Sacred Music Workshop this weekend

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"Sacred chant is intimately bound up with this celebration [of the liturgy], clothing it as with a garment…”  Dom Saulnier, OSB, Gregorian Chant, p.20

This Friday, I will be giving a presentation on sacred music in the Roman Catholic liturgy.  This talk (from 6:30 to 8:00pm, everyone invited) with its accompanying short practice will be the opening event of a Sacred Music Workshop for the parish youth this Saturday (beginning at 9:00am).  

"Of all the sounds of which human beings, created in the image and likeness of God, are capable, voice is the most privileged and fundamental." Sing to the Lord 86

"The Church recognizes Gregorian chant as being specially suited to the Roman Liturgy.  Therefore... it should be given pride of place [principem locum: first place] in liturgical services." Vatican II - Sacrosanctum Concilium 116

The Youth will learn how to read & sing Gregorian chant notation & a simple piece of polyphony through instruction by the Knoxville Latin Mass Schola.  They will understand the genuine role of music in the liturgy as spelled out by the Church herself.  They will learn to worship more fully, & they will be transformed by the experience.

"All who take part in the divine office are not only performing a duty of the church, they are also sharing in what is the greatest honor for Christ's bride; for by offering these praises to God they are standing before God's throne in the name of the church, their mother." Vatican II - Sacrosanctum Concilium 85

What they learn will be put into practice at a 4:00pm Vespers service (again, all invited).  I believe this will be quite memorable for all in attendance.

"Faith grows when it is well expressed in celebration. Good celebrations can foster and nourish faith. Poor celebrations may weaken it." Sing to the Lord 5

A very influential someone in the parish greatly upset me with the comment, "they really don't take it very seriously here," meaning the liturgy & that my efforts to make sacred music better known & appreciated were a waste of time.  Perhaps we could clothe our Holy Mother in a more solemn, beautiful, & prayerful garment.  Perhaps it will take a new Spirit-filled generation to make it so.

The full bulletin notice can be found at the St. Thomas the Apostle homepage.