Category Archives: Liturgical Music

Gathering Another Time

Posted on 21 May 2021 by catholicsensibility

An e-mail dropped yesterday announcing GIA’s newest iteration of the Gather hymnal. My cursory glance found much the same, minus two disgraced composers. GIA’s acquisition of WLP will be something of a boon (eighty-plus items) for their stable of composers. … Continue reading →

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Easter Sequence Rerun

Posted on 8 April 2021 by catholicsensibility

Richard Clark discusses the possibilities here. We’ve discussed it on this site a few times through the years. I was sorry the idea never came up in my last parish. Liturgical ideas like extending the celebration of Easter Sunday to … Continue reading →

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St Thomas Or Plainchant

Posted on 6 March 2021 by catholicsensibility

Asked to play Benediction last night. I asked the deacon which tune was more familiar for Tantum Ergo, St Thomas or the plainchant. I didn’t refer to them as such; I just sang the two. I was hoping for door number … Continue reading →

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Doctrine On Led By The Spirit

Posted on 3 February 2021 by catholicsensibility

The US Bishops’ Doctrine Committee has their document on hymn texts up on the USCCB web site. I’m still not a fan on the work. I think the concerns listed–Eucharist, Trinity, Church–are serious and difficult theological topics. I’ve heard preachers … Continue reading →

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Some Songs Are A Struggle

Posted on 20 January 2021 by catholicsensibility

In my new parish, there is ample repertoire I’ve not ever played or sung at Mass before. My predecessors built a significant body of music. By my count over four-hundred pieces over the past five years, excluding psalm settings. My … Continue reading →

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Lift Ev’ry Voice

Posted on 15 January 2021 by catholicsensibility

To be clear, the proposal is a national hymn, not a replacement for the national anthem. First verse sings as follows: Lift ev’ry voice and sing, Till earth and heaven ring, Ring with the harmonies of liberty; Let our rejoicing … Continue reading →

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Naming Persons

Posted on 30 December 2020 by catholicsensibility

The USCCB doctrine committee is rightfully concerned with how the Trinity and the Persons of the Trinity are named in texts of liturgical music. On one hand, there is a very serious matter of theology. Who is God? How does … Continue reading →

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Doctrine And Welcome

Posted on 18 December 2020 by catholicsensibility

The USCCB doctrine committee has been dogged in its other public pronouncements by misunderstanding or misinterpreting what it considers. It has happened with theologians. It continues in the Catholic Hymnody document on this link. Before I get into the critique of … Continue reading →

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Doctrine And Second Form

Posted on 16 December 2020 by catholicsensibility

An awkward spot for the USCCB Doctrine committee is how it handles “cup.” I think what it says about wine is well-taken. Though I think context is always key. Altar wine is the subject of stringent regulations. Grapes and wine … Continue reading →

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Doctrine vs Lord of the Dance

Posted on 15 December 2020 by catholicsensibility

One of the more curious interpretations is how the USCCB Doctrine Committee handled the popular text, “Lord of the Dance.” Before I get to that, let me say that my first introduction to the tune in a liturgical setting was … Continue reading →

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Catholic Hymnody At The Service, A Larger Repertoire

Posted on 14 December 2020 by catholicsensibility

Check this link to the USCCB Doctrine Committee’s “Catholic Hymnody at the Service of the Church: An Aid for Evaluating Hymn Lyrics.” I’d like to affirm this thought, one that has long guided by attempts to build a parish repertoire … Continue reading →

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Catholic Hymnody At The Service, Take One

Posted on 13 December 2020 by catholicsensibility

Liam provided this link from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula for the USCCB Doctrine Committee’s “Catholic Hymnody at the Service of the Church: An Aid for Evaluating Hymn Lyrics.” It’s not a long document–only twelve pages in the main. A few overall … Continue reading →

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Mismanaging Music Ministry

Posted on 12 December 2020 by catholicsensibility

A small social media discussion broke out about a headline “All Are Welcome Not A Welcome Hymn.” Nice headline, but not terribly illuminating. Apparently the USCCB doctrine committee produced a document a few months ago, “Catholic Hymnody at the Service … Continue reading →

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Advent Lectionary: Isaiah 63:16b-17

Posted on 29 November 2020 by catholicsensibility

The Lectionary framers stitched together pieces of Isaiah to lead out the first reading of Advent in cycle B. This opening plea stood out for me: You, LORD, are our father, our redeemer you are named forever. Why do you … Continue reading →

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What Contemporary?

Posted on 27 November 2020 by catholicsensibility

A musical friend forwarded me this piece from last week’s America. I don’t know my friend’s take, really. Surprise that the organ-guitar wars are still waging in some minds a half-century later? She asked for my opinion. Journalist Addison del … Continue reading →

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