Music and Religion

I've been brought up in (and remain a semi-active member of) the Roman Catholic Church. Liturgical music has always been a prevalent entity of my life. My mother prides herself in being a member of our parish choir for twenty years, even singing entirely throughout her pregnancy with me. I have played violin for countless Masses and prayer services, and by simply going through the motions of attending Church every week, becoming accustomed to the liturgical calendar and the cycle of hymns therein, the music of my faith has been etched in my subconscious. 

Music in Christianity is meant to bring the congregation together. With (hopefully) everyone joining in song, we are unified all the more strongly in proclaiming our faith; as Sister Margaret would say: "When you sing you're praying twice!" The assembly of Vatican II in the 1960s brought on the institution of modernized practices in the Roman Catholic Church. No longer would the Mass be said entirely in Latin, nor would there be long stretches of chant. Many of the "old fashioned" hymns' verses were re-written in colloquial English, in place of the antiquated, Shakespearian prose. I can wholly understand the intent of these changes, for when one actually apprehends and can participate in a liturgy, s/he can connect more intensely with the faith.

For me, I derive a deeper spiritual fulfillment from the solemnity of tradition. By trying to smooth the rough edges of a service that is otherwise seen as "cold" and intimidating, I think one loses the sanctity of it.

I attended a German Mass in downtown Cleveland the day before I returned to Converse. Although I did not have the slightest idea of what the Gospel or readings were about, I still connected with the music. To hear a real pipe organ instead of a keyboard and electric drum set, to sing a traditional carol, verse by verse (even in a language that I could barely pronounce), I felt comforted, at home, and spiritually moved. I rediscovered the importance of music in religious celebration.