Messy Buns & Latin Chant

As November 2nd approaches, I have been preparing for my favorite liturgy of the year: the Solemn Requiem for All Souls. A big part of why I love it so much is because I get to sing what I will argue is the most powerful piece of liturgical music ever written, the Dies Irae . In addition to sounding positively heart-stopping , the lyrics are so solemn and convicting . Take this excerpt for example: Then shall with universal dread/ the Book of Consciences be read/ to judge the lives of all the dead. For now before the Judge severe/ all hidden things must plain appear/ no crime can pass unpunished here. O King of dreadful majesty!/ grace and mercy You grant free;/ as Fount of Kindness, save me! It fills you with such a sense of dread and awe! You can't help but leave that Mass with an acute awareness of your own mortality and need for conversion and mercy. Contrast that with the sentiment at most modern funerals. Its not unusual to leave feeling more like you attended ...

One of my major guilty pleasures is my disdain for mediocre church music. I had the great satisfaction of making a black list for our parish last week and came across some positively awful pieces that are too delicious to keep to myself, and some that I have had on my black list for years. Here are the best (or worst) ones: Th e King of Glory After Stephen Colbert's rendition, I can't imagine anyone taking this seriously anymore. I challenge anyone under 40 not to think of  Stephen Colbert's rendition  when they hear it.  Not being all that great to begin with, I think it is safe to say that the song is ruined forever by his performance.  Walk in the Reign I confess, I have never heard this song. The title alone is enough to earn my scorn. Offertory doesn't seem to be the time for cheesy puns. On Eagle's Wings It’s the yoo-hoo song! I actually don't mind the sound of this. But after playing it at almost every funeral (just today actually)...