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“A much greater source of anxiety to Us is the style of action of those who maintain that liturgical worship should shed its sacred character, who foolishly say we should substitute for sacred items & furnishings ordinary common things in daily use.” —Pope Saint Paul VI (14 Oct 1968)

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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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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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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    This coming Sunday—13 July 2025—is the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). All the chants have been conveniently assembled and posted at the feasts website. The OFFERTORY, Ad Te Levávi, is particularly beautiful.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Music Director Job • $80,000 per year
    Our readers will be interested in this job offering for Music Director at Saint Adalbert’s Basilica, located 40 minutes from where I live. My pastor was recently elevated to this basilica. He is offering $80,000 per year, plus benefits. I’m told Saint Adalbert’s Basilica is utterly gorgeous and contains one of America’s most magnificent pipe organs. It would be fantastic to have a colleague nearby!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Simplest “Agnus Dei” Ever Published
    Our choir is on break during the month of July. I needed a relatively simple “Agnus Dei,” so I composed this setting for organ & voice in honor of Saint René Goupil. It has been called the simplest setting ever composed. I love CARMEN GREGORIANUM (“Gregorian Chant”), especially the ALLELUIAS, INTROITS, and COMMUNION ANTIPHONS. That being said, some have pointed out that certain sections of the Kyriale aren’t as strong as the Graduale or Vesperale. There’s a reason for this—but it would be too complicated to explain at this moment.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Pope Pius XII Hymnal?
    Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Hybrid” Chant Notation?
    Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Antiphons Don’t Match?
    A reader wants to know why the Entrance and Communion antiphons in certain publications deviate from what’s prescribed by the GRADUALE ROMANUM published after Vatican II. Click here to read our answer. The short answer is: the Adalbert Propers were never intended to be sung. They were intended for private Masses only (or Masses without music). The “Graduale Parvum,” published by the John Henry Newman Institute of Liturgical Music in 2023, mostly uses the Adalbert Propers—but sometimes uses the GRADUALE text: e.g. Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (29 June).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

Why do we never sing “De Spiritu Sancto” (St. Athenogenes) in our churches? There are a dozen translations in English verse. Where could anyone find a better evening hymn than this, coming right down from the catacombs? Our hymnbooks know nothing of such a treasure as this, and give us pages of poor sentiment in doggerel lines by some tenth-rate modern versifier.

— Rev’d Adrian Fortescue (d. 1923)

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