Sunday, March 05, 2006
MUSIC AT MASS
For the last several years at my parish we sing the Chant Mass during Lent. Today was no exception. This involves the Kyrie (in Greek), the Sanctus and the Agnus Dei (in Latin) chanted in a solemn tone. It sets a certain mood which is very appropriate for a penetential season.
But along with the Chant Mass there are other hymns used as well. Those are accompanied by guitar and piano. They sound sort of cheerful because of the instruments used, even though the words are appropriate to the season. Because of this use of both traditional and modern music, the mood repeatedly shifts throughout the Mass. This creates an emotional jumble, as though one minute we are upbeat and the next pensive and reflective, then back to upbeat, and back to pensive and reflective. I kept trying to shake off the last mood in order to embrace the current mood as each successive segment was sung or chanted, and it wasn't working. Finally I just mentally backed away from the mood and become an observer of it.
This experience reminded me a lot of what Diogenes was saying just the other day.
Father's homily was interesting. He focused on various symbols such as the rainbow from the reading and the various ways that darkness and light play a part in the Season of Lent.
Lastly, apparently Bishop Pilla arranged to meet with those who are going through RCIA this year. There was an announcement at Mass that the RCIA ritual which took place today (I should know which one, but alas I've forgotten) was being held at the Cathedral instead of in the parish. Sounds like a good idea to have the converts see the Bishop and get to know him a little bit. Hope none of them had a problem driving into downtown Cleveland for this event.
