In the last installment, we heard of a teenage parishioner who had this insight about chant (presumably unaccompanied, un-harmonized, unmetered melody following the natural inflection and rhythm of text): “It isn’t supposed to move you; it’s supposed to make you still.” Indeed, discipline and integration—and not simply stimulation—of the senses are critical in the formation of our “interior senses” to perceive the supernatural, to be present to the Presence of the Triune God. That’s not to say, of course, that “stillness and serenity of soul” cannot be induced by other musical expressions, or that contemplation is the only purpose or modality of liturgy, but cantillation or chanting is the principal “modality” of liturgical prayer that has been handed down to us by our ancestors in the faith.
The purpose of liturgical music relates to all aspects of the nature of liturgy:
Glorifying God and sanctifying the faithful
Fostering festivity in liturgical celebration
Enhancing the Proclamation of the Word
Strengthening bonds of community
Promoting participation
Fostering cultural and artistic goods
To these ends, our parish music ministry has articulated a clear statement of mission, vision, and governing values in keeping with the whole liturgical economy and tradition, and the deposit of faith and authentic teaching of the Church, as well as the pastoral guidelines of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship.
Mission The mission of our parish music ministry is to cultivate through the musical arts an ever-deepening participation by all members of our parish community in the Church's worship, discipleship and cultural outreach.
Vision Beautiful, compelling and inviting liturgical celebration served by music that is artful, honest and accessible.
Music ministry programs focused on the formation of the baptized in the "art of celebrating," the awakening of the Catholic imagination, and the transmission of faith from one generation to another.
Creating and sharing sacred musical art worthy of our best offering of praise, true to the faith handed down to us and credible to those outside our communion.
Values Excellence ♦ Authenticity ♦ Hospitality
It is wonderful that so many people have strong feelings about music in worship. Music is obviously central to our experience of liturgy, but it is also integral to the liturgy itself. Please share this information with others who express their thoughts, feelings, and opinions with you. The Second Vatican Council taught us that the musical tradition of the Church is a treasure of “inestimable value,” and that Christ is always present in the Church, including when the assembly of the baptized prays and sings. It is important to explore together and celebrate our musical patrimony, and to learn to hear the presence of Christ in the choral assembly of his Body. It is therefore important to “elevate” our conversation above the fray and divisiveness of personal taste.
We all know what we like…but we also like what we know, and someone other than ourselves decided (and decides) what we know (parents, teachers, music industry moguls, DJ’s, publishers, performing artists, music directors). Holy Mother Church has a song to teach us as well, and the first step in learning it is the docility and humility to listen to what we are not accustomed to hearing, to receive gifts that we don’t even know we needed, to find our voice in the choral assembly, and to lose our voice in a worshipful act of self-sacrifice.