In January of this year, Pope Leo reminded us that the documents that came out of the Second Vatican Council (1963-65) are still the “guiding star” for the Church’s activity. He has started giving catechetical addresses on the documents including Lumen Gentium and the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy. I found them at this link on the Vatican website: 2026 If you have time, read some of them in order to rediscover the insights from this groundbreaking Council.
In remembering the teachings of Vatican II, I am also recalling my reactions to the implementation of the documents and the changes in the liturgy that I experienced. I would like to share some recollections with you over these next weeks. Your memories may be different from mine, or you might not have been born yet, but my experiences shaped my life as a liturgist, and I hope exploring them will be helpful in reflecting on our recent history as a Church.
A significant change was the addition of different types of music in the Mass. As a child, I attended Low Mass or High Mass, even on Sundays. Low Mass had no music or singing whatsoever. High Mass had music, but it was sung by a choir, not by the people. My father was the choir director and my mother was the organist, so my brothers and I sat in the choir loft, and we went to High Mass on a regular basis.
One of the first changes I remember, besides the Mass being in English, was that we began to sing the parts of the Mass such as the Glory to God and the Holy, but we also began singing Entrance music, a Communion song, a song at the end of the Mass and some other songs as well. There weren’t many songs in English that fit the Mass, and I recall use of many popular songs that had to do with love for one another. Check out Love is All Around by the Troggs as one example. I think we changed the words if the text was getting “physical,” but love songs and folk songs like Blowin’ in the Wind were used. Songs that were Christian but not Eucharistic also turned up: Michael, Row the Boat Ashore; This Little Light of Mine; He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands. English composers began writing music for Mass and soon we had They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love; Here We Are All Together; and Joy is Like the Rain. Hundreds of Church composers have followed writing songs now loved by churchgoers all over. (Think Be Not Afraid and On Eagle’s Wings).
I know that some people hated the use of songs that weren’t really about God and detested music that didn’t use the organ but instead allowed other instruments including guitars and drums at Mass. I agree that some of our early choices were unsuitable. I chalk them up to growing pains. I think music at Mass has come a long way. Appropriate texts are selected to fit the part of the Mass. Organ is used when fitting, but other instruments enhance the sung prayer. The Mass I attended last weekend used piano, mandolin, violin, cello, and flute. It was beautiful.
For me, the special factor is that music allows me to participate by joining the community in song and praying the texts. After all, since love is lord of Heaven and earth, How can I keep from singing?
