Pope Benedict XVI's Mass today at the National Stadium in Washington DC was criticized by Father Neuhaus today on EWTN as being very multicultural and perhaps not to the liking of the Pope himself, who has expressed himself frequently as favoring the traditional music of the Catholic Church. Of course the Pope showed no sign of not liking the music. One wouldn't expect that he ever would show any sign of displeasure at something so carefully prepared and presented by so many American musicians. One can say that the occasion was extraordinary in that it brought together thousands of American Catholics in one place for a Mass that surely must have posed many logistical and diplomatic stumbling blocks for the masters of ceremony and protocol who planned it. In my opinion it was very well done indeed, and there was something for everyone.

From a musicological standpoint, there was perhaps more Latin than we would normally find in any Catholic Mass in the United States, but the Latin formed the foundation of the musical texts at many points with other languages interspersed. Gregorian Chant found its expression as the musical basis for many of the musical themes presented as new compositions. The introduction of Latin American and Native American instruments and rhythms during the Communion was entirely appropriate, and, if I were to complain about anything, it would be the fact that Placido Domingo unavoidably upstaged the Pope himself with his rendition of Panis Angelicus. Of course, I am just kidding. It was operatic, but thoroughly appropriate for the occasion, after all, the Pope is the Bishop of Rome, Italy.

The music intended for the congregation to sing was eminently singable. There were none of the sentimental faux-folk tunes that still blight the air in many Catholic parishes. The Sanctus was perhaps the most familiar setting of all, and the people sang it with gusto. At the end, I was greatly gratified with the hymn, "Alleluia, Sing to Jesus" which sounded to me like it was right out of the 1940 Episcopal Hymnal with its wonderfully moving bass line. The people clearly knew this hymn and sang it enthusiastically even though it could be easily dubbed a Protestant hymn.

The Mass was a votive Mass for the Holy Spirit, and the Collect of the Mass made me sit up straight when I heard Pope Benedict read it, for it was none other than the Collect for Purity. Of course Cranmer took this beautiful Latin prayer and made it an invariable introductory prayer to the Communion Service. So here we had a Mass which began with the Collect for Purity and ended with "Alleluia, Sing to Jesus". I doubt if it was an intentional bow to the Anglicans and Anglican converts like myself, but it was certainly appreciated.

So, if Father Neuhaus thinks the Pope didn't like the music, my guess is that the music may not have been exactly what the Pope was expecting, but that he could not fail to have approved of it.

C. David Burt