Two Issues (Communion Hymns and Month of May)

[Anne]

I really could do with some prayers here because I am being told I have to have hymns to Mary at every mass and it has to be at the offertory collection time because and I quote " the 'female' church presents the offertory gifts to the 'male' preserve of the Sanctuary and altar." This is the time to adore Mary. I know its so wrong in so many ways. I ignored it and we sang "Salve Regina" at the bidding prayers. But I can't do that again because that is wrong apparently! I will do it for May but there is a dreadful shortage of reasonable Marian hymns. Help any suggestions for re training the PP on the "theology" of the mass and Mary's role in the church. And what hymns do you sing

Helen, Would a Magnificat be acceptable at the Offertory? It is the prayer of Mary but also a hymn of praise to God, which seems more theologically acceptable than a hymn to Mary

[musicus]

Regarding the Missal Entrance and Communion antiphons, surely the fact that they are included indictaes they are the preferred text to be sung?...

I'm sure we have discussed this at length before; can anyone point out where?

[Nick Baty]

Why would the church provide a text for recitation at a point where it asks us to sing something appropriate to the liturgical action?

And why does the Church provide a set of texts which match Year A but rarely Year B? The Processional does the job more accurately.

[helen rees]

Has this instruction come from the PP?

Yes it has

Anne apparently "the magnificat is not a Marian hymn" as it doesn't honnour Mary.

[Nick Baty]

That's right - it isn't!

[Peter]

Has this instruction come from the PP?

Yes it has.

That's what I feared, Helen, in which case (sadly) you're probably on a hiding to nothing. Unfortunately,

...Sung texts need not speak of bread and wine, nor of offering. Texts expressing joy, praise, community as well as the spirit of the season, are appropriate...

and your PP could argue that Marian hymns in May match the option I've highlighted, however strongly you or I may feel in our bones they are not appropriate. Have you tried the argument presented earlier in this thread that the feasts that happen this year to be celebrated in May take precedence over other considerations and that the emphasis on these four Sundays should be on (respectively) Resurrection, Ascension, the Holy Spirit and the Holy Trinity? Of course, even if he buys that this year there will be two Ordinary Sundays in May next year for which that argument won't work, but at least it's worth a try. (Can't find an emoticon that says I feel for you and wish you luck!)

[johnquinn39]

Let's just be honest about this.

The only thing they teach in Oscott (and all seminaries) is that: 'There HAS to be a hymn to Our Lady at every Mass - at Communion'.

Please correct me if I am wrong.

[Nick Baty]

Let's turn it the other way round: Give us evidence that you are right!

[johnquinn39]

Is there ANY evidence that I am wrong?

[Nick Baty]

Is there ANY evidence that I am wrong?

Well....

The only thing they teach in Oscott....

will take some proving. I'm sure that can't take six years!

[johnquinn39]

It takes around 6 seconds!

-- It's all they know!

[Nick Baty]

Methinks you have yourself in something of a tizz.
Otherwise, this is slightly insulting to the gentlemen we work with.

[johnquinn39]

Not it isn't.

[Nick Baty]

Well, perhaps we ought to leave it there, John, as bears are lurking. But it's rather disingenuous to suggest that people educated to such a high level know one thing only – whatever that thing might be.

[johnquinn39]

Okay, to qualify this:--

Whatever people know -- this is the only 'teaching' getting thru'.

Correct me if I am wrong.