Before heading off to Florida to do nothing there, I attended the morning service for the Fifth Sunday of Lent at the Basilica of St Mary, in Minneapolis.
A full and beautiful liturgy - and the place was full. A variety of people in attendance: young and old (with lots of children), what appeared to be people of varying racial backgrounds, gay and straight, very prim and proper types alongside of not-so-prim and proper types - all together as one. Loved it.
Gregorian chant started the service which immediately put me into a mystical zone. The choir was quite fine, and sang a number of things. The ordinary of the liturgy was composed by a composer in residence, and was OK. We only sang one hymn, however, and sang loads of REFRAINS - and each time led by a heavily mic'd singer. I really detest this practice - it actually squashes our song instead of doing what it is supposed to do, which is encourage the song. We (and the people around me) are capable of singing more than refrains intellectually and musically. It's time to move beyond these training wheels the Roman Catholic church instituted after Vatican II. Folks are brighter than this.
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Experiences in churches and concerts during my 2008 sabbatical
