"The democratic and pedestrian character of the new Mass itself seems to invite the ditties that pass for hymns these days"

In this quote, Richard Morris uses a vital point of view on the modern state of liturgical music within the context of the Catholic Mass. The phrase "democratic and pedestrian character of the brand-new Mass" mentions the reforms that came about as an outcome of the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s, which sought to make the liturgy more available to the laity. The use of the word "democratic" suggests a relocation towards inclusivity and involvement from the congregation, instead of a top-down, clerical-centric method. "Pedestrian" suggests that these modifications might have led to a simplification or a perceived absence of sophistication in the rituals and possibly the music related to the Mass.

"Inviting the ditties that pass for hymns these days" further conveys a sense of displeasure. Morris seems to be regreting the decrease in the quality and depth of hymns used in the liturgy, describing them as "ditties," a term that frequently describes simple, catchy, but eventually superficial tunes. The word "pass" indicates that these songs are barely appropriate, merely managing as hymns rather than enhancing the spiritual experience.

Taken together, Morris' quote recommends a tension between tradition and modernity, a typical style in conversations about liturgical reform. His perspective might show a wider concern that the drive to engage more individuals in the Mass could cause a dilution of its aesthetic and spiritual richness. This tension continues to resonate in contemporary disputes over church music, as communities aim to balance the requirement for significance and accessibility with the desire to maintain a sense of reverence and connection with the past. Morris' review is emblematic of a traditionalist view that values the solemnity and historic depth of the liturgical experience, fearing that these qualities may be lost in efforts to update and equalize the Mass
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