| Question Title | Posted By | Question Date |
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| re: Drums at mass | Chas | Wednesday, January 14, 2009 |
Question: Mr. Slavek, going back to your reply on 9-27-08. From Musicam Sacram: "63. In permitting and using musical instruments, the culture and traditions of individual peoples must be taken into account. However those instruments which are, by common opinion and use, suitable for secular music only, are to be altogether prohibited from every liturgical celebration and from popular devotions." Would you agree that this is open to many types of interpretation? Starting with “.. the culture and traditions of individual peoples..”. What does this mean exactly? Is this talking about culture and traditions of say people in Africa where drums and dancing are very common in worship? What about in Japan where various types of string instruments are used? Also in Mexico mariachi music is extremely traditional and imbedded in their culture. As a child growing up preVatican II in the US, I remember mariachi groups used for devotions to our Lady of Guadalupe and still in use to this day. However since in the US there are people of many diverse cultures wouldnt the use of musical instruments of these individual peoples be allowed if there are enough people of that culture in certain parishes? I know in our city there is usually a “Dixieland” mass once year in our Cathedral. I dont attend. I dont think I could put up with a screeching clarinet, blaring trumpet, trombone all going different directions as they play "O Sacrament Most Holy" while processing up to communion. :) Also the words ".. suitable for secular music ONLY..” (emphasis mine)I can understand electric guitars, or acoustic steel string guitars, but acoustic guitars with nylon string have been around for centuries. How can we say that acoustic nylon string guitars are suitable ONLY for secular music? Thanks in advance for your comments. PSThere are no guitars used in my parish…strictly Organ and during special occasion other classical instruments, i.e. French horns, timpani, violins may be used. |
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| Question Answered by Mr. Jacob Slavek
Dear Chas, I don't agree that the actual statement is open to interpretation, but what IS open is exactly what instruments by name are suitable for sacred use. The authority responsible for making that interpretation would be the local bishops. This would mostly be an issue only in mission areas where evangelization is difficult enough without the added burden of introducing a whole new culture as well as the Faith. About the classical guitar: the documents usually stop short of naming specific instruments, so personally I would group the nylon guitar with any other classical instrument. When deciding whether or not to use these instruments, one question to ask is "what sacred music is written for this instrument". In other words, you can't just play folk music on a classical instrument, the music itself must be appropriate as well. There is a large body of works written for the sacred orchestra, but I am not aware of any written for the classical guitar. (I could be wrong on that) Personally I would pass on the classical guitar in favor of the instrument that Rome has praised many times, that is the pipe organ. (as well as of course the human voice) Mr. Slavek Footer Notes: (a) A Eucharistic Minister is clergy (Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion). Laity are Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and should never be called Eucharistic Ministers. (b) There is no such Mass called the Novus Ordo. The Current Mass is the Roman Missal of 2000, or the Oridinary Form of the Mass. The Tridentine Mass is the Roman Missal of 1962, or the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. Please refrain from using the term, Novus Ordo. Thanks. (c) The titles of Acolyte and Lector belong exclusively to the Installed Offices of Acolyte and Lector, who are men (only) appointed by the Bishop. These roles performed by others are Altar Servers and Readers, respectively. |
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