Calling All Liturgical Law Experts
There is an interesting conversation going on over at the New Liturgical Movement, which began as a discussion about Music in Catholic Worship and is now focused on the choral Sanctus as it relates to the present liturgical laws. Some are claiming that I'm reading the law too strictly in supporting the choral Sanctus, but I wonder if that kind of wiggle room in Roman civil law really applies to church law.
1 Comments:
To me, the choral Sanctus is a red herring. It's always used to beat up choirs. It seems obvious to me that a habitual use of a choir-only version of the Sanctus would be an abuse. Does that mean it couldn't be used on major feasts in parishes where they're accustomed to such things? No. But what's really telling is folks that wouldn't tolerate a choir-only rendering of the Introit, which is a legitimate option. Likewise, having the choir sing alone during Communion is a legitimate option. This sends some ill-mannered folks into a frenzy. There are options for the choir alone in a Novus Ordo Mass that aren't typically employed in your cantor-with-keyboard parishes. These options could include singing parts of the Ordinary and Proper so long as there's a give and take in the congregation's participation so that the choir isn't singing everything (or even too much).
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