Gregorian Chant

[ithinkjesusiscool]

Why is it that people prefer other music than Gregorian chant at Mass?

[maximillion]

The chant was never designed for Mass....it came about as a result of a chanted form of the Psalms as used by monials (monks and nuns).

If there was chant at Mass it was sung by the monks or nuns, not by the people - most of whom at that time could not read.

 

In fact, since the chant was designed specifically for the psalmody, there are few parts of it that can be sung that way, even today.

 

Therefore, I don't think it is a case that people prefer other musical settings for the sung parts of the Mass, it is just that they do not lend themselves to Gregorian chant.

 

 

There are some very beautiful sung Masses.......but these are not Gregorian chant either.

 

 

 

 

[Nihil Obstat]

The Propers of the traditional Mass have developed in chant settings for in many cases 1500+ years. With that much organic development I think it is very safe to say that chant is an integral and characteristic part of the Roman Mass.

[An Historian]

The musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art. The main reason for this pre-eminence is that, as sacred song united to the words, it forms a necessary or integral part of the solemn liturgy. SC #112

 

The Church acknowledges Gregorian chant as specially suited to the Roman liturgy: therefore, other things being equal, it should be given pride of place in liturgical services. SC #116

 

Maybe one day the Church will actually listen to the Second Vatican Council.

[PhuturePriest]

The chant was never designed for Mass....it came about as a result of a chanted form of the Psalms as used by monials (monks and nuns).

If there was chant at Mass it was sung by the monks or nuns, not by the people - most of whom at that time could not read.

 

In fact, since the chant was designed specifically for the psalmody, there are few parts of it that can be sung that way, even today.

 

Therefore, I don't think it is a case that people prefer other musical settings for the sung parts of the Mass, it is just that they do not lend themselves to Gregorian chant.

 

 

There are some very beautiful sung Masses.......but these are not Gregorian chant either.

 

I can't help but feel you're not as knowledgeable about this subject as you think you are. In fact, the Second Vatican Council seems to disagree with you entirely. As was cited above:

 

The musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art. The main reason for this pre-eminence is that, as sacred song united to the words, it forms a necessary or integral part of the solemn liturgy. SC #112

 

The Church acknowledges Gregorian chant as specially suited to the Roman liturgy: therefore, other things being equal, it should be given pride of place in liturgical services. SC #116

 

With words like "specially suited to the Roman Liturgy", and "greater evn than that of any other art", you get the impression that Gregorian Chant is not only perfect for the Liturgy, but not even negotiable, at least, if you listen to the Council on the subject.

[ithinkjesusiscool]

Why is it that Priests and church musicians who read and studied the Vatican 2 documents pn Liturgy still does use enough Gregorian chan?

[Credo in Deum]

 

Why is it that Priests and church musicians who read and studied the Vatican 2 documents pn Liturgy still does use enough Gregorian chan?

 

 

I don't know, but let's contemplate the question over some amazing chant. 

 

 

 

http://youtu.be/OyIN6taZBC8

Edited May 4, 2014 by Credo in Deum