Thoughts on Vespers at Saint Patrick's Cathedral

G

I hate the arm raising thing, but, uh, that kind of criticism makes me angry. It shows how dysfunctional we are.

Precisely! The non-experts, you see, weren't raising high enough, with enough emphasis and energy. (Because....what? if you only raise your arm a little the PIPs might think they're only supposed to sing half of the "alleluia"?)

The folks from the OofW I recall, if there were ever an "important" Mass and they came out to take it over, all belonged to the Airline-Attendant-Demonstrating-the-Escape-Routes-To-The-Last-Row-In-the-747-As-Symmetrically-As-Possible school of song leadership.

(Save the Liturgy, Save the World)

StimsonInRehab

We had people quit the music ministry because the diocesan lay ministry czar objected to the curve of their arms as being "insufficently welcoming" when they "brought the People in."

Reminds me of an anecdote from my theatrical days - I was directing a friend of mine in a production of The Robe and it came time for blocking his death scene, where he raises one hand to the Lord as he is on the verge of death. We spent fifteen minutes on blocking that brief moment, because he wasn't sure about how far he should extend his hand, and whether or not it would end up looking like a Carlist salute. Sigh.

I finally convinced him just do what felt natural. I try to exercise the same discretion when I cantor. Which is why I don't lift my arms at all.

Vilyanor

I was confused and embarrassed by Dolan's speech at the end.

I only caught the last bit, but the celebration seemed quite lacking in solemnity, particularly in Dolan's uncomfortable and out of place speech. Not much like the same Sacrifice offered by Christ on Holy Thursday, as the GILH states.

JaredOstermann

I'm curious why there is a Motet after the homily.

Jahaza

@jaredostermann

There's supposed to be a responsory at that point. The "motet" is substituting for it. This is arguably permitted, though I wouldn't have done it that way. From The General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours:

47. In a celebration with a congregation a short homily may follow the reading to explain its meaning, as circumstances suggest.

48. After the reading or homily a period of silence may be observed.

49. As a response to the word of God, a responsorial. chant[sic] or short responsory is provided; this may be omitted. Other chants with the same purpose and character may also be substituted in its place, provided these have been duly approved by the conference of bishops.

matthewj

I'm curious why there is a Motet after the homily.

I've seen this at several vespers held at different Cathedrals around the country, which has leads me to believe it's not a coincidence. Perhaps they do this at CRCCM events (I've not been to one yet).

melofluent

I'm curious why there is a Motet after the homily.

I want to wake up in a city
That doesn't sleep
And find I'm king of the hill
Top of the heap

Thanks, Sam, reasonable rationale.
But apropos to T.Cdl. Dolan's puffery, I think they did it "his way."

JaredOstermann

Sam,

Thanks - I had forgotten that passage. So, it's essentially "alius cantus aptus" but for the responsory instead of a processional chant. I would think just about anything musical could be justified there, just as it is for processional music.
If we are to be honest, though, it is very easy for this to just become a "musical moment" in the middle of vespers, where some interesting piece is listened to by all present. In my experience, being in a large music program where this was done, the rationale was to feature the choir (singing a variety of great pieces, certainly). This, in turn, is caused by an unwillingness to assign any of the actual psalmody or the magnificat to the choir (or, in a more charitable assessment, by the fact that the choir doesn't have any psalms or magnificats in its repertoire).

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