"The 'Guitar Mass,' 'Contemporary Mass,' 'Folk Mass' — whatever one wants to call it — is not exclusively the child of Vatican II. Such an assumption is a disservice to history. The Folk Mass story begins neither with folk music, nor guitars, nor even with the Council. The Folk Mass had its origins in the Church's official music: Gregorian chant. . ."
— from Keep the Fire Burning: The Folk Mass Revolution by Ken Canedo
KEN CANEDO is a liturgical composer whose songs are sung in Catholic churches around the world. Long involved with spiritandsong.com, a contemporary Catholic music website, he is the voice behind the popular weekly Liturgy Podcast and also a Spirit Spot blogger. His most recent CD is Doxology, a collection of contemporary and traditional music to honor the Most Holy Trinity. He currently serves as a youth minister and pastoral musician for parishes in Portland, Oregon.
Ken writes frequently for Today’s Liturgy magazine. His first book, Keep the Fire Burning, was just released by Pastoral Press.
“And so the Mass began, as the chapel began to rock with a sound previously unheard in the Roman liturgy. As the priest processed to the altar, every one of those 400 Extension volunteers sang 'Here We Are' at the top of their lungs. They continued at the offertory with 'Of My Hands,' followed by [Ray] Repp's haunting 'Hear, O Lord' at Communion. By the time they sang 'Forevermore' at the conclusion of Mass, there was a palpable sense of breakthrough."