The Counter Reformation and Catholic Mass

Rising nationalism, the Western Schism, and even new philosophies arising from the renaissance were contributing factors. But on October 31, 1517 every event prior seemed less significant. On this date, Martin Luther nailed a paper listing ninety-five theses, all magnifying problems within the Catholic Church. This was the birth of the protestant reformation, a major blow to the Catholic Church and her followers. This drove the church to make many in-house adjustments, from religious orders to political influences of the church, reworking the framework of the traditional Mass itself and even restructuring many in house positions. This list of corrections made and actions taken in response to the Protestant Reformation is commonly referred to as the Counter Reformation.

To begin the long, arduous process of repairing the church, multiple new orders were formed. Many of these new religious orders kept power hungry officials and preachers from abusing their influences. Orders such as the Ursulines, Theatines, and Jesuits worked in rural locations and showed examples of Catholic renewal.

The Theatines order was established to help stop the spread of heresy within the church. This order also helped with the regeneration of the clergy. The order of Ursulines specialized in educating young girls. Devoting to the traditional works of mercy, the Ursulines order helped exemplify the Counter Reformation’s reaffirmation of the importance of faith, works, and salvation through God's grace. This made the church much more effective, all while reaffirming the fundamental establishments of the Medieval Church.

The most effective of these new orders was the Jesuit. Credit for a majority of the growth in the Catholic Church during the Counter Re...

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... composition made it impossible to comprehend the sacred texts. People asked for monophonic hymns, such as Gregorian chants, for mass. Coming to a head, the council decided church music should not be made “to give empty pleasure to the ear,” but the hymns should inspire religious contemplation instead. (Kamien, 2011) The Council of Trent did not outright ban polyphonic mass, even though the public wanted monophonic hymns for masses, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, one of the most prominent Italian Renaissance composer’s, most famous mass, Pope Marcellus, was polyphonic.

Works Cited

1. Viladesau, Richard. "Counter-Reformation Theology And Art: The Example Of Rubens's Paintings Of The Passion*." Toronto Journal Of Theology 28.1 (2012): 29-42. Academic Search Complete. Web. 9 Apr. 2014.

2. Kamien, Roger. Music An Appreciation. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2011. Print.