Question for Priest/Religious with Musical Tendencies
  • StimsonInRehabStimsonInRehab
    Posts: 1,933
    So, for all the priests and religious on this website - no doubt many of you come from a religious background, and were even organists/choir directors/singers before you entered the religious life. My question is: do you find an "outlet" for your hobby in your time attending to your flock? Do you still find time to play/sing for liturgical services? Or do you live (no pun intended) vicariously through your DoMs?
  • vogelkwvogelkw
    Posts: 55
    I am sure that my musical background is quite limited compared to most who frequent this site. In high school I was in band (4 yrs) and choir (1 yr). I continued in the marching band in college for one year, until my physics courses made that too difficult to continue. (I also felt a little out of place being the only non-music major in the trombone section.) I sung with a group at Newman Center Masses for part of my time in college, but I was really introduced to sacred music while in the seminary choirs - the Benedictines at Conception Seminary and the choir and Fr. Weber's influence while at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary.

    During these past four years as an associate pastor (diocesan, not religious), I have continued to learn more through online resources like CMAA. As an associate I don't really have much say when it comes to Sunday Mass other than singing my parts at Mass, so I do have to find other "outlets." I may chant the entrance and communion antiphons at some weekday Masses for saints. For a little while I met with a small group and taught them about sacred music and prayed Morning Prayer with them. Also for a time I invited choir members to stay after their usual practice to chant compline. Both of those I don't really have time for anymore. I am always incorporating bits from the sacred music tradition into my different catechetical classes I give (adult formation, bible study, RCIA, school children, etc). I put together some musical aids for some prayers of a couple Marian groups that I am Spiritual Director for Legion of Mary and Teams of Our Lady, and led a group of parishioners to experience a modified version of a tenebrae service on good Friday. (If you follow any of those links you will see that I use a YouTube channel as a means of evangelization.) Things like that.

    Singing the Liturgy of the Hours when I have time is important to my prayer life. Recently I have been learning the hymns in Fr. Weber's Hymnal for the Hours, which has been wonderful. There are many times that I will listen to recordings of sacred music like the Gregorian propers for Sunday or polyphony as I work on other things, as the music at our parish Masses themselves does not always nourish me spiritually. I guess you could say music is a "hobby" since I am by far not a professional musician, but I rather see sacred music as an important source of evangelizing through the beauty of our Catholic faith.

    Thanks for the question.
    God bless,
    Fr. Vogel
    Thanked by 6canadash CHGiffen Ben CharlesW Earl_Grey eft94530
  • ClergetKubiszClergetKubisz
    Posts: 1,912
    ...the music at our parish Masses themselves does not always nourish me spiritually.


    This is completely off topic, but that's sad to hear. Unfortunately, that's also a sad reality in many parishes in the United States.
  • bhcordovabhcordova
    Posts: 1,164
    Fr. Vogel, it is always good & refreshing to meet a fellow trombonist. Why don't you check out The Trombone Forum? Maybe we can figure out a way for you to put in some 'face time' on your axe!
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