My Daily Domestic Diigolet 04/05/2008

It seems impossible that at the Pope’s April 17th Mass in Washington, D.C., that anyone could possibly schedule The Mass of Creation by Marty Haugen,: the Sanctus, the “Great Amen,” and Agnus Dei. Composed in 1984 (I think), with obvious Broadway influence and overdone melodrama, it has been an unrelenting presence in parishes all over the country. In fact, it is legendarily over used, in every season, again and again and again, so much so that these parts of the Mass sometimes seems like the movie Groundhog Day.

“God of Power, God of Might.” “Jesus, Lamb of God.” The text departs not only from the Latin but even from the ICEL translation approved for English use. In this sense–and it is a small thing with big symbolic importance–how could it be possible that this setting would be used at a Mass celebrated by the Pope?

How could be that people would come from all over the country to attend a Papal Mass and hear music that is nothing but an overdone version of the cheap Broadway styles that they have to endure in their own parishes every week? How could organizers possibly use an English Mass setting such as this when the Pope has been working so hard to encourage liturgies that live up to the promise of Vatican II, which placed primacy on Gregorian chant?

Not even the “praise music” crowd is willing to defend this Mass setting anymore. They have regretted its prominence for years. For most young priests, it is the bane of their liturgical lives. They stamp it out as soon as they arrive in a new parish. On the street, it is known as the “Massive Cremation.” This is hardly the best America has to offer.