St. Pius X’s Tra Le Solecitudini (1903) states in paragraph 14:

It will also be fitting that singers while singing in church wear the ecclesiastical habit and surplice, and that they be hidden behind
gratings when the choir is excessively open to the public gaze.

Having all of us choir members in ecclesiastical habits and surplices would be pretty cool (we would need a budget for that, though). But hiding us behind gratings? Are we that ugly? Has there been much of a danger that we might distract the assembly? Maybe back then – but not anymore, apparently. Now churches are designed with the choir in front, only a few feet from the altar. Why/how has this change happened?

Maybe it’s their way of keeping us from scratching our armpits and picking our noses while fulfilling our ministry…

From Pope Pius XII’s De musica sacra et sacra liturgia (1958):

“The ancient and venerable custom of chanting Vespers
with the people on Sundays and feastdays, according to rubrics,
should be preserved where it now exists, and should be introduced
in those places where it does not exist to the extent that it is possible,
at least several times a year.“

Apparently, the pope had many of the faithful attending vespers. And he wanted more vesper services with more people attending.

That was 60 years ago. He lost that battle.

From De musica sacra et sacra liturgia, by Pope Pius XII, 1958

39. What are called “synchronized” Masses are forbidden,
however. By this term is understood Masses celebrated in the following way: two or more priests at one or more altars simultaneously celebrating the Mass in such a way that all the actions and all the words are done and said at the same time, even using–particularly if the number of celebrants is large–some modern instruments with which the absolute uniformity or “synchronization” can more easily be achieved.

What on earth is going on here? I tried Googling this and found nothing. What were they doing back in 1958? (I think I’d forbid it too.)

Sometimes people says things that give me the impression that they have a personal grace-o-meter in their pockets. They, presumably, have the means to measure active manifestations of the Holy Spirit. I don’t have one (at least I don’t think I do… perhaps if I looked hard enough through all my clutter, I might find one), but if I did, I have one suspicion.

I suspect that singing groups with more members would tend to get higher readings on that grace-o-meter.

Make sense?

More choir members would also make the parish look more vibrant and attractive too, yes?

“Carry out your mission with joy, with love, with reverence, and dedication… This is a priceless service you are giving to the Church… You must devote all your power to that service.”

Pope Paul VI

…know that I love music ministry. I have been this way since I was 18. During Freshman week at Notre Dame I saw the booth for the Chapel Choir, and I was hooked for life. Since singing bass in a large SATB choir that specialized in chant and polyphony (do you know what that is?), I have served as instrumentalist, member, director in multiple parishes and multiple states (and heck, countries!). I have experienced the glorious joys, and the unspeakable aches that come with this ministry. I have seen brilliant people in action. I have seen some flakes. I have made some of my best friends.

I have seen miracles.

The question that keeps coming up–from others–and sometimes, even myself–why do this? That is the question I aim to address in this blog.

This is an example post, originally published as part of Blogging University. Enroll in one of our ten programs, and start your blog right.

You’re going to publish a post today. Don’t worry about how your blog looks. Don’t worry if you haven’t given it a name yet, or you’re feeling overwhelmed. Just click the “New Post” button, and tell us why you’re here.

Why do this?

• Because it gives new readers context. What are you about? Why should they read your blog?
• Because it will help you focus you own ideas about your blog and what you’d like to do with it.

The post can be short or long, a personal intro to your life or a bloggy mission statement, a manifesto for the future or a simple outline of your the types of things you hope to publish.

To help you get started, here are a few questions:

• Why are you blogging publicly, rather than keeping a personal journal?
• What topics do you think you’ll write about?
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You’re not locked into any of this; one of the wonderful things about blogs is how they constantly evolve as we learn, grow, and interact with one another — but it’s good to know where and why you started, and articulating your goals may just give you a few other post ideas.

Can’t think how to get started? Just write the first thing that pops into your head. Anne Lamott, author of a book on writing we love, says that you need to give yourself permission to write a “crappy first draft”. Anne makes a great point — just start writing, and worry about editing it later.

When you’re ready to publish, give your post three to five tags that describe your blog’s focus — writing, photography, fiction, parenting, food, cars, movies, sports, whatever. These tags will help others who care about your topics find you in the Reader. Make sure one of the tags is “zerotohero,” so other new bloggers can find you, too.