Sacred Liturgy and Quality.

Recently, I had the opportunity to play for and Extraordinary Form Mass and Closing of 40 Hours with Benediction. I've done this before, many times actually, however this time was quite different. First, I should preface this by presenting the fact that quality and what happened at last weeks Holy Mass go hand in hand.

I had to make do with a choir one quarter the size I have on Sundays, about six voices, it was a lobsided six voices, 4 women, 2 men, no tenors. So what was I to do? I used the Rossini Propers (which for the record I am not an advocate of). However, they are good singers I figured the propers would work well with them. But alas, I was thoroughly wrong. I've never heard people struggle with them as much as the choir did. My lesson learned, rehearse them much more before using them, especially for people who are not familiar with the method of singing them.


Next, I used Mass VIII, the most well known of all the Gregorian Masses. My mistake there, I hear you ask. The women had no idea where they were going with them, and with few men to back them up, the women who are not used to leading the Ordinary, fumbled around. Mediocre at best!

Then came Benediction. Now these people are all faithful Catholics, however it was like they had no idea what was going on at times, "We're singing this now?" was one question.

Now, why does this relate to quality? Well, because simply put we fumbled our way through Holy Mass. Far from enhancing it we detracted from it, we certainly didn't give beauty to the Mass, rather we "gave it our best", sadly our best wasn't that at all. Needless to say, the lesson learned, rehearse, even if you think people know it. Assumptions only get us into a world of trouble. Annnd, last but not least, people are more then understanding if you say, we can't do a High Mass tonight because the resources aren't there.

Laetare Sunday- Holy Rosary- Indianapolis, Indiana

This Sunday at 9:30 the choir of Holy Rosary will sing Missa Brevis by Palestrina, sans Gloria. This Mass is the Extraordinary Form.