Vatican II states: “the true purpose of sacred music, ‘…is the glory of God and the sanctification of the faithful’” (MS 4). Everything we do as Catholics should give glory to God and make us holy; sacred music does this in a unique way. Singing lifts our minds and hearts to God enabling us to move beyond ourselves to express our love for God. Singing is an art form that expresses what cannot be expressed by merely saying something. Singing and music can release parts of our hearts that cannot be released otherwise, reaching into emotions and even into the deep recesses of our hearts to praise God. How often do songs, even very secular ones, enter our minds triggered by certain memories or places? We are deeply affected by music and song. Sacred music taps into these places within us to express our deepest desires for communion with God.

What is sacred music? Vatican II continues: “The following come under the title of sacred music here: Gregorian chant, sacred polyphony in its various forms both ancient and modern, sacred music for the organ and other approved instruments, and sacred popular music, be it liturgical or simply religious” (MS 4). Gregorian chant holds primacy in this list. Why? Gregorian chant goes back centuries, getting its name from Pope St. Gregory the Great (8th C.). Gregorian chant finds its roots in the chanting of the psalms which Jews did from the earliest times. It is the most ancient form of signing we have, and is ‘text driven’ as opposed to ‘music driven.’ The sacred text moves the chant forward. In this way the human voice is the most important instrument. This is the ‘golden rule’ of church music: the sacred text, not the music, is preeminent. If music accompanies the text, it must never distract from the text, but enhance it.

St. Mary’s Liturgical Music

Our Mass comes from Christ Jesus himself, and so the traditions surrounding the Mass go back centuries. While there is nothing wrong with contemporary Christian music, there are certain forms of music that root us more firmly in the tradition and in the mind and heart of the Church. At St. Mary’s we normally have a mix of chant and Christian hymns, both traditional and more modern. We have an emphasis on the regular use of chant not only because the Church recommends it, but because it so conducive to contemplation. Every Catholic monastery in good standing uses chant because of its noble simplicity aiding the contemplation of the sacred scriptures. Its slow simple melodies help the heart and mind to slow down. Today more than ever we are in need of silent contemplation. We seem perpetually connected to electronic devices, even when we exercise or sleep! Chant brings us into that contemplative mode, quieting our minds and disposing them to receive the Word of God and to apprehend the liturgical actions.

Instruments for Sacred Music

Vatican II continues: “The pipe organ is to be held in high esteem in the Latin Church, since it is its traditional instrument, the sound of which can add a wonderful splendor to the Church’s ceremonies” (MS 62). While other instruments may also be admitted into divine worship the organ clearly has pride of place. It is the most prominent instrument in our tradition. Rarely do we use the organ in any other setting. Therefore the unique organ sound should place us immediately in the presence of God. For these reasons St. Mary’s uses the organ as the main instrument for Sunday Mass.

Use of Latin

Vatican II states: “Pastors should take care that besides the vernacular [local language] ‘the faithful may also be able to say or sing together in Latin those parts of the Mass which pertain to them” (SC 47). Pope Benedict XVI has also emphasized this point. Latin is the official language of the Roman Catholic Church. Knowing the Mass parts in Latin unite our voices to millions of Catholics throughout the world. When I have traveled overseas for World Youth Days the Latin Mass parts find the greatest participation. Most young Catholics around the world know the Latin Mass parts. Moreover, Latin roots us in our tradition. The Mass doesn’t come to us from Vatican II. It comes to us from Christ Jesus himself and has been handed down through the centuries to us in a living tradition. Latin gives us a sense of the tradition,