The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1914-03-28

procession OF faith In the Credo. It
transports the congregation before the
very throne Of God and joins the an
gels in heaven when they sing: Sane
tus. Sanctus, Sanctus, Dominus Deus
Sabaoth, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord
the God of Hosts!" and again in the
Agnus Del 1t beseeches the Lamb of
God who taketh away the sins Of the
world" to have mercy on us and to
grant us peace, which is Christ's own
choicest blessing. The part which the
choir takes in the divine worship here
upon earth is indeed, as it were, a
practice for the great concert which is
to crown the Creation of God.
Singing for the Honor and Glory Of
This is the reason why in Catholic
churches the members of choir cheer
fully give their services free of charge.
They sing solely for the honor and
glory of God and would not allow
themselves to be defrauded of their
heavenly reward by accepting paltry
pay, whether the pay be extended in
shining silver or in the sounding brass
of newspaper puffs.
Nor, indeed, do they want to act
like the street parade of circus, as a
drawing card for extraordinary solem-
mites. The Catholic church has her
regular succession of Feasts and Fes-
rivals which need no advertising, and
her special devotions are in them.
selves sufficient to attract the people
that appreciate them.
For fellows that know of no cheap
er place to entertain their girls of
Sunday evening, or for pleasure-seek-
ers in general, the Catholic church
makes no provision, and If even an
accidental choir should aim to launch
out in that direction, their efforts, at
the best, could never hold their own
against the attractions of theater or
a public dance. No church choir, no
more than the proverbial Frenchman,
can afford to try to sit between two
chairs, if it does not want to come to
grief In one way or another
1t is unfortunate that sometimes the
members of certain choirs forget the
notable part which they are perform
Ing. Therefore a few additional re-
marks may be in place.
There should be- no talking in the
choir beyond what is strictly neces-
sary, and even this should be carried
on In low voice and with the fewest
possible words. The musicians need
to be particularly watchful over them
selves on this point, because having
occasion at times to give or receive d.
rections, they may easily fall into the
habit Of talking, sometimes even of
holding regular conversations during
the sermon. once went up to q
choir after High Mass and apologized
for having preached so loud that l.
might have interfered with their con.
versation.
The members should be on time,
and should have their parts ready be-
forehand, so that they may avoid noise
and confusion during the service.
Petty Disputes In cholrs:
AS to petty disputes and jealousies,
which belong to the weakness. of poor
human nature-musical human nature
not excepted-let them not be ventilat.
ed inside the house of God, for that
would be a PROCLAMATION Of the sacred
rite in which one is engaged.
You should provide yourself with a
good prayer book, not necessarily very
large, but complete. A good prayer
book is wise teacher, faithful mont
tor, an experienced guide in the path,
OF virtue, powerful support to the
soul in this heaven-ward journey. The
earnest Catholic always hold his pray
or book In honor, since it does him in
estimable service. Therefore he keeps
1t clean, whole, we'll cared for, and
1t should be the best bound and
richest of all his books. q"
The prayer book might very we'll
also be carried as our standard; not
In the pocket, as it is. done, but OPEN
ly in our hand or undereour left arm;
it should not for convenience sake
be left in the church. Why should
we, like towards, try to hide the fact
that we are Catholics and are going
to church?
We are not to exchange greetings
In the church.
We should be more prompt and
careful In preparing to go to church
than for any other assembly. Be ON
time, and do not loiter around the
door of the church until service has
begun. Let me repeat with emphasis:
Be on time.
Do not leave the church until SER
vices are over. 1t is only in cases
of real and urgent necessity that
anyone should go out sooner.
No Talking or Laughing in Church.
1t Is hardly necessary to say that
the ordinary rules of politeness are
to be observed in the church more