Monday, September 18, 2006

That Ain't Whistlin' Dixie

In the past year, mwbh has reported on the rumored decree of a "universal indult," by which the Holy Father would decree the unlimited use of the 1962 Missale Romanum (the "Tridentine Mass") by anyone who desires it. First it was gonna happen by Easter, then by October, as part of a post-synodal exhortation on the Eucharist. Now the latest word on the street is pushing it toward November, albeit still as part of a larger document explaining Pope Benedict's overall schema for the future of the Roman liturgy.

If you're like most people, you simply assume that in order to restore the sacred to your parish liturgy, the Pope has to do nothing less than use a big stick to whack your bishop/pastor/liturgical-know-it-all-in-residence on the head. As much as the profit margin might be for selling tickets to such an event, it's not that simple. Nor is it necessary. Just ask anyone whose ever been involved with genuine liturgical preparation -- as in choral rehearsals or training for altar service, as opposed to the usual busybody crap -- and is honest with themselves.

In other words, you don't have to wait for the big stick.

Last month's issue of Crisis magazine had a great piece on starting a chant schola, entitled "How to Start Your Own Garage Schola." It was authored by Arlene Oost-Zinner and Jeffrey Tucker, who have been doing some great work down in Ala-Good-Time-Bama with the Saint Cecilia Schola Cantorum. A more detailed outline of establishing a plan of action can be found at their website, entitled "The Blueprint: Sacred Music in Your Parish."

One more reason "I wish I was in Dixie."

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