Hello! I found this site through a Google search (your site is near the top), a search I was doing because I am trying to get Protestant songs out of my parish Masses.

I have so much to say, but I will limit this message to two things: I am copying below a letter that I sent to virtually all of the music departments of our Catholic colleges -- it is self-explanatory; and, pursuant to that, I am trying to find support in the Catholic community at large for this effort.

It is difficult to believe that the rector of the seminary in my area does not know of the abuse that exists at almost every Mass and he refuses to become involved.

If you know of persons or organizations that support the return of Catholic music to our liturgies and who want to do something about it, financially or in kind, I would love it if you would give me their names or inform them yourself of this important challenge.

I look forward to hearing from you as to your appraisal of my idea.

Thank you. Mary Anne Little

We are putting together a new challenge to the young men in our Catholic seminaries to compose liturgical music. We realize that many, if not most, of our seminarians have little critical knowledge of music composition; but with the assistance of faculty and students in Catholic colleges and universities, they will be superbly able to meet this challenge.

I am copying below the letter we propose to send to seminaries throughout the country in this regard. I am seeking your input (and that of your faculty), both as to the idea itself and as to the letter. Please include your reactions, both positive and negative, your feeling about the feasibility, and your ability to assist the seminary that is nearest to you. Of course, such assistance may be done online as well as in person.

Thank you for your assistance and I look forward to your response.

Mary Anne Little


As you probably are aware, there is a trend in parishes and dioceses in the United States to use the music written by Protestants and Evangelicals in our weekend liturgies. Our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI has urged that we discontinue this trend and return to our Catholic musical roots. The time has come for us to encourage our own Catholic artists to compose music written specifically for the liturgy.

With that in mind, we are originating an annual challenge to each Catholic seminary to seek out musical talent among its current seminarians for the specific purpose of enlarging the library of Catholic liturgical music. You will be notified of the website where the names of those who will be participating in this challenge will be posted. We ask that you seek the voluntary assistance of Catholic musicians in your area to help in the arrangements of the hymns and entire Masses. These persons will be given national credit for their invaluable participation in this challenge. At the end of the academic year, the Church will see the blessings of your work in a published collection of the best selections, to be judged by leading music directors from across the land and made available for sale to all who are interested.

In this way, parish and diocesan music directors will have no legitimate reason to turn to selections by Luther or Wesley or the more contemporary musicians who produce music for mass audiences of Praise and Worship radio and concerts. An added benefit of this challenge will be cooperation between seminary and local talent that will bring about new friendships and new alliances; and national publicity will put the spotlight on the need for Catholic music, the depth of talent in our seminaries, and the commitment of Catholic seminaries in the United States to follow the desires of our Holy Father and to return to our spiritual tradition.

Let this be the beginning of a Catholic music renaissance! Generations and centuries from this date, Catholics will recognize the year 2007 as the dawn of a new era in liturgical hymnody in the United States of America.

The Sacred Music Challenge Group

Hey, I found your blog when looking for blogs for Gregorian Chant. I bought three sheets of chant music at an antique fair this past weekend, and I'm trying to decipher them. Could you take a look at my blog (where I've posted them) and help me out, if you can?

Jeff,

I will take a look, though I'm not an expert in these things... you might try posting your question on The New Liturgical Movement website, they would love to see your find.

http://thenewliturgicalmovement.blogspot.com