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Views from the Choir Loft

Pope Francis’ Address on Sacred Music: “Liturgy is the first ‘teacher’ of catechism.”

Richard J. Clark · October 4, 2019

OPE FRANCIS recently addressed the Scholae Cantorum of the Italian Santa Cecilia Association. I urge you to read it in its entirety. There are many gems, and it is not long!

      * *  Pope Francis’ Address to the Scholae Cantorum of the Italian Santa Cecilia Association

Francis notes the historic continuity from Pope Saint Pius X through the present day. Francis makes direct reference to Pius X’s 1903 Motu Proprio on sacred music, Tra le Sollecitudini which was the true catalyst for Vatican II reforms in music. Pius X is specifically named in Section VI on Sacred Music in the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy. (see §112)

As such, he is mindful of Pius X’s call for sacred music in the liturgy to possess three characteristics: beautiful, holiness, and universality. Francis’ address is filled with gems, but this stands out as a guiding light.:

Not just any music, but holy music, because rituals are holy; endowed with the nobility of art, because God must be given the best; universal, so that everyone can understand and celebrate. Above all, clearly distinct and different from that used for other purposes.

Perhaps most important of all is this reminder from Pope Francis:

“[Y]our dedication to the liturgy and its music represents a way of evangelization at all levels, from children to adults. In fact, the liturgy is the first ‘teacher’ of catechism. Do not forget this: the liturgy is the first ‘teacher’ of catechism.”

IKE BENEDICT XVI and John Paul II, Pope Francis reaffirms upholding both our treasury of sacred music alongside new compositions, using Gregorian Chant as the “first model.” But while contemplating the wide tent that is sacred music in the Universal Church, I would ask we consider these important questions (perhaps among others) in light of the liturgy being the “first teacher of catechism.”

1 • Is the theology in our music truly Roman Catholic?

2 • Are we singing scripture or personal thoughts and impressions? (There will be a follow-up article to this question!)

3 • Are we singing the Mass or singing songs at Mass?

4 • Regardless of style, is the music and its presentation reverent and prayerful?

5 • Are we preparing adequately and giving God our best as Pope Francis asks?

INALLY Pope Francis acknowledges the preparation, sacrifice, and hard work of church musicians. It is often a thankless and relentless job! I know I am nothing without my hardworking volunteers (and professionals who don’t get paid nearly enough!) Let us all be thankful for each other, be mindful that we are working towards the same goals: to praise God and uplift our communities in spirit and prayer.

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Pope Francis Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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Richard J. Clark

About Richard J. Clark

Richard J. Clark is the Director of Music of the Archdiocese of Boston and the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.—(Read full biography).

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Quick Thoughts

6 January 2021 • Anglicans on Plainsong

A book published by Anglicans in 1965 has this to say about Abbat Pothier’s Editio Vaticana, the musical edition reproduced by books such as the LIBER USUALIS (Solesmes Abbey): “No performing edition of the music of the Eucharistic Psalmody can afford to ignore the evidence of the current official edition of the Latin Graduale, which is no mere reproduction of a local or partial tradition, but a CENTO resulting from an extended study and comparison of a host of manuscripts gathered from many places. Thus the musical text of the Graduale possesses a measure of authority which cannot lightly be disregarded.” They are absolutely correct.

—Jeff Ostrowski
2 January 2021 • Temptation

When I see idiotic statements made on the internet, I go nuts. When I see heretics promoted by people who should know better, I get angry. Learning to ignore such items is difficult—very difficult. I try to remember the words of Fr. Valentine Young: “Do what God places in front of you each day.” When I am honest, I don’t believe God wants me to dwell on errors and idiocy; there’s nothing I can do about that. During 2021, I will strive to do a better job following the advice of Fr. Valentine.

—Jeff Ostrowski
31 December 2020 • “COMITES CHRISTI”

The feasts for Saint Stephen Proto-Martyr (26 December), Saint John the Evangelist The Disciple Whom Jesus Loved (27 December), and the Feast of the Holy Innocents (28 December) seem untouched by any liturgical reforms. These are very powerful feasts—I believe they once possessed octaves—and I believe they could sometimes “overpower” a Sunday feast. The rules for octaves in the olden days are extremely complex. These feasts are sometimes referred to as a single entity as: Comites Christi (“Companions of Christ”). This is just a guess, but there seems to be a triple significance: STEPHEN martyred after Christ lived, JOHN was a martyr who knew Christ personally, and the HOLY INNOCENTS were martyred before Christ’s birth.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“The Humanists abominated the rhythmical poetry of the Middle Ages from an exaggerated enthusiasm for ancient classical forms and meters. Hymnody then received its death blow as, on the revision of the Breviary under Pope Urban VIII, the medieval rhythmical hymns were forced into more classical forms by means of so-called corrections.”

— ‘Father Clemens Blume, S.J.’

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