of prudence, most factors point toward closing the older site, and so I accept this. But the choirs are there to perform, and they object to closing the older site based on one single factor: Acoustics. For them, it's all about art and sentimentality. They're campaigning the Archdiocese, they've written insulting letters, and they're angry. It's causing discord in the blended parish, an "us against them" mentality. Sure, the choirs have a reputation in the community, but they ain't exactly a big draw, if you know what I mean.

[@thecatholicrabbi4170]

Joe YES! YES! YES!

[@JayJay-lu4et]

One of the worst things about the low Protestant churches is the unfit camp-fire-style music, and some go all out rock and roll. Thankfully, all the Catholic churches in my area that I've visited have solid traditional church music. My parish even sings in Latin during holidays which is very humbling and worshipful. When I was a Protestant, I never thot the Catholic Church would bow to the cultural music, I'm sad to hear some are.

[@carolineleiden]

We have centuries worth of fantastic music written specifically for Mass. By Schubert, Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Vivaldi, Palestrina, Monteverdi. To name just a few! You could not finish it in a life time if you played a different one each Sunday or even each DAY. And look in your Missal! All the Gregorian chants are there, written out for you! Learn to sing Gregorian, it is definately worth the tiny effort.

[@OpusDogi]

Well... to name a few more, people might find it worthwhile to discover the immense wealth of Ibero-American liturgical music from the 17th and 18th centuries. At one point, more music was being produced in the Americas than in Spain. In subtle ways they often incorporated indigenous motifs. A few examples. Padilla-Kyrie/Gloria kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZuaaq1tfMtoiLM Ignacio de Jerusalem- Maitines a la Virgen kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5fPoGSgaN-Lqqs Padilla - Tambalagumba kzbin.info/www/bejne/fKOwp4almtd5pMU

[@catholiccrayons]

Cool but also new writers can also bring their worship

[@admiralbob77]

So you know the revival of Gregorian chant was because Pius X hated all that stuff right? Pius X wanted people to sing, not to be entertained by classical music.

[@wendyfield7708]

@@admiralbob77 Gregorian chant is very ancient. All beautiful music in the Church is to praise God, not “entertain” people.

[@admiralbob77]

@@wendyfield7708 I am quite familiar with Gregorian Chant. I lead a choir that specialises in it.

[@darrenlipski7381]

Ukrainian Catholic here and my home away from home is the Traditional Latin Mass. I love the Byzantine tradition of exclusively choral music in the church, but I also love the combination of pipe organ and Gregorian Chant. Two beautiful expressions of reverence and worship fit for the King of Kings!

[@javclam]

We don't need better music, we already have it, people not being willing to use it is a whole different issue.

[@thecatholicrabbi4170]

Javier Cabrera González So you're saying we need to dust off that old music and bring it back, right?

[@javclam]

Yes, pretty much

[@hannahwesterman9636]

If I could hit the like button multiple times, I'd be hitting it for eternity.

[@thecatholicrabbi4170]

Hannah Westerman I hit your comment with a like 👍

[@deusvult2302]

Duuuuh amother cradle catholic clueless to your beautiful faith. We need no perversion of our Lords ears as these evangelifish do. Get educated and appreciate being a Catholic!

[@abbajim]

Experiencing a mass with sacred music elevates the experience to a whole other dimension.

[@veronikapavlechova6877]

I´m so glad for our wonderful priest Irenej Ciutti. If there´s anything he would never allow us to do during Mass, then it´s that "pop-culture" kind of music. Here in Slovakia, we have something called JKS (united catholic songbook). It´s a small black book, filled up with old Slovak liturgical songs, and man they are so beautiful. We have like at least 100 of them in each church and chapel. Those old (sometimes even folk) songs are sang during Mass, in the majority of our churches in Slovakia. The newer churches in bigger citties unforutnantelly adapted to that "easy to participate" music. It´s gonna take a lot of work and rosaries to bring some heaven culture back into those churches.

[@northwestdestiny1388]

Yes!!!! YES!!!! The 'music' in our parish is horrid. An assault to the beauty of the Mass. Our new priest agrees and is weaning parishioners off the heinous stuff and slowly introducing Gregorian Chant, etc. Yay!! I so agree with you, Brian!! Thank you for bringing the critical issue to the table on your channel. Spread the word, Brother!!!

[@thecatholicrabbi4170]

Nyliram yessam I agree with you Daniel Bryan, YES! YES! YES!

[@LauraBeeDannon]

Nyliram yessam how is he doing this? Does the choir do the chants?

[@northwestdestiny1388]

LauraBeeDannon Slowly. Very slowly.

[@joe4570]

yup. we need to look to Gregorian chant, yes, but also to the East, since they had a very successful musical reformation a few centuries ago as well. Bringing back chanting the gospels and readings and Gregorian chant for the ordinary, should be the first steps of implementation

[@Kyle-hn1vl]

Yes Gregorian chant and some good polyphany music too!

[@gbronzich]

Well said, Bryan. Let me talk to you for a moment here, as an Eastern Orthodox Christian in a unique position. I actually am a professional church musician, an Organist-Choirmaster in an Anglican church, as well as being an Eastern Orthodox Christian. (I receive the Eucharist in my Orthodox parish at a weekday liturgy, since I have to work on Sundays). Anyway, at the Anglican church where I work, I endeavour to reach the souls of the congregation members and center the music around the teachings of Scripture, the liturgical season and the teaching of the Eucharistic Real Presence. Music should never be about performance. There should be excellence of performance for the purpose of facilitating prayer, since badly presented music will actually distract from prayer, but the whole point of church music is facilitating prayer and drawing people spiritually towards the Triune God, not succumbing to worldly ideas about trying to be "cool" in church. So, this video is well done and your position is well stated, Bryan. In the Orthodox Church, our bishops have long forbidden any type of liturgical music that is not founded in the tradition passed down by the Fathers. That means that all Orthodox music absolutely MUST be chant of some type. It can be Byzantine chant or 19th-century Russian chant, but it has to follow the basic principle of being God-centered and stylistically appropriate based on time-honoured musical tradiiton. Also, the words to our hymns are already set in the liturgical services, so no one is writing new hymns with new texts. If Roman Catholic Bishops would take the kind of stand that Orthodox Bishops have always taken regarding liturgical music, you guys wouldn't have this problem. I speak as a person who worked as a church music director for several Catholic parishes at one time, so I don't say this out of misunderstanding or lack of experience. Yes, you guys have a problem. Yes, publishing companies who push this 1970's pop-based music do not need to be supported.

[@FoundSonofMary]

Brian i will be converting to Catholicism soon. I wanted to thank you for the help and info you've provided. Youre a cool dude. God bless.

[@BrianHoldsworth]

Thanks for sharing that. I'm super excited for you!

[@LauraBeeDannon]

Welcome home!

[@thecatholicrabbi4170]

Brandon Quiroga welcome home. We missed you.

[@sjenner76]

The mass has been reduced to the banal. From the thin sermons, to the tacky vestments and atrocious music. The problem isn’t Vatican II. But unfortunately the drive for change coincided with the 70s and some very dubious notions from those trusted as bishops to protect and enrich the tradition whilst embracing a spirit of openness and thoughtful innovation. All said and done, really good video.

[@BrianHoldsworth]

Very good point! Thanks!

[@kimfleury]

You got it, Simon.

[@ProximaCentauri88]

This channel is beyond any Catholic channel that I follow... The discussion, the presentation... I'm just awestruck. I always feel like I am floating among the clouds when I hear you speak. Thank you for sharing your faith.

[@damianwhite504]

And Brian has beautiful hair

[@makemyday2385]

As a cantor for 25+ years I have grown up with the post Vatican 2 music that you are referring to. This was the music that I was familiar with. We have a new priest that has gotten rid of the OCP Music Issue that is part of 85% of the US market and introduced us to the Pew Missal. It has a sufficient song selection that remains true to the teachings of the Church and with correct Theology. Plus the songs are easier for the congregation to learn. We are moving away from "folk" and glory and praise music to classical worship music that hightens the liturgy of the mass. Our music ministry took a risk with our priest's recommendation and I am now grateful we did. I will admit, it took me a while to get used to and I missed my emotional high, BUT the trade-off has enhanced my overall worship experience and I am drawn ever so deeply into Christ's presence at the mass. It no longer is about performance but actual prayer through artistic music. We chant all the mass parts and it works beautifully. I highly recommend it. My only thought is, and many people are not aware of this, and that is we are on a steady decline in our parishes with people stepping forward to do good music liturgy because of the decline in the education system of the performing arts. In the next 10 years, there will be a significant decline in music at mass because of the number of youth that are not exposed or educated in playing the piano, organ, or string instruments, especially in the rural parishes of America because our schools have cut many of the music programs at our schools to pay for other needs. We are already seeing the decline in artists stepping forward to give of their time, and in large parishes, music ministers are paid a stipend or salary. Smaller parishes are unable to afford musicians. Its difficult enough to get people to sing and open a book, especially pew dwellers without someone keeping you on pitch. Good music is integral to the liturgy as it heightens our awareness of the heavenly reality of the mass. Butchering good music is as bad as the "folk" music you detest being played at mass. Those who don't want music at mass are there for the wrong reason. They want the mass shortened or are being selfish in wanting it quiet and reverant. The Sunday mass is to be glorious and triumphant, just like when we sing the gloria at mass, our voices are lifted with the angels and saints who are present as well, singing "Glory to God in the Highest..." This is not only what God wants, but what is rightfully deserved. Music is all about playing to our senses as because are all about the "smells and bells". We need signs, images, art, architecture, music, light, sacramentals to enhance our worship experience because as human beings, that is who we are.

[@elainekruger-haye3463]

Amen. I am a Lutheran in the German tradition and so much of our music predates Luther. I love the continuity of Christian music that ignores all differences. I had no problem attending mass in Italy, it was all familiar to me And Latin from schooldays helped to get an idea of the sermons themes too.

[@aileenstylespaynemalikhora962]

I love German tradtional music!

[@thecatholicrabbi4170]

Elaine Kruger-haye can you share some of the old music you like? Name some? I want to listen too

[@elainekruger-haye3463]

Matthew Kepha. We sing quite a few hyms written by St Ambrosius - with tunes about 1000 years later (about 1400) all very much like chants. I found Veni redemptor gentium by Ambrosius with a tune from the 12rh century, reworked by Luther. We also use some Gregorian chant like a Laus tibi Christe, the Kyrie in several tunes. We sometimes use an Orthodox Kyrie from the Ukraine liturgy. For really lovely choral music ( protestant but early) Heinrich Schuetz. He studied music in Venice and is a treat to sing

[@VivaLeCRob]

Balance in all things. I could certainly appreciate adding artistic elements to the liturgy that give it gravity, much the way a movie can be orchestrated. I agree that some need this myself included. But that is one experience. You paint the picture of an infinite cosmos and there are an infinite ways to encounter and experience Christ. Those lighthearted songs are something I hear kids singing walking out of mass, in re, and my own kids at home. They take the Christ with them in song and that is beautiful. Not just children, to some this music is so familiar it is home. To them, your mission here is already accomplished. I'm not saying to not seek more, to be better, or try to reach others with different varieties of art and music in the Mass. Just don't leave those that have already found this behind.

[@DarrylCross]

If you ever find yourself in Calgary on a Sunday, you should check out the mass at St. Anthony's @ 12:30. (If you're familiar with the city, it's not too far from the Chinook mall) They have a beautiful Tridentine High Mass there. Used to live out that way years ago.

[@Kyle-hn1vl]

I was at St. Anthony's last summer for two months. Great Schola. Great sacred music!

[@ecv03]

My parish just replaced all our Hymnals with one called St. Michael's Hymnal. It is definitely a move in the right direction. Thank you and God Bless

[@chrisbecker6476]

As the liturgy goes, so goes the culture. Culture is directly connected to the way in which we celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. If you dub the Mass down, i.e. making what should be sublime into something common or ordinary, or even ridiculous at times, then the culture is also dubbed down. I think often times we forget to realize that there is nothing else on earth, i.e. temporal musings, that is like the Mass. It simultaneously plays-out in time and out of time, temporally and spiritually, on earth and in heaven. Once again Brian, you are spot on. Keep up the great work that you are doing. I will keep you and your family in my daily prayers.

[@vragenstaatvrij777]

Chris Becker That's a deep thought. European art decayed when secularisation set in. 20th century art, which is almost completely secularized, can in no way be compared with the spiritual refinement and beauty of previous ages. A society that has lost its sense for well understood holiness also loses its sense for divine beauty.

[@kimfleury]

But I recall the culture going downhill prior to the N.O. and folk music Masses. The hippie free love crowd was everywhere -- and I was only a small child at the time. I was traumatized by neighbors doing hallucinogenics and weed -- they were scary people, and it was a quiet working class neighborhood where we small kids could be free to run back and forth from corner to corner, until those hippies moved in.

[@thecatholicrabbi4170]

Chris Becker that makes sense. It is like when making a movie. If You want a certain, thought, feel and mood, you must create it or you won't have it

[@alexwilliamns]

In worship, it's important to make it special. That's a huge reason for keeping the Sabbath holy; it separates it from the rest of the week and shows our focus has shifted.

[@terratremuit4757]

What's sad is that this should be common sense.... well I guess not to many of our bishops today.

[@thecatholicrabbi4170]

Terra Tremuit what's sadder is nobody disagrees with his video. So if this is what the lay people want, why are we not given it? Is nobody speaking up?

[@goldgabich6863]

Haha I agree. We need the angelic voices echoing through old stone cathedrals. Seriously it makes a huge difference

[@kimfleury]

Unfortunately, the voices seem wimpy in Post-Modern church buildings :(

[@goldgabich6863]

KA Fleury true, I’d rather have to drive a little while to a nice church then to have a local/convenient post modern mass

[@Joe-fz6ni]

As a protestant, I will tell you, the most powerful music I have hear is the Organ and Latin Chant. Just my opinion. Classical music has been around for a long time because there is no need to replace something great. You can sense both its age and its beauty-- a great presentation of God.

[@aileenstylespaynemalikhora962]

agreed.

[@thecatholicrabbi4170]

Joe good point!

[@jaded1885]

I've had this thought in my head for weeks!

[@musicmydude2527]

Woooooow! Wowoowowowow ! Much love brother! Thank God for you!

[@David2084iphone]

LEX ORANDI=LEX CREDENDI The way we pray leads directly to the way we believe. This is a Dogmatic Law of the Church. If the way we pray is lacking, then the way we are going to believe will also be lacking. That being said, the way and matter in which we pray the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will directly lead to the way we believe and have faith. And when it comes to the mass, the Music is an important aspect of prayer in the Mass, as Brian said! If that is lacking, so will our beliefs be lacking!

[@patrickhepburn7867]

We are lucky to have an organ and a music director. Every mass has church music we love

[@johnhenry7042]

Well said, Brian Holdsworth! I now attend the local Ordinariate Parish. Divine Worship, the Mass of the Ordinariate, utilizes: a reverent language (Prayer Book/hieratic English); authentic sacred music (chanted propers, hymns and polyphony); ad orientem worship of God; etc. Latin (EF) Mass-goers and many other Ordinary Form Catholics regularly attend our Ordinariate daily and Sunday Masses. The Ordinariate Liturgy is an oasis of truth, goodness and beauty.

[@joeypuvel1228]

Brian, as a 21 year old college senior at a catholic school, I know in my hear that this approach would bring more students in the chapel on my campus. I would also be willing to be that the dress code at mass is in part effected by the music. It's like campfire music, so the students dress accordingly. I'd be willing to bet that changing the music to reflect the indescribable moment that we claim to be taking place at the mass would encourage my fellow students trade their sweats for dress pants for an hour on Sunday nights.

[@fritula6200]

The Soul that leans on God alone, experiences a peace that transcends all suffering.

[@powerliftingcentaur]

Great video! And I totally agree with you. I visited the Portland, Oregon cathedral a couple weeks ago and was gratified by the quality of the choir.

[@RuthMargaret]

My only disagreement is with the contention that this is something that can *only* be solved from the 'top down'. If we in the pews don't demand better music and teach ourselves and our children better music then there will not be change. Music directors and priests will do what is familiar and easy, assuming that is what people in the pews want.

[@susangrande8142]

Ruth Margaret If I can add to your comment: many churches, at least in my city, are also not able to find musicians and singers for mass (I’m a singer, and sing for 2 masses in the weekend). Finding keyboard players, period, much less those who know the repertoire and are competent musicians, and are willing to play for little to no pay, is the challenge in my city. What hymns we sing is limited to what’s in our hymnal (is it a good, diverse one, or not?), what hymns we know, and what is appropriate for the liturgy of the day. I sing a Gregorian chant during communion, solo, fairly often, if it’s appropriate to the liturgy. If the congregation wants better music, they will have to invest time, energy, and money into it. Some people just don’t care about the music. Some have no idea what’s possible, as in, it could be done better than it is.

[@LauraBeeDannon]

We are all volunteers at our parish. We've stated many times that if they want better music to show up at meetings and volunteer for choir. People need to leave the pews and let us volunteers sit in the pews every once in a while.

[@thecatholicrabbi4170]

Ruth Margaret Amen Amen sister!

[@henrybn14ar]

It can not be solved without support from the top down. I realised it was hopeless when I watched on TV the Mass and ecumenical service during the Pope's visit to Sweden. That sets the tone. Resistance is futile.

[@jamisondorsett5268]

I am a convert as well and thoroughly agree with your raised points Brian Holdsworth! I'd like to offer a condensed version of your concern that the church is using "entertainment" music rather than more traditional "worship" music that transcends the timeframe of the worship...but to all viewers of this video, Catholic and non-Catholic, this concern about liturgical music is unique to the Roman Rite of the Church and less to the Eastern Rite which maintains a more transcendental music! Very well said Brian and very reverent observance!

[@BeASaint]

Amen to that! We truly do! We have the fullness of the Christian faith, but our delivery is lacking!!! Lets make it happen man and spread the Gospel - #NewEvangelization

[@jajkobadmem6418]

what's bad about the old evangelization?

[@jajkobadmem6418]

new evangelization is just what he criticises.

[@kimfleury]

First, it's heartening to hear you speak with strength and clarity from beginning to end of this topic. Interestingly, some of the descriptives you use here echo those of a certain driver in the folk music Mass movement of the 1960s-70s, and even to today. My dad had joined the parish choir and brought us kids with him in 1970, when I was 9, but then a few years later we started attending the new folk music Mass, where most of the songs were composed by this particular artist. He's a convert who was apparently inspired to join the Church when he saw Brother Sun, Sister Moon. He married a former nun (she received the dispensation from her vows when they met and fell in love) and they run a retreat center that is still drawing people closer to God. (I learned this from his Facebook page). They mainly offer retreats for musicians. But I'm not crazy about the music. My parents like it, but when I was a kid, it quickly seemed mainly dorky and foolish. I didn't much like the music we sang in choir, either - I don't remember much of it, except I didn't enjoy singing it -- especially because the choir director insisted that all the kids had to sing soprano, and that hurt my throat. That seems to be the main trait in most church music -- impossible ranges that everyone is expected to hit. Some have the ability, but most of us don't. I have no memory of the music of the TLM, so I can't be nostalgic for that, but I know my parents and their age group hated it as "old fashioned." The parish now has a folk Mass for the Saturday Vigil; usually a pianist and cantor for the 7AM; not sure what for the 9AM (I might find out tomorrow), and the 11AM has 2 separate choirs directed by the nun who taught Stevie Wonder. I kid you not. He picked up his trademark sound from her. At first, back in the 1980s, I honestly thought it was the other way around, because the Mass music seemed so MoTown that I thought she must be copying it. But more recently when I had reason to speak wit her, I noticed that it's actually her inner rhythm, completely natural to her. I give credit to the young, fervent priest who was assigned to us a couple years ago -- he's been undoing Modernist/Post-Modernist changes as much as able, and as diplomatically as possible. We have two church sites (blended parish), and Sister's choirs sing at the older site (1922) because they love the acoustics. They love them so much that someone finagled things in the 1990s to move the choir from the Liturgical North transept to Liturgical South just outside the Sanctuary, in line with and behind the altar, which was moved forward .... to just outside the dome of the Sanctuary. At that time one of the Confessionals was dismantled and the Tabernacle moved to the side niche that was formed by the removal. When I returned to this town after having lived away for quite some time, I returned to this church, where I had been baptized (my great-grandparents were founding members). I had no idea where the Tabernacle was. I didn't know which direction to genuflect. My habit had been to sit at the back, be invisible, but I wanted to know where our Lord was. So I started wandering in the church a little bit, trying not to be noticed. I felt like a creeper. It took a few weeks, and when I found Him, I was really emotional. At least someone had had the sense to place prie dieux facing Him, but because of alterations to make the church handicapped accessible, the ramp to the Sanctuary ended nearly in front of the Tabernacle, which meant there was a lot of foot traffic as the sacristan and EMs visited the Tabernacle for various needs, and the cleaners and hospitality hosts had to use the ramp to wheel carts to/from the altar servers' sacristy. Not a peaceful place to pray, but I spent as much time there as I could, praying that the Tabernacle would be brought back where He belongs in the Sanctuary. Then the new pastor was assigned to us, and he began putting out feelers almost immediately to see if anyone objected to moving the Tabernacle. In the end, there was only one objector - I don't know who, don't care, but the objection as expressed was rooted in the desire to make people the center of worship. It's a Post-Modern idea that God makes us the center of existence. It's a misinterpretation of the Great Commandment, leaving off the first part. It's a love of creature greater than love of the Maker. It was funny when Father approached me saying, "I know you like to pray there in quiet off to the side..." And I was like, "NO Father! I'm praying for Him to be returned to His rightful place!" And now I'm praying for Him to be returned to His rightful place in worship music. I don't know what that is, only that I haven't heard it sung. As Fr. Mitch Pacwa has said, "Liturgical music used to be about worshiping God, praising God. Now it's worshiping us, singing about how great we are, how much we do for Him, how much He loves us. It's not bad to sing about His love for us, but it should be more about His love than about us."

[@OpusDogi]

This is something i have thought about for decades. When i was in college i attended mass at a nearby seminary. The Canon of the Mass was still spoken in Latin; otherwise it was all strumming "relevance" -- "eat His body, drink His blood and we'll sing a song of love..." I called it the Werewolf Song. Several years later during the Introit on Easter Sunday (priest in phony K-mart hippie sandals, Pepsi Jingle music up front) I walked out. "This is garbage." Period. You can argue Donatism up the wazoo, I don't care. I know kitsch and kr*p when i see it. At this point, the Anglican Communion had far superior music and a far more *sensible* liturgy (at least upper-middle to high church). But i could never take their Eucharist seriously. It was very nice. Very remembranceful. It lacked punch. But SSPX is not the answer either. I think ad orientem is the way to go. I think Latin should be brought back. I think traditional chants should be brought back. (I literally cannot stomach the dumbed-down sing-songy chant the church uses that sounds like the moaning theme to a Pepto Bismol ad.) But for all that, there *is* something dead and lifeless in the Tridentine Mass; and this is especially the case when the priest is up front mumbling to himself inaudibly, the choir (if there is one) is singing something entirely different and the pew people are either ignoring the whole thing and saying the rosary or fumbling around in the Missal trying to keep pace with what they can't hear. It's enough to make one Lutheran. An intractable problem which won't be solved on KZbin.

[@joshuag.4873]

OpusDogi Spot on... novus ordo with real church music and high liturgy is best. Ad orientum during the Eucharistic prayers is a nice enhancement, but almost never done. Fear? Laziness...? I am a convert and am music director/organist at a Catholic Church. Everything is a fight and an uphill battle. It’s sickening.

[@richardbenitez7803]

Opus - this is another reason music sucks so bad in the church. Complaints like yours.

[@kimfleury]

I can't say I share your views, but this did make me laugh.

[@justincolannino6544]

Amen brother!

[@SOC-sj8vr]

This is a debate that is millennia old. Before Palestrina, polyphony was seen as tasteless. For a long time, the operatic style was seen as inappropriate for mass (and if you know what operas are usually about- then you know why). The reality is that in each time, music has composed for the mass to speak to contemporary tastes. The trick is to elevate it to something greater, something higher, which signifies the higher meaning of the mass.

[@admiralbob77]

The more I reflect on this video, I think it is the best in your entire series.

[@rileyewen6163]

Amen Brother.

[@bobbyg65]

I have conveyed these sentiments exactly to my parish priests in an anonymous survey. I expressed my feelings that the overly loud, pounding piano at the front of the church, as well as the booming vocals of our music minister, feel inappropriate especially during early morning Sunday Mass as well as during Communion. I also stated the fact that it feels like a performance at times , instead of a leading voice. The Congregation even applauds at the end of every Mass.

[@margotloza7666]

What?! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah, I'm so happy that you are spreading this Truth. I'm so excited about the work you are doing. All glory be to God (:

[@JV_Prime]

Great video! Thank you for this.

[@KeithStrang]

Clergy, PLEASE LISTEN to this message! Your flock wants the SACRED MASS back!

[@emilijapuskunigyte7803]

Thank you, Brian, your thoughts are my thoughts exactly. I have the privilege of being one of the song leaders for the liturgies at the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Vilnius, Lithuania (where the first image of Merciful Jesus is placed). When choosing the most appropriate repertoire for the Mass, I try to take into consideration all the different aspects of the liturgy and its music: the Eucharist itself, the readings, the assembly, the local culturally formed traditions, the style and musical language... it can become quite overwhelming... but having deeper knowledge of what the role of church music is, various experiences and humble regard makes it simpler and always worthwhile. Anyway, thanks and keep up the good work!

[@waltb2967]

Brian your point on. Here is my add on take. Music is the highest ways we can praise God. It takes our normal "talking" voices to allow us to sing from the soul. A whole old testament book is nothing but song lyrics. We should not lose sight that songs must be oriented to the mass; to God. I will say some of our brothers and sisters in the protestant denominations take some of our catholic songs and execute them better then I've seen in a catholic church with reverence, respect, and highly up lifting. Our own pianist is a protestant, but she executes the music beautifully. I hear the grumbling in the pews about a non-catholic playing for our masses, but that is the reality we must face if no catholic musicians and singers step up. We will lose the human song of the mass, which God wants us to sing with his choir of angels.

[@westsidewarrior1972]

Former Episcopalian here. Only one thing I miss. GOOD music. Look at Anglican hymnody, and get an idea of where we need to be going.

[@kimlevesque6103]

You bring to awareness serious points many of us might not even think about. Thanks for another great teaching.

[@rshoffmann59]

"Chasing cultural relevance only to drive our Church into a deeper state of cultural irrelevance" ... You hit the nail right on the head, Brian. Doing anything in Mass designed to please the crowd instead of pleasing God is a slippery slope headed in the wrong direction.

[@OMS1212]

Thank you!!!

[@PipeChoir]

You are absolutely right!

[@admiralbob7797]

I can never express how much I love this video.

[@gateway6827]

Amen!

[@tommie293]

The problem is, as a result of Vatican II, very few people, including the priests even know what the Mass is. When I was growing up the Mass was called "the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass". See paragraph 1367 of the Catechism--"The sacrifice of Christ and the sacrifice of the Eucharist are one single sacrifice: "The victim is one and the same: the same now offers through the ministry of priests, who then offered himself on the cross; only the manner of offering is different." "In this divine sacrifice which is celebrated in the Mass, the same Christ who offered himself once in a bloody manner on the altar of the cross is contained and is offered in an unbloody manner." 1367 Catechism of the Catholic Church

[@grey1951]

Thank you for this insightful video. I agree with everything you said. Like you, I would prefer Masses with no music whatsoever instead of the music that exists in most churches. At least then we could say the prayers without distraction. When the Mass translations were changed a few years ago I hoped things would get better once we had the beautiful language back. but it hasn't made a bit of difference. We're still doing Catholicism Lite from the 1970's. I have completely retreated into cynicism now. I don't believe things will ever get better. Most priests and bishops are happy with our 100% Protestantized liturgy and that's the way it will stay. I watch the priests, deacons, servers and many of my fellow parishoners doing a slight bow of the head instead of a genuflection to the Blessed Sacrament and I think: It's finally happened. We've become Lutherans. And bad Lutherans at that.

[@sheilacampos7757]

grey1951 that is sad! 🙁

[@susangrande8142]

grey1951 You can start a rebellion against this lack of respect toward the Blessed Sacrament, and genuflect at the proper times. I’ve started doing this in my own church. GabiAfterHours’ KZbin channel has a video on just this subject. I also felt dismay at the lack of respect exhibited for our Lord in the Tabernacle, on the altar, or in the hand, without knowing what I could do about it. I may be the only person who does this, but I don’t care. It feels right. I love my Jesus, and I want to show Him due reverence, even if no one around me does.

[@thecatholicrabbi4170]

grey1951 like Amazing Grace or Mary Did You Know (yes she knew!) lol

[@michaelbet7036]

Made me shoot coffee out my nose when the guitar strumming started

[@larryfine4950]

This one church my family goes to is very old fashioned, and I've seen churches like that, I think that's good that some churches still do it the old fashioned way.

[@BecomeAnOrthodoxChristian]

Great singing voice, bro!......And great video (as per usual).

[@BP26P]

General Instruction of the Roman Missal, Third Typical Edition, no. 41: "The main place should be given, all things being equal, to Gregorian chant, as being proper to the Roman Liturgy. Other kinds of sacred music, in particular polyphony, are in no way excluded, provided that they correspond to the spirit of the liturgical action and that they foster the participation of all the faithful.[50] "Since the faithful from different countries come together ever more frequently, it is desirable that they know how to sing together at least some parts of the Ordinary of the Mass in Latin, especially the Profession of Faith and the Lord’s Prayer, according to the simpler settings.[51]" Footnotes: 50. Cf. Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican, Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, no. 116; cf. also no. 30. 51. Cf. Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican, Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, no. 54; Sacred Congregation of Rites, Instruction, Inter Oecumenici, September 26, 1964, no. 59: Acta Apostolicae Sedis 56 (1964), p. 891; Instruction, Musicam sacram, March 5, 1967, no. 47: Acta Apostolicae Sedis 59 (1967), p. 314.

[@henrybn14ar]

I pointed that out to priests and musical directors for forty years. The problem is there are contradictory texts they can use to justify whatever they want to do, and nobody in authority to stop them.

[@southernbella8503]

Incredible, Mr. Holdsworth! I've been waiting for a video like this! And did you know that you were pointed out and lauded by "New Liturgical Movement"? I was like "Yeah, Brian!"

[@maolsheachlannoceallaigh4772]

I agree with you that I would rather have silence than most of the hymns we have today. The difficulty is trying to come up with criteria for what's good and what's bad. Presumably nobody wrote the banal modern hymns thinking they would be banal, but they are. There are some contemporary hymns which are good. I really like the simplicity and solemnity of Taizé hymns, for instance. Perhaps it's a question of tone. The problem with most of the contemporary hymns is that they don't even seem to aim towards an atmosphere of awe or reverence.

[@BrianHoldsworth]

Maolsheachlann OCeallaigh It's a good question. There could be many variables to consider but the one that I think is a non negotiable is the pursuit of fashions and trends. That is a fool's errand and only confirms outside suspicions that the Church is a system for past ages when we fail to keep up with emerging trends.

[@raphaelkelly861]

I truly agree with this message very much. We should use sacred music in Church but I am pretty sure that what is considered sacred music can be judged based on the intention of which it was created with. What I mean is that Gregorian Chant is a unique musical "style" which was developed within a Catholic Europe. And it is very beautiful. If you go more over to the East, for example, now you get a different "style" of Chant which is still beautiful yet different stylistically from Gregorian Chant. I believe that this is because Christianity belongs to nobody but God and was given to us, to every culture, people, and nation (not just Europe for instance). And different cultures who accepted it appropriated it into their own customs and ideas in order to make sense of the great mystery which is God and the faith itself (again including Europe). What we end up with is two places (in this example the West and the East) using the same faith and yet outputting different results like music. The Catholic culture in one place is different than it is in another place. Yet it is still the same universal faith. But they were both created with the sole intention of pleasing God (through more specific criteria). What I mean is that the early Christians in the West, when creating music would have said that they should create music that: 1, is reverent; 2, speaks about the subject in a positive way; and 3, sounds good (subjectively). The way these westerners answered these questions way uniquely subjective to their own worldview. For example, they didn't use drums or any percussive sounds since, in their minds, that would make it less reverent. They also got what they considered to "sound good" with their current understanding of music in general (not as advanced as ours) and used all their resources to create something they saw fit. In other words, they appropriated the idea of Christianity into their own tangible media. When they created the organ, they believed that it also was suitable for holy music and so they incorporated that as well. Centuries of this and voila, you now have Gregorian Chant. (Obviously a very simplified rendition). In the East, however, they took those same universal requirements (Reverent, Positive, and Sounds Good) but answered in different ways (subjective to their own culture). They appear to have had similar ideas about drums (except things like tambourines). However, their culture was different from western culture. To westerners, eastern rhythms and scales sound quite "exotic" yet that was the norm for these people. They also don't seem to have used the organs as often, if at all (I am not an expert on organ history!). You do the same thing and end up with two different cultures and strands of the same faith, yielding stylistically different music that was still created with the same intention and purpose. And in God's eyes, what matters is the intention, devotion, and reverence that the person (culture) put in. Just like how a "badly" handwritten and drawn card from a little kid may mean more to a parent than a professional, great looking store-bought card. What really matters is what the intention was. It's only by the grace of God that humans have been able to create things that do actually sound good. And this same thing also happens with Architecture like Churches, Sacred Art, and even behaviour/reverent acts. Where we get into trouble now is when we talk about cultures besides "the East" and "the West". Because of different geographical saturations of the Catholic faith, other places do not have AS deep of a Catholic sacred musical history as the two I mentioned above. But other Catholic cultures still do very much exist. And to say that their sacred music, even though drastically different from "eastern" or "western" sacred music, is bad or less good I believe is incorrect. To say so is to say that the person (culture) them/itself is worse than your own; even though both cultures believe in the same God, they yielded different results, and so the difference between the two forms of music are caused only by individual differences and thought processes, meaning that saying one is worse is insulting the culture/people them/itself. These cultures also adapted Christianity into their own best. I will take my next example from one of the many Catholic cultures that I believe too many Catholics are ignorant even exists. There has always been Africans with a belief in the God of Israel. From early Judaism to modern times. Yet they are constantly forgotten about. I am not stating that there is just as deep a Catholic history in Africa as in Europe but I am arguing that it still very much exists. And I feel as though too many EuropeanWestern Catholics place themselves above these people. One African Church/culture is the Ethiopian/Eritrean. Although they are technically considered an Eastern Church, they are located with Sub-Saharan Africa. And they happen to also have a rich Christian background. They also have their own form of Chant. Going back to what I said earlier, they took the same God-given faith in Christianity and applied it's objective requirements of Holy Music to their subjective worldview. They believed in the same God as the Europeans but thought differently than they did. That same criterion of reverent, positive, and sounds good were addressed in a different way among the Ethiopians. For example, within many African cultures (including them) drumming was a very widespread instrument that would not be considered irreverent in the same way Europeans thought it was. They didn't view it as too aggressive or loud or anything so they incorporated/appropriated that into their music for God since that to them was their very best. So when westerners now listen to their sacred music, they may be inclined to believe that it is too irreverent and so is worse than their own music (even though not necessarily true). They also incorporated African rhythms and Ethiopian scale knowledge and did this for centuries as well. Obviously, they chanted in a different language as well. The end result for them was something very different from what "westerners" or "easterners" would consider reverent sacred music yet it is still created in literally the exact same way their sacred music was created. And what is sacred or holy can only be determined relative to what God thinks, not what we think. And God made it clear what truly matters. Regardless of if you or I like that actual style of the music more or less than Gregorian/Eastern Chant, they still gave their all to God means that it is equal to other forms of the same thing. Just like how in apparitions, the figure always appears to look like the people they appear to, so also can the same truths be dressed in different ways. So the faith is objective and the music is subjective to the culture it is put within. I mean if they had computers back then, their sacred music would be completely different. They would adapt to their best. And I didn't get the impression from this video at all that you believed this but I just wanted to say that it really isn't the style of the music that takes precedence over what the soul of the music actually is. So when we talk about the casual laidback music that we hear on Sundays, I've always agreed that we should put more effort into singing for God. The criterion of reverent, positive, and sounds good, is not really followed when it comes to these kinds of masses. Positive is a yes and sounds good is up to whoever is listening although usually, it is more about being easy to play, in terms of reverence and intentionality, those things are lacking for sure. It isn't even about not following the culture (since western Catholic Culture is really an appropriating of another culture into a Christian one itself) but rather about putting effort, intentionality, reverence, and of course actually good music into the final result. Putting in our best, whatever that may be, for God. The fact is that in the West, Christians have been putting in their best for tens of hundreds of years and it would be appropriate for North Americans (considered westerners) to use these hundreds of great songs for their worship instead of the easy pop music of today. But I mean even if they used Eastern Chant or even Ethiopian Chant I would be happy. Just use sacred music, not pop music. Thanks for reading and I'd love it if you replied with your own thoughts (if you disagree, I am open to changing my mind)! Anyways God Bless!

[@SquirrellyFries]

It's strange. I'm a cradle Catholic, and grew up in a typical US parish where the music was a mix of traditional hymns and the type of music Brian describes here. But I did always have a distaste for the more modern architecture and pandering pop-inspired music at various "youth" Masses of other parishes (and my high school), feeling it wasn't proper or prayerful enough for worship. It's only in recent years I've been introduced to the idea that maybe even some of the church music I grew up with falls into that category as well. Kind of upsetting, especially since I'm currently a cantor at my parish and I care about doing my ministry in a way that's pleasing to God.

[@LauraBeeDannon]

As a volunteer choir member/cantor I would love better music. We have yo be on the Liturgical committee to have a say. More need to volunteer and show up at meetings if they want it better. Don't complain if you don't want to help.😉

[@blueskyart]

Enough of the squishy seventies saccharine tunes. Lift my heart...lift my mind,....lift my soul! No soaring solos, no applause, no distraction, no performances, no interruption of the sacred Liturgy ....I have come to worship God. When there , we are in the presence of the Living Lord. Let’s make all of the Mass tell us that we are aware of this.

[@edwinlucero9824]

Hey Brian. Continue the great work. Praying for you and your mission. Don’t forget to pray for us.🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@rr7firefly]

Fantastic intro remarks. // The circle (cosmos) and the square (human world) are brought together into a unity that represents the immanently grandiose. All things become one. // Once again, thanks to Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, for their enlightened leadership in bringing a high aesthetic into ceremonial worship.

[@yzerman123]

Brilliant! A truly epic intro followed by a clear demonstration of the disconnect between the music and the sacred truths. Thank you!

[@brendandoshi629]

Thanks for that encouraging intro !👍

[@StJoseph777]

Beautifully said. I don't care for most of our worship music these days.

[@Ellijac16]

Your KZbin channel is by far my favorite! You give me a fresh perspective of Catholicism and give me a firm understanding of reverence. Thank you for making these videos and may God bless this channel and your company!

[@debbiedouglas5516]

If you're not near enough to a TLM....move.

[@henrybn14ar]

What if there is a perfectly good Orthodox parish on your doorstep?

[@thomasritchie9756]

Brian, there's a lot we musicians can (and must) do from the bottom up to change parish music. Next time you get tapped for music, take Bartlett's "Simple English Propers" and sing just the 10-second antiphon after whatever trivial entrance hymn. And urge any regular musicians you know to do the same. Congregation won't really notice what you did, but they will be subconsciously acclimated to the sound of chant, and the more natural liturgical motion. Then when more authentic stuff is introduced bit by bit in the future, it just sounds like something we've already been doing for years. We're boiling frogs here 🐸🥘 Good luck!

[@monkeyman1187]

Thanks for your great work! Have you curated any Spotify playlists?

[@andrewf.castaneda4695]

A Solemn High Tridentine Mass which you've now experienced is on a Sunday is the ultimate worship for the Father which the Son offers in an unbloodied sacrifice can only be surpassed by a Pontificate High Mass (Tridentine) of course.

[@sheilacampos7757]

Really hope bishops see this! In point topic and discussion.

[@jayexelle7009]

This is absolutely amazing. So true! So needed. Can bishops and priests hear this? So we can’t stop listening to mainstream evangelical songs during Holy Mass? How does anyone think that’s acceptable? You couldn’t have said it better: we’re trying to make it as non-unique and simple (in a bad way) as possible. I agree 100%. I also say: if we’re teaching our kids to go to the mass where there’s a rock band then we teach them that mass is there to entertain them when it fact, it’s there to save our souls. So much truth to this video and so much more than can still be said. I’m glad my husband found you - keep up the good work. God bless you and our Mother guard you.

[@lauraanderson7358]

I agree. good luck.

[@ncwolf56]

Thank you, you are right! But I think it goes beyond just the music. At Mass I go to I get a feeling that only a few realize what a wonderful and mystical thing God is doing during the Eucharistic part of the Mass. If they did they would be in awe instead of talking and looking at their cell phones while it's going on. As you said it needs to come from the top and I the people need to be taught what is going on and gain a better appreciation as to what's going on.

[@jennetgage9284]

I think change can come from the bottom up also....as long as the pastor or bishop - or worse, parishioners with psychotic obsessions with bongoes, guitars and "come as you are" slobbery - don't persecute music leaders, lay music leaders CAN teach and share and challenge the congregation to welcome and YES even ***learn*** more appropriate music to GIVE GOD OUR VERY BEST, not just "muddle through" half-@$$ed as we have been these last 50 years. Thank you Brian for this video explaining things.

[@PZMedic]

Yes, yes, a thousand times yes! The music these days is abysmal.

[@stefanienicholas8071]

This is an amazing video. Forever amazed by your love for the Church and Christ!!

[@balintuna]

I absolutely love the mass!!! I used to like it because of the Eucharist but after reading the book of Revelations, I finally understood why Pope John Paul II described the mass as heaven on Earth, why the mass is truly INCOMPARABLE and that without it (when all Churches in the world stopped celebrating mass) the world would completely be enveloped with emptiness -- as if hell is truly on earth.

[@marketgarden8910]

Go to an Arabic Divine Litergy or a Latin Mass. They are beautiful. Also I advocate that priests MUST turn their backs to us while celebrating mass.

[@tessa7413]

Great video, my thoughts exactly. I wish that all our bishops and priests could see/listen to this video, and read through the comment section!

[@jaredespinosa1567]

I play guitar in my choir and recently I’ve been starting to think in a similar way. The way mass is being conducted to the music I’ve been playing feels more like it’s all a performance rather than a place to hear the lord’s words. At first I joined the choir because I wanted to use my talent and play guitar for God but nowadays it feels like I’m doing a concert every Sunday and I’m not sure what to do

[@CziffraNum]

At my church (Berlin, Germany) they only do organ- and choir music at mass. Sometimes there are concerts afterwards but its mainly classical music. There's also a Gregorian Chant-choir .

[@Leocomander]

Those darn charismatics.

[@colinjames9362]

We use modern music appropriately we love it and the people love it. Brings us into the presence of God and we can worship Him.

[@jcawalton]

Your best video yet. Keep it up.

[@wendyfield7708]

There are centuries of wonderful music for Mass that we should return to using

[@michal_marczynski]

I've been a musician in students ministry for 4 years now, and I'd like to reconcile both sides of the conflict here. I acknowledge there are some really corny songs that fit in 10-year-old child bands with jumpy rhythms and lyrics. There are however some truely great songs with deep theological lyrics that we perform during our academic Mass with guitars and we believe that when done properly, they do elevate the spirit of the liturgy. We have plenty of songs that while played on guitars and bass, they are calm and deep and spiritual and help people in their worship. Then again, we also do several a capella songs during every mass, especially during communion , because we appreciate the tradition.And above all that, we always need to remember, that Mass is celebrated for the glory of God, so our participation as musicans, need to be humble and respectful, so that people can focus on the altar rather than on the band.

[@thecatholicrabbi4170]

Michał Marczyński what hymns are they you play?

[@marybennett5602]

The neocatechumenal Way’s music is spot on. You won’t find studio quality recordings on KZbin, only what’s recorded at mass, reconciliation and other sacred meetings.

[@teribrant1989]

Thanks for clarifying. I totally agree. We do need better music and the dirges that I am forced to use from time to time drive me crazy. With so much good music out there, why can't some get into the Church? Not only do the upper powers-that-be need to change but the congregations need to change too. We need to use the music ministry for all it's power, and the congregations don't know what they are missing out on.

[@manub.3847]

The choice of music depends , where I live on different factors.Children / youth service musically designed by the children, If a School with a Choir or Music class is close bye they may also attend Mass and perform the Music(classical to modern).High Mass, Mass to the respective high church days, the choice of music corresponds to the occasion.An ecumenical service to special events also requires other music. (Eg send out the star-singer, as the ev. Lutheran communities participate)For the Holy First Communion, the children often design the mass musically and with a "performing" reading.If the church usually sings without the accompaniment of a choir, "simpler songs" are chosen rather than a choir being present for the service. As far as I know the music always represents the theme of the Mass. (Teachers, choir- leaders, Organist, dekans and priest have meetings where they chose the corresponding songs/music).

[@mariawebster8042]

Lex oradni, Lex credendi. The way you worship is the way you believe

[@Lepewhi]

I so completely agree. In my parish, sometimes there is beautiful organ music, very reverent. Sometimes, really bad out of tune guitars and bad singing and awful music. The problem is, you don't know what to expect. When will be ever be done with Folk Mass? When will the 70's and 80's end??? Bring back Gregorian Chant, I say.