Slightly Improper!

A good explanation here of where the Propers texts came from, and why they're not really so key in selecting music - especially if you're trying to establish a well-know repertoire:

https://www.praytellblog.com/index.php/2022/07/30/can-we-sing-just-anything-at-mass/

Everyone needs frequent confession? Or is it repentance that they need?

I ran across this article while researching a hymn that someone mis-heard the lyrics of:

Proud to Be Humble: Confession Is Not Always the Answer

I'm going to quote a small part:

I fear by insisting for so long on going to Confession as a pious duty and almost a goal in itself, we have created a sick spirituality that fosters the worst form of religious pride – the exact opposite of what repentance and Confession are meant to lead us to.

It is not more frequent confession we should be encouraging, but “a contrite and humbled heart”

IMHO, it's not only an Orthodox thing.   And is a message that OLPs (ordinary lay people) need to focus on:  the sacramental icing on the cake is a nice thing to have, the real work comes on yourself beforehand.

The purpose of music in worship

Apparently Sacrosanctum Concilium says that the function of music is to 

"add delight to prayer, foster unity of minds, or confer greater solemnity upon the sacred rites."

Interesting use of OR before the last clause. 

The full quote is   

Therefore sacred music is to be considered the more holy in proportion as it is more closely connected with the liturgical action, whether it adds delight to prayer, fosters unity of minds, or confers greater solemnity upon the sacred rites. But the Church approves of all forms of true art having the needed qualities, and admits them into divine worship.

ref:  https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19631204_sacrosanctum-concilium_en.html

An alternative spiritual communion prayer

Thank you, Kate Keeffe - https://www.musicformass.blog/2020/06/10/virtual-corpus-christi-corporeal-computer/

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God / by the will of the Father and the work of the Holy Spirit / your death brought life to the world./ By your holy body and blood / free me from all my sins and from every evil. / Keep me faithful to your teaching, / and never let me be parted from you.

Art History resources

Khan Academy art history course - https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ap-art-history#start-here-apah

Christian Art - Reading the daily gospel through Art - https://www.christian.art/

Theology of Sound

Since moving to Ireland, I've felt that there was something spiritual about traditional music.

Was it just the sense of community?  Maybe, but maybe not.

Today I saw a reference to:

the growing field of sonic theology which gives words to “the role of sound and vibration in the spiritual domain.”

Bingo! It's not just me.

A very quick read says that so far more of the research has been in non-Christian traditions. But I sense that will change - 'tis a topic to keep an eye out for.

Communion stations are a bad idea because ...

I've always thought that the whole "communion stations" idea was a bit off. The only words I had to explain why was the idea that as Christian community we should all be moving in the same direction.


This is a far better statement: https://www.praytellblog.com/index.php/2018/06/28/amen-corner-theres-always-room-at-the-table/

Key points

Having been invited to “draw near with faith,” we are stopped in our tracks by [someone saying] “Thus far shall you come and no farther” ( Job 38:11).

Having declared that “We do not presume to come to this [the Lord’s] table trusting in our own righteousness,” we are dispatched away from it, down to the rear of the building.

This [is] ... inappropriate ... in the name of the one who [said] “Anyone who comes to me I will never turn away” ( John 6:37).

In most [places, communion stations are] unnecessary with, [enough] ministers of the Eucharist, the removal of redundant furniture and unsightly clutter, [and} ... some simple logistical planning .... At least then, even if the communicants cannot literally be at the holy table, they can draw near it and see it.

The communion procession ... is so much richer than the practical matter of getting from A to B. It is a ritual expression of our identity as fellow pilgrims on a journey to the heavenly banquet, singing as we walk.