I have a quote from then-Cardinal Ratzinger that states the exact opposite:

"Three developments in recent music epitomize the problems that the Church has to face when she is considering liturgical music.

First of all, there is the cultural universalization that the Church has to undertake if she wants to get beyond the boundaries of the European mind. This is the question of what inculturation should look like in the realm of sacred music if, on the one hand, the identity of Christianity is to be preserved and, on the other, its universality is to be expressed in local forms.

Then there are two developments in music itself that have their origins primarily in the West but that for a long time have affected the whole of mankind in the world culture that is being formed. Modern so-called "classical" music has maneuvered itself, with some exceptions, into an elitist ghetto, which only specialists may enter -- and even they do so with what may sometimes be mixed feelings. The music of the masses has broken loose from this and treads a very different path.

On the one hand, there is pop music, which is certainly no longer supported by the people in the ancient sense (populus). It is aimed at the phenomenon of the masses, is industrially produced, and ultimately has to be described as a cult of the banal. "Rock", on the other hand, is the expression of elemental passions, and at rock festivals it assumes a cultic character, a form of worship, in fact, in opposition to Christian worship. People are, so to speak, released from themselves by the emotional shock of rhythm, noise, and special lighting effects. However, in the ecstasy of having all their defenses torn down, the participants sink, as it were, beneath the elemental force of the universe. The music of the Holy Spirit's sober inebriation seems to have little chance when self has become a prison, the mind is a shackle, and breaking out from both appears as a true promise of redemption that can be tasted at least for a few moments."

Oh, was it the priest at lifeteen? I remember as well.

Rock Music at Mass:

What part of "NO" don't you understand? Is it the "Nnn" or the "OoH"?

Confession: As the DRE at a former parish before I moved, I green-lit bringing Life Teen there. I wouldn't ever do it again. It's got good things going for it: Eucharist-centered and the learning material is orthodox overall. But this was like the salesman's foot in the door. Once in, it's like kudzu taking over everything. Now LT defenders will insist that you don't have to have an LT Mass, and that if the do get a Mass, you have to obey the priest about the kind of liturgy and music to be used. Well, that's very nice, but the fact is that unless the priest has head screwed on right and is actively on the alert for nonsense, there is enormous pressure to implement an LT Mass, and that Mass is highly-encouraged to be of the multi-media rock-concert sort. In other words, the standard operating procedure is to get away with as much as possible until the priest squeals.

P.S. I say this as a rock musician who has played the heaviest of heavy-metals and punk rock with lyrics that would curl you hair, so it's not like I'm some fuddy-duddy prude.

the standard operating procedure is to get away with as much as possible until the priest squeals

This is my modus operandi for getting more sacred music into our parish.

I just keeping thinking of the early '70s, when I remember watching Father glide majestically up the aisle in his usual way to the sounds of boompity-boompity-boom from the trashy drum set, and about eight guitarists strumming in unison. Seemed surreal even at age 12 or so.

Growing up the 70's and 80's I can tell you that these Masses did not bear much fruit.

Surprising that nobody brought this up yet.

Such a good write-up.

I keep waiting for someone to copyright the obvious TridenTeen slogan.

This is symptomatic of our modern focus-group, marketing type society.

Instead of being One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic, we've got different versions of the same one true sacrifice to try and cater to teenagers, to families, to the elderly, to traditionalists, etc. We're fracturing our rite, in order to try and bring different people in

Basically, the church is trying to change its appearance to suit everyone. But if you try to please everbody you end up pleasing nobody.

Does it not make more sense to have a wide variety of music at mass, drawing from Latin and English traditions? Heck, my church even sings in German, French and Italian at different times!

I used to sing for a Carols and Midnight Mass in a Parish where in the one night I would be expected to sing, Latin, English, German, Italian, Maltese, French, Spanish, Polish and Vietnamese.

In my experience Latin has always had a greater unifying factor. I was in Avila last year when I met a group of young Catholic from South America. I speak no Spanish and they spoke very little English. We whiled away a couple of hours by singing every Latin Hymn and Chant we could find in our prayer books.

But Teacher, you must realize that teens like to "hang-out" together. They like to be away from their parents (well I did anyway). Many parents don't bring their children/teens to Mass at all. If they find friends and they encourage one another to come, isn't that a good thing? I remember a Newman Centre when I was a graduate student. I was amazed at the hundreds of youth that came to Mass! The music wasn't great, but they encouraged one another to attend. I think that marrying a genre of music to the youth Mass is a problem and we can aim to improve this in our own parishes though it may be another uphill battle.

I hope I do as good a job as you have raising my homeschooled children! Mine are a little behind yours, age wise . I may be pm'ing you for advice!