Refreshing Change: Spoken Mass

Attended Mass today at the local parish.

For whatever reason, the usual guitar-and-bass-viol bunch was not present; so Father celebrant, filled with Common Sense, decided that reciting the Introit (yeah, there IS one), and not even attempting to lead a single solitary hymn or sung response would be the most prudent course. He also recited the communion versicle.

He was right, of course. Everyone in the nave responded where they were supposed to, and none seemed to be excluded by lack of singing.

Imagine that! Everyone "participated" without singing. In fact, I'd be willing to bet decent cash that there were MORE participants; no one could be embarassed by their 'lack of singing voice,' or unwillingness to attempt singing along with the leaders.

Prior to the beginning of Mass, a CD of a Gregorian Mass (perhaps Mass II or V) was piped into the church. Although it's not kosher to utilize pre-recorded music in a church, a well-chanted Latin Gregorian ordinary is certainly a good choice...