Robust Catholic Identity

In today's column by John L. Allen Jr., in the National Catholic Reporter, we read of the Holy Father's recent trip to Switzerland, at which the organizers of the Papal Mass were trying desperately to appear relevant to a society that is largely hostile to the message from Rome. It is interesting that the usually mild John Allen has this to say about their efforts:

The pop tunes at Mass and MTV-style presentations at the Saturday rally sometimes had an almost desperate feel, as if the Swiss were trying a little too hard to be relevant. Can a robust Catholic identity really be forged by mimicking the modes of expression of the larger culture? Or would the church do better to foster its own distinctive speech, prayer and devotions?

I wish those liturgists, who program music for our run-of-the-mill North American Masses each Sunday, would take a cue from a moderate's view of the Modern Mass Writ Large, as seen in the most recent Papal Mass.

I don't believe it's even a question of saying I'm criticizing the Pope by criticizing the organization of his Mass. I have a CD of a 1985 recording of a Papal Mass in St. Peter's Basilica - with Gregorian chant for the Propers and Mozart's Coronation Mass for the Commons. It's amazing how the recent Mass is totally unrecognizable compared to when he is on home turf. I'm sure the Papal entourage is not going to demand what should be obvious, so they are content with the best that the host country has to offer. Prudentially, I don't agree with that tack, but that seems to be the current policy.