Divine Renovation by Fr James Mallon

Viola

I was recently given this book to read by my new boss, and found it inspiring and challenging. I wonder if other people have read it, and if so what are their thoughts?
For those who haven't read the book: in a (short) section on liturgical music, Fr Mallon emphasises that uplifting music is essential to parish renewal and growth, but he also makes some specific points. Eg, church music should 'strive to embrace the new and the old' should concentrate on praising God rather than dwelling on the individual, and should encourage the congregation to sing. He also feels strongly that quality is important; a seemingly obvious point until one looks around.

In his parish there are 4 weekend Masses, each of which sticks to a particular style of music. Plainchant and 'Latin Mass parts' seem to be sometimes included with traditional hymns at the main Sunday Mass, but are not always present.
At the parish I have just joined there is something similar in place; the idea being that parishioners choose the Mass that suits them best. Do people agree with this approach?

ClergetKubisz

It seems like "progressive" and "Spirit of Vatican II" Pastors, liturgists, and laity are all way too concerned with this notion of style. Everything is about the "style" of music during Mass. "Oh, some people PREFER this style, or that style," or, "you can't do this or that style because NOBODY LIKES IT," etc.

"Uplifting" music is difficult/impossible to define objectively because the way the word is used is a self-reference: what I find "uplifting." I posted on another thread that it is likely that the issue of "upbeat" and "uplifting" music is one of attempting to reclaim the energy and excitement surrounding the immediate time period following the Second Vatican Council, and has nothing really to do with parish renewal and growth.

"Strive to embrace the old and the new," this indicates clearly that author thinks we should not serve the Lord with the music at Mass, but the whims and preferences of whatever congregation you happen to have in front of you at the time.

"Parishioners choose the Mass that suits them best." This is also an indication of the self-centered ideas in many US parishes: "I don't like (insert whatever here), so I will go to (insert Mass time here)." The idea being that giving people a choice will increase the odds that they will find something they like. The problem with that is that the emphasis is on people liking something, or getting them to like it.

I believe I would like to quote our dear Noel Jones:

hilluminar

Here are some thoughts I have in regard to Fr. Mallon's book:

1. "Church music should strive to embrace the new and the old." Yes. That is what the Eastern rites have always done. For instance in the Maronite rite, certain prayers and hymns are chanted in Syriac (an ancient liturgical language for modern Arabic speakers, comparable to Latin in the Roman rite), others are chanted in the vernacular tongue, and the Eucharistic Prayer/Canon/Anaphora is always chanted in Aramaic, the language Jesus spoke. That is a proper embrace of "the new and the old". If those who implemented the OF would have practiced this principle, and allowed Latin alongside the vernacular tongue in Masses, there would not have been such a huge backlash against the OF.

2. "(Church music) should concentrate on praising God rather than dwelling on the individual." Yes. "Jewish heritage and the Church: selected studies" has this to say: "Much of the music of the Christians of today seems shallow. It is not worship in the Hebrew tradition. It often focuses almost exclusively on human problems, experiences, and needs, rather than extolling and praising the greatness of God. Though the Hebrews did not eliminate the human dimension from their songs, their songs usually had motifs that inspired faith and deeper commitment to the teachings of God's truth. The Hebrews learned much of their knowledge of theology and Hebrew history from reciting in song the redemptive acts of God. The Church today would do well to rethink its concept of hymnology and music in the light of the songs of Sacred Scripture."

3. "(Church music) should encourage congregations to sing." Yes, all the faithful should sing, "for the Saints, with angels and archangels, with Thrones and Dominations and all the heavenly hosts, fill the heavens each day with a never-ending song of glory: Holy, Holy, Holy," says St. Thomas Aquinas. We should strive to be like the angels.

4. "Quality is important." Yes.

NihilNominis

The role of music at Mass is much subtler than described. Sometimes it is a hymn of praise (gloria), sometimes a litany of supplication (kyrie), sometimes a profession of faith (creed), sometimes an exercise in lectio divina or in "timely proclamation" of the Word within the context of the mysteries being celebrated, as so many proper chants are, esp. Graduals. To reduce it simply to God-focused congregational uplift is to rob it of historic purpose.

Also, why are we rethinking everything all the time? The point is, as we are discovering, a reform was only possible once, when we had the advantage of linguistic and musical unity as a common starting point. An uneasy consensus has been reached that preserves the illusion of unity, although it is supported by straw. If we used and loved our tradition, it would do everything we demand of sacred music.

Chris Garton-Zavesky

The book appears to contradict itself.

should concentrate on praising God rather than dwelling on the individual

4 weekend Masses, each of which sticks to a particular style of music

The style isn't based on an aesthetic definition of beauty (Gothic, Romanesque, Cubist)
but on a style, so that people can pick what suits them best.

CharlesW

There was a local crazy, long since justifiably fired, who scheduled the masses along the lines of music tempo designations. There was an allegro mass, presumably upbeat. Also an andante mass, more subdued. If I recall correctly, there was an adagio mass which must have been intended to appeal to us older folks. I think they should have had a nuts mass for goofy musicians with no understanding of the sacredness or majesty of liturgy.

kevinf

Having read this book, I found it preposterous and frankly, a load of bulsh-t.
The man has no clue of the liturgical music tradition and is applying the "seeker" language of the Willow Point in Chicago. Its consumerism dressed up in "religious" language.

Please, do not waste your time.

Liam

Unfortunately, Viola's boss gave it to her with the message that the boss found it inspiring and challenging. Read it, then ask that boss what made it so....

eft94530

Kevin: Willow ... Chicago

By the time this kind of "thing" gets to the RCC,
it is no longer really a "thing" is it?

From 2007 oct 30 ...
http://www.christianheadlines.com/news/a-shocking-confession-from-willow-creek-community-church-11558438.html

From 2009 jul 30 ...
http://blog.ourchurch.com/2009/07/30/why-willow-creek-and-saddleback-are-losing-influence-while-north-point-and-lifechurchtv-are-gaining-influence/

From 2011 jun 17 ...
http://thehumanist.com/july-august-2011/why-half-the-people-joining-churches-choose-the-mega-variety/

From 2015 aug 04 ...
http://www.nwherald.com/2015/08/04/willow-creek-church-looks-to-expand-eyeing-purchase-of-former-industrial-facility-near-downtown-crystal-lake/a990pj5/

From 2015 sep 26 ...
http://www.christianpost.com/news/evangelical-pastor-rick-warren-speaks-at-catholics-world-meeting-of-families-146225/
"Warren said he was inspired as a teen by the late Catholic Bishop Fulton Sheen."

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