Category Archives: The Mass

Insipid Church Music: A Role in the Crisis?

Posted on September 19, 2018 by marklangley

As a liturgical musician I can’t help wondering to what extent the insipid and vapid music prevalent in our churches has contributed to the present crisis. That there is more than a mere coincidental connection between the squishy feel-good liturgical music … Continue reading →

Posted in Homer, Homer Sightings, Sacred Music, Socrates, The Mass | Tagged , , , | 57 Comments

How Do You Restore Sacred Music? A Diocesan Directive Would Help.

Posted on July 29, 2017 by marklangley

I have no idea how his pastoral directive was received, but a belated bravo to Bishop John F. Doerfler of the Diocese of Marquette! Although given on January 26, 2016, I had only become aware of his pastoral directive  on sacred music … Continue reading →

Posted in beauty, Custom, Sacred Music, Sacrosanctum Consilium, The Mass | Tagged , , , | 13 Comments

Is There Such a Thing as Catholic Music?

Posted on April 1, 2017 by marklangley

A choir loft is a good place to get a whole view of what is going on at Mass. In fact, it is the only place in a Church where a bird’s-eye view is possible. Of course it is mostly a … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Sacred Music, Sacrosanctum Consilium, The Mass | Tagged , , , , | 18 Comments

Is the Four-Hymn Mass What the Church Really Wants?

Posted on March 25, 2017 by marklangley

Happy Fiftieth Anniversary Musicam Sacram ! What is Musicam Sacram? Published on March 5th, 1967, Musicam Sacram is the official Instruction on Music issued by the Congregation for Divine Worship following the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council. Musicam Sacram is the document … Continue reading →

Posted in Fine Arts, Sacred Music, Sacrosanctum Consilium, The Mass | Tagged , , , , | 24 Comments

The Secret to Beautiful Liturgy: Leave it to the Kids!

Posted on February 11, 2017 by marklangley

O Lord our Lord, how admirable is thy name in the whole earth! For thy magnificence is elevated above the heavens. Out of the mouth of infants and of sucklings thou hast perfected praise… Recently I attended a simple daily Mass … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Sacred Music, Sacrosanctum Consilium, The Mass, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 18 Comments

The Secret to Beautiful Liturgy: Leave it to the Kids!

Posted on March 14, 2016 by marklangley

This morning I attended a simple daily Mass along with 60 students in grades 6-12. Let’s see, that places them somewhere between the ages of 11 and 18. So given that there were only 70 people in the church – … Continue reading →

Posted in beauty, catholic education, Sacred Music, Sacrosanctum Consilium, The Mass | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Sacred Music is not like Frosting on a Cake!

Posted on March 12, 2016 by marklangley

Help! Somebody call Pope Francis! I can’t find the official Latin edition of the principal text for understanding the role of Sacred Music in the Liturgy. You ask, “what is the fundamental text about the role of Sacred Music in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Sacred Music, Sacrosanctum Consilium, The Mass | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Do You Actually Participate at Mass?

Posted on March 5, 2016 by marklangley

As a parish Music Director, like Garrison Keillor’s Guy Noir Private Eye, I find myself trying to find answers to one of life’s most persistent questions: How can I contribute to that “full, conscious and active participation in the ceremonies” that the fathers … Continue reading →

Posted in beauty, Music, Sacred Music, Sacrosanctum Consilium, The Mass | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Catholic Classical Education Is About Life

Posted on January 28, 2014 by marklangley

Catholic classical education, by the way, is primarily ordered to life. The whole point of classical education is life. To spread life. To increase life. To enrich life. To propagate and widen its extension. To deepen it and strengthen it. … Continue reading →

Posted in classical education, Sacred Music, The Mass | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

The Lyceum Schola Cantorum On The March!

Posted on January 26, 2014 by marklangley

The Lyceum just returned from its annual pilgrimage to Washington D.C. to join with more than 500,000 other zealous people braving single digits to peacefully protest the Nation’s continued tolerance of abortion. Tuesday January 21, 4:30 AM students and faculty board … Continue reading →

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