In February, a question was raised about the comfort level with Dan Schutte’s “Mass of Christ the Savior” (2010), with concerns that its style leaned towards the secular. The discussion took an unexpected turn when the melody was juxtaposed with a rather familiar tune: the theme song from My Little Pony.
* * Missa “My Little Pony” — Mp3 (0:29)
The original article sparked significant reaction, being shared widely on Facebook and generating considerable debate, even on radio shows. A point of contention arose regarding the similarity between Schutte’s melody and the My Little Pony theme. To address this directly, a former student created a mix that layers both melodies together:
* * Mp3 Audio File — Schutte’s Mass of Christ the Savior mixed w/ Pony Theme
Dan Schutte Mass of Christ the Savior PDF preview
Some might object to combining sacred Mass texts with a secular song like the My Little Pony theme. However, this very juxtaposition highlights a crucial point. For those who have experienced the impact of trivial church music, this issue is far from minor.
The use of secular musical styles during Mass is a matter of serious concern. This blog has previously addressed this topic, advocating for the importance of sacred music traditions like Gregorian Chant. Beyond the question of musical style, the approval of this Mass by the USCCB also raises questions, especially considering its deviations from the official liturgical texts. The process by which such settings gain approval remains unclear.
For those seeking alternatives to the Schutte Mass and its secular undertones, exploring settings composed in a more sacred style is recommended. Resources for these alternatives are readily available.
NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:
1 The priest who recognized the Schutte/Pony resemblance is a Liturgy Director for a major US Archdiocese. This observation was initially shared through an email. Prior to this, the Schutte Mass setting was unfamiliar.
Blog author opinions are not necessarily those of Corpus Christi Watershed.
