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Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

Music Rules Over Us

Dr. Peter Kwasniewski · July 3, 2014

COLLEAGUE OF MINE shared with me a text he found in a fairly obscure medieval treatise. He was very excited about its content and knew that I would be as well:

MUSIC RULES OVER US, given that we are held together through it. When nature catches in voices what she feels innate within her, she is moved with a deep, wondrous affection, since like rejoices in like. Music endows voices, removes anger, suggests and persuades to clemency. And every age, every sex, and the nature of almost all souls is moved by the judgment of music. And what about thrushes, swans, nightingales, and other sweet songed souls impelled by music to utter their loquacious comfort? Just as they breathe without labor, so too do they sing. This is a sign that music is innate in souls, since those things which have no free will with which to deliberate, produce (led by nature alone) harmonious voices, and celebrate with those singing with them. Through the comfort of music the Theban Isemenia used to heal the maladies of the Thebans. And so too did David with the royal madness [of King Saul]. And we even read that Empedocles with a swaying mode calmed the youth who was rushing at his host, since he had accused his father. The Pythagoreans, also by song, caused a light and pleasant sleep to waft over themselves; just as by other modes they used to shake off the stupor of sleep once they awoke. What shall we say about how such a diversity of souls are pleased by a variety of modes?

The author is Bernard Silvestris; the work, a commentary on Martianus Capella.

When asked the question “What is the best guardian?,” Socrates says: “Argument mixed with music. It alone, when it is present, dwells within the one possessing it as a savior of virtue throughout life” (549b). Argument mixed with music: this sounds to me like a description of Gregorian chant, which artfully combines the Word of God, the , the music of the angels. It can dwell within our souls as a savior of the theological virtues, expressing faith, spurring on hope, fueling charity.

We internalize the music we sing and listen to―it becomes a part of us, it shapes us in its image. You are what you listen to and look at, more than you are what you eat. As Pope Benedict once said, air is to biological life what the Holy Spirit is to spiritual life. What we take into our souls is the food and drink of our souls, and we will be healthy or unhealthy depending on the quality of that food and drink. If our music is that of the Holy Spirit, we will be eating and drinking the spirit of truth, the love of the Father and the Son. If our music is that of the world or the prince of this world, we will be eating and drinking the spirit of worldliness. We cannot be too careful about this dietary discernment.

What is the depth and breadth of the music you listen to? How deep into the reality of God and your immortal soul does it delve? How well does it encompass and echo the grandeur of the world around us?

Please visit THIS PAGE to learn more about Dr. Kwasniewski’s Sacred Choral Works and the audio CDs that contain recordings of the pieces.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Dr. Peter Kwasniewski

A graduate of Thomas Aquinas College (B.A. in Liberal Arts) and The Catholic University of America (M.A. and Ph.D. in Philosophy), Dr. Peter Kwasniewski is currently Professor at Wyoming Catholic College. He is also a published and performed composer, especially of sacred music.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Why A “Fugue” Here?
    I believe I know why this plainsong harmonizer created a tiny fugue as the INTRODUCTION to his accompaniment. Take a look (PDF) and tell me your thoughts about what he did on the feast of the Flight of Our Lord Jesus Christ into Egypt (17 February). And now I must go because “tempus fugit” as they say!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Reminder” — Month of October (2025)
    Those who don’t sign up for our free EMAIL NEWSLETTER miss important notifications. Last week, for example, I sent a message about this job opening for a music director paying $65,000 per year plus benefits (plus weddings & funerals). Notice the job description says: “our vision for sacred music is to move from singing at Mass to truly singing the Mass wherein … especially the propers, ordinaries, and dialogues are given their proper place.” Signing up couldn’t be easier: simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
    The American Catholic Hymnal, with IMPRIMATUR granted (25 April 1991) by the Archdiocese of Chicago, is like a compendium of every horrible idea from the 1980s. Imagine being forced to stand all through Communion (even afterwards) when those self-same ‘enlightened’ liturgists moved the SEQUENCE before the Alleluia to make sure congregations wouldn’t have to stand during it. (Even worse, everything about the SEQUENCE—including its name—means it should follow the Alleluia.) And imagine endlessly repeating “Alleluia” during Holy Communion at every single Mass. It was all part of an effort to convince people that Holy Communion was historically a procession (which it wasn’t).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Fifty years ago, Dr. Theodore Marier made available this clever arrangement (PDF) of “Come down, O love divine” by P. R. Dietterich. The melody was composed in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (d. 1958) and named in honor of of his birthplace: DOWN AMPNEY. The arrangement isn’t a strict canon, but it does remind one of a canon since the pipe organ employs “points of imitation.” The melody and text are #709 in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Did they simplify these hymn harmonies?
    Choirs love to sing the famous & splendid tune called “INNSBRUCK.” Looking through a (Roman Catholic) German hymnal printed in 1952, I discovered what appears to be a simplified version of that hymn. In other words, their harmonization is much less complex than the version found in the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal (which is suitable for singing by SATB choir). Please download their 1952 harmonization (PDF) and let me know your thoughts. I really like the groovy Germanic INTRODUCTION they added.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“Indeed, we may not hope for real Latin poetry any more, because Latin is now a dead language to all of us. However well a man may read, write, or even speak Latin now, it is always a foreign language to him, acquired artificially. It is no one’s mother tongue. Does a man ever write real poetry in an acquired language?”

— Rev’d Adrian Fortescue (d. 1923)

Recent Posts

  • Why A “Fugue” Here?
  • “Three Reasons To Shun Bad Hymns” • Daniel B. Marshall
  • “Puzzling Comment” • By A Respected FSSP Priest
  • New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
  • “Reminder” — Month of October (2025)

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