Liturgical music as a vocation

From DICI:

Benedict XVI recalls the vocation of liturgical music

Excerpt:

Then the Supreme Pontiff recalls the purpose of sacred music, which is the glory of God and the sanctification of the faithful:  “The fundamental criteria are respect for tradition, a sense of prayer, dignity, and beauty; full adherence to liturgical texts and expressions; the correct participation of the assembly and, therefore, a legitimate adaptation to particular cultures, at the same time maintaining the universality of language; the primacy of Gregorian chant … and the careful assessment of other expressive forms that make up the cultural patrimony of the Church, especially but not just polyphony; and the importance of the schola cantorum, particularly in cathedral churches.”

These are important criteria, the pope continues, “which should be considered attentively even today”.  Gregorian chant, the supreme model of sacred music, polyphony and the schola cantorum have wrongly been considered “as the expression of a concept befitting a past that should be forgotten and ignored, because they limited the freedom and creativity of individuals and communities.”  But the authentic subject of the liturgy is neither the individual nor the group, Benedict XVI recalled.  “It is primarily God’s action through the Church with its history, its rich tradition, and its creativity.”

“On the basis of these sure and lasting elements,” he concludes, “which are accompanied by centuries of experience, I encourage you to perform your service of professionally training students, so that they may acquire a serious, profound competence in the different disciplines of sacred music.”

HT: Kathy

Kathy Makes The Big Time

Here's a picture of Kathy from the colloquium in Pittsburgh, courtesy of Chant Cafe.  This is from "Semiology Class."  I must be a Nevadan, because I thought it said "Seismology Class."

(They misspelled Kathy's name, but oh well.)

Pope Benedict Again Backs Sacred Music

Ever notice how many supporters of what passes for church music today have a problem with the term "continuity"?

Benedict XVI Underlines Continuity Of Sacred Music

VATICAN CITY, MAY 31, 2011 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI is underlining the continuity of sacred music that stretches back to the "authentic and glorious tradition" begun by St. Gregory the Great.

In a letter address to Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski, grand chancellor of the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music, the Pope called the centenary of its foundation an "important event," and a "reason for joy for all the cultivators of sacred music."

Placing the foundation of the institute in context, the Pontiff recalled that Pius X founded the institute in 1911, eight years after publishing an instruction on sacred music issued "motu proprio," titled "Tra le Sollcitudini" (Among the Cares).

Source: Zenit, HT: Kathy

Ave Atque Vale

So endeth one of Regina Pacis Cantorum's busiest years in recent memory.  We owe a lot of thanks to Fr. Francisco at the Cathedral for letting us sing there so often, and being so open to the timeless beauty of chant.  Of course, it was also an honor to sing at the Eucharistic and Marian Conference, and at St. Peter Canisius, Holy Spirit Mission, and St. Rose of Lima.  And lest we forget to offer a big thank you to Fr. Larry Morrison for letting us rehearse at St. Rose!

We also have to thank our director Kathy, who puts so much of her heart and soul into this choir.  She will be heading to the annual colloquium in Pittsburgh starting June 13: pray for her and all the participants.

And of course, thanks to all the singers who made this happen, and to our supporters!  See you in the fall.