The Catholic Message Board

So, since the beginning of Advent my parish choir has changed the music to being one constant theme. Every song now is carried to the theme and tune of "O come, o come Emmanuel," including such songs as the "Hosanna", the "Amen," the "Lamb of God," etc. Which is is fine and not something that I have any real problem with.

The problem is that the week prior and now this past Sunday they've included changing the Doxology where usually the priest chants in the Gregorian mode when holding up the Eucharist instead he's attempted to sing it according to the same theme....and I don't know who or what would have happened to him to be compelled to do this because he's clearly not comfortable doing it. The words of the Doxology clearly don't "fit" with the theme they're trying to incorporate with it and he's clearly and truly trying to do his best it seems to be a stretch too far for him. In trying to sing according to the tune half the words wind up being mumbled and incomprehensible. It's obvious that he's embarrassed to do it and I feel embarrassed for him. I think that it's extraordinarliy unfair to have him be placed in this position while trying to perform his duties at the altar.

What I'm wondering is whether or not if this is even licit to do in the Doxology.

I think as long as they aren't changing the words singing it any which way is ok if still a very bad idea. One of the parishes we frequently attend has started doing this (but not so far as the doxology afaik). We find it horrific and are actively avoiding until after Christmas. Why anyone would think something so obnoxious and annoying is beyond me!

zeno wrote: ↑Mon Dec 18, 2023 2:52 pm I think as long as they aren't changing the words singing it any which way is ok if still a very bad idea. One of the parishes we frequently attend has started doing this (but not so far as the doxology afaik). We find it horrific and are actively avoiding until after Christmas. Why anyone would think something so obnoxious and annoying is beyond me!

Could be worse, it could be to the tune of Cohen's "Hallelujah" instead!

Real talk - O Come, O Come Emmanuel is a dreary, overused hymn.

peregrinator wrote: ↑Mon Dec 18, 2023 5:02 pm

zeno wrote: ↑Mon Dec 18, 2023 2:52 pm I think as long as they aren't changing the words singing it any which way is ok if still a very bad idea. One of the parishes we frequently attend has started doing this (but not so far as the doxology afaik). We find it horrific and are actively avoiding until after Christmas. Why anyone would think something so obnoxious and annoying is beyond me!

Could be worse, it could be to the tune of Cohen's "Hallelujah" instead!

Real talk - O Come, O Come Emmanuel is a dreary, overused hymn.

Thing is, I did not spend the first part of my life in a liturgical world, so, "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" is still sentimental to me.

in fairness there aren't too many advent hymns so it's no wonder we hear o come o come Emmanuel, though outside of the horror described above we haven't heard it much this year really. O Come Divine Messiah is a favorite of mine (and I really like Advent at Ephesus for music for the season).

Gandalf the Grey wrote: ↑Mon Dec 18, 2023 2:42 pm The words of the Doxology clearly don't "fit" with the theme they're trying to incorporate with it and he's clearly and truly trying to do his best it seems to be a stretch too far for him. In trying to sing according to the tune half the words wind up being mumbled and incomprehensible. It's obvious that he's embarrassed to do it and I feel embarrassed for him. I think that it's extraordinarliy unfair to have him be placed in this position while trying to perform his duties at the altar.

If this is the pastor, he needs to act like the pastor and tell the music people to go pound sand. If it's the parochial vicar, I guess it's an opportunity for him to grow in holiness through practicing humility.

It's licit. But I forbid my choirs to sing OCOCE before Dec. 17.

gherkin wrote: ↑Mon Dec 18, 2023 5:54 pm

Gandalf the Grey wrote: ↑Mon Dec 18, 2023 2:42 pm The words of the Doxology clearly don't "fit" with the theme they're trying to incorporate with it and he's clearly and truly trying to do his best it seems to be a stretch too far for him. In trying to sing according to the tune half the words wind up being mumbled and incomprehensible. It's obvious that he's embarrassed to do it and I feel embarrassed for him. I think that it's extraordinarliy unfair to have him be placed in this position while trying to perform his duties at the altar.

If this is the pastor, he needs to act like the pastor and tell the music people to go pound sand. If it's the parochial vicar, I guess it's an opportunity for him to grow in holiness through practicing humility.

He's the associate pastor.

peregrinator wrote: ↑Mon Dec 18, 2023 5:02 pm Could be worse, it could be to the tune of Cohen's "Hallelujah" instead!

I'd smack myself on the head with a hymnal if I heard that, assuming I couldn't reach the choir director.

How good is your arm? Can you throw a hymnal accurately into the choir loft?

Obi-Wan Kenobi wrote: ↑Wed Dec 20, 2023 6:38 pm How good is your arm? Can you throw a hymnal accurately into the choir loft?

I don't know about Riverboat but I got tendonitis in my right elbow so I'm not throwing anything at anyone for the time being.

I just went through elbow rehab. I'm not throwing anything either.

Obi-Wan Kenobi wrote: ↑Wed Dec 20, 2023 6:38 pm How good is your arm? Can you throw a hymnal accurately into the choir loft?

This is a GREAT game for the next church festival!!!

(I missed this board. Some comments in this thread made me actually laugh out loud. I don't know they were intended to do so but nonetheless, good show. Thanks and thanks for being informative at the same time ).

They probably were. Glad we helped!

New one on me ... the parish I attended last weekend set the Gloria to the tune of Angels We Have Heard on High.

zeno wrote: ↑Thu Jan 04, 2024 7:08 pm New one on me ... the parish I attended last weekend set the Gloria to the tune of Angels We Have Heard on High.

Oh I've heard that one. Not a fan

I don't sing anyway, but that one's impossible to sing. Nobody knows what's going on.

I agree with peregrinator.

Obi-Wan Kenobi wrote: ↑Wed Dec 20, 2023 6:38 pm How good is your arm? Can you throw a hymnal accurately into the choir loft?

I couldn't hit a peach basket with a marble if I were standing over it. But I can wait 'til he comes downstairs for a little surprise.