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We used to have quite a bit of Latin used, both when our previous choir sang without congregational singing for those parts and congregational singing during the summer and so on. I can't remember the last time we sang the Sanctus in Latin and we just recently sung the Agnus Dei in I don't know how long. Our new musical director (I think it's been about three years) seems to be dumbing us down. In my opinion, people preparing to be received in the church should at least learn the Sanctus and Agnus Dei. I think the attitude is, "the younger people don't know it", ignoring the instructions of Vatican II.

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Valerie Garcia
vals1990@yahoo.com

"Listen, O my son, to the precepts of thy master, and incline the ear of thy heart, and cheerfully receive and faithfully execute the admonitions of thy loving Father, that by the toil of obedience thou mayest return to Him ....." St. Benedict

Agnus Dei only, during Advent and Lent. I guess the use of Latin is regarded as penitential at my parish.

Kyrie eleison (Greek) is used sparingly as well during Lent.

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Dean
Most people's sense of history goes back to breakfast time - Benjamin Netanyahu

The Agnus Dei, on most Sundays.

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David L (CA)
"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read.” - Groucho Marx

Val,

Usually only the Ordinary and the Proper.

http://www.stmaryscathedral.org.au/pdf/ ... 121209.pdf

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James Daly

"It is the Lord." (Jn 21:7)

The Kyrie is in Greek year-round at the Mass I attend Sundays.

During Lent and Advent, the Misrere, Sanctus, Agnus, and Memorial Acclamation are all in Latin.

Benediction is in Latin monthly.

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Jeff Stevens

Latin (or Greek) is used during Advent and Lent on the above. Some hymns occasionally.

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Bob C

The choir tries to include at least one song or chant in Latin during their "performance" and seasonally, Advent etc., the Agnus Dei and Gloria are in Latin, Kyrie Eleison in Greek. Our pastor, in compliance with the request of our bishop has directed that the use of Latin be increased gradually. No need to go into the use of Latin at my FSSP parish.

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BobA

One of our priests is more inclined to it than the others, so we'll have Agnus Dei and Kyrie maybe 1/4 -1/3 of the time overall.

Sanctus? Once in a blue moon.

Gloria? Can't recall the last time.

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Rob

I think James coming closest to having what we used to have under the old director (and half of the old choir left when he did...he'd been there 60 years and is quite renowned (Paul Salamunovich) if you're interested in looking him up. The Gloria has not been sung in Latin since he left. My biggest disappointment is the Easter Vigil. They now include a little group up front who do the more contemporary Mass in the afternoon on Sundays. Not only is the Gloria not sung in Latin, it's not even sung by the choir but instead the congregation sings the same tired old Gloria we sing on ordinary weekends. The majesty of the Easter Vigil is gone....the beauty in seeing people baptized and received is still there but not the glorious sound of the choir and the current choir is quite good.

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Valerie Garcia
vals1990@yahoo.com

"Listen, O my son, to the precepts of thy master, and incline the ear of thy heart, and cheerfully receive and faithfully execute the admonitions of thy loving Father, that by the toil of obedience thou mayest return to Him ....." St. Benedict

Val,



He sounds a wonderful man. (And a papal knight!)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Salamunovich

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James Daly

"It is the Lord." (Jn 21:7)

James,

The choir had a Christmas concert every year in the social hall so I got to see him conduct first hand and it was just amazing to see him in his late 70's with the energy of a 20 year old and so engaging and full of enthusiasm in introducing each song. Watching him conduct always reminded me of watching an interpreter for the deaf with the combination of signing and a really expressive face. We were so blessed to have him and it's amazing he stayed as long as he did since he had to climb the stairs to the choir loft and now appears somewhat frail and needing a cane at Mass.

I was particularly struck by his generosity when he himself played the organ at my mother's funeral. Other than telling him that she particularly loved Schubert's Ave Maria and liked Marian hymns in general, I was at a loss as to what exactly to tell him and he just very effusively said, "don't worry, I know exactly what you're looking for" and he and the soprano who sang with him were just a glorious combination.

Many of the members of the choir were students of his, one or two even going back to being students at St. Charles where he also directed the school choir. I believe the current director was his student at Loyola and he's a fine man and has done very well considering half the original choir left with Paul but obviously, it's not the same and and of course I knew it never could be but hoped he would at least leave the 10:00 Mass as the more traditional Mass. I guess in comparison to the Mass that has drums (which the director of the current choir also leads) it is but if I have to listen to "Christ be our Light" just one more time, I might puke. Especially since we have to listen to that refrain, over and over and over and over since the song has to last through communion and our church is large.

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Valerie Garcia
vals1990@yahoo.com

"Listen, O my son, to the precepts of thy master, and incline the ear of thy heart, and cheerfully receive and faithfully execute the admonitions of thy loving Father, that by the toil of obedience thou mayest return to Him ....." St. Benedict