Happened to be at a local church celebration of the EF Mass last night, and of course, Gregorian Chant was used.
Here's Thomas Merton on the Chant:
“But the cold stones of the Abbey church ring with a chant that glows
with living flame, with a clean, profound desire. It is an austere
warmth, the warmth of Gregorian chant. It is deep beyond ordinary
emotion, and that is one reason why you never get tired of it. It never
wears you out by making a lot of cheap demands on your sensibilities.
Instead of drawing you out into the open field of feelings where your
enemies, the devil and your own imagination and the inherent vulgarity
of your own corrupted nature can get at you with their blades and cut
you to pieces, it draws you within, where you are lulled in peace and
recollection and where you find God.” Thomas Merton, The Seven Storey Mountain, Part 3, ch. 4, page 379
Yup. And if you want to know Chant as it should be, then venture to the Cistercian monastery at U of Dallas and find the choir run by Fr. Ralph March. Or--if you can find it--catch Paul Salamunovich's "Christmas" album, which has a nice chunk of Chant within.
HT: Chant Cafe
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2 comments:
I've always found Chant strangely compelling. When I ran over the road, I used to listen to a cd of it that a buddy sent me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbbLv5vrOzo
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