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Latin
Mass & Catholic Tradition | Listen
to Sample of Gregorian Chant
Gregorian
Chant
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Gregorian
Chant is "A name distinguishing that species of ecclesiastical
plainchant normally used by the Western church from the Ambrosian,
Mozarabic and other species of plainchant." (Catholic Dictionary)
Traditionally, this sacred music which historically has accompanied the
liturgy, is performed in Latin by an all male choir, often unaccompanied by instruments.
It takes its name from Pope St. Gregory the Great.
As
stated by the Second Vatican Council:
"The
Church recognizes Gregorian chant as being specially suited to the Roman
liturgy. Therefore, other things being equal, it should be given pride
of place in liturgical services." (Second Vatican Council)
Pope
John Paul II recently remarked:
"Gregory
the Great compiled the Antiphonarium and thus laid the ground for the
organic development of that most original sacred music which takes its
name from him. Gregorian chant, with its inspired modulations, was to
become down the centuries the music of the Church's faith in the
liturgical celebration of the sacred mysteries. The 'beautiful' was thus
wedded to the 'true', so that through art too souls might be lifted up
from the world of the senses to the eternal." (Pope John Paul II)
Other
recent papal quotations regarding Gregorian Chant include...
"And
if in Catholic churches throughout the entire world Gregorian chant
sounds forth without corruption or diminution, the chant itself, like
the sacred Roman liturgy, will have a characteristic of universality, so
that the faithful, wherever they may be, will hear music that is
familiar to them and a part of their own home. In this way they may
experience, with much spiritual consolation, the wonderful unity of the
Church. This is one of the most important reasons why the Church so
greatly desires that the Gregorian chant traditionally associated with
the Latin words of the sacred liturgy be used." (Pope Pius XII,
"Musicae Sacrae", 1955 A.D.)
"[Sacred
music] must be holy. It must not allow within itself anything that
savors of the profane nor allow any such thing to slip into the melodies
in which it is expressed. The Gregorian chant which has been used in the
Church over the course of so many centuries, and which may be called, as
it were, its patrimony, is gloriously outstanding for this holiness.
This chant, because of the close adaptation of the melody to the sacred
text, is not only most intimately conformed to the words, but also in a
way interprets their force and efficacy and brings delight to the minds
of the hearers. It does this by the use of musical modes that are simple
and plain, but which are still composed with such sublime and holy art
that they move everyone to sincere admiration and constitute an almost
inexhaustible source from which musicians and composers draw new
melodies." (Pope Pius XII, "Musicae Sacrae", 1955 A.D.)
"As
regards music, let the clear and guiding norms of the Apostolic See be
scrupulously observed. Gregorian chant, which the Roman Church considers
her own as handed down from antiquity and kept under her close tutelage,
is proposed to the faithful as belonging to them also. In certain parts
of the liturgy the Church definitely prescribes it; it makes the
celebration of the sacred mysteries not only more dignified and solemn
but helps very much to increase the faith and devotion of the
congregation. For this reason, Our predecessors of immortal memory, Pius
X and Pius XI, decree - and We are happy to confirm with Our authority
the norms laid down by them - that in seminaries and religious
institutes, Gregorian chant be diligently and zealously promoted, and
moreover that the old Scholae Cantorum be restored, at least in the
principal churches. This has already been done with happy results in not
a few places." (Pope Pius XII, "Mediator Dei", 1947 A.D.)
"Sacred
music, being a complementary part of the solemn liturgy, participates in
the general scope of the liturgy, which is the glory of God and the
sanctification and edification of the faithful. It contributes to the
decorum and the splendor of the ecclesiastical ceremonies, and since its
principal office is to clothe with suitable melody the liturgical text
proposed for the understanding of the faithful, its proper aim is to add
greater efficacy to the text, in order that through it the faithful may
be the more easily moved to devotion and better disposed for the
reception of the fruits of grace belonging to the celebration of the
most holy mysteries. Sacred music should consequently possess, in the
highest degree, the qualities proper to the liturgy, and in particular
sanctity and goodness of form, which will spontaneously produce the
final quality of universality. It must be holy, and must, therefore,
exclude all profanity not only in itself, but in the manner in which it
is presented by those who execute it. It must be true art, for otherwise
it will be impossible for it to exercise on the minds of those who
listen to it that efficacy which the Church aims at obtaining in
admitting into her liturgy the art of musical sounds... These qualities
are to be found, in the highest degree, in Gregorian Chant, which is,
consequently the Chant proper to the Roman Church, the only chant she
has inherited from the ancient fathers, which she has jealously guarded
for centuries in her liturgical codices, which she directly proposes to
the faithful as her own, which she prescribes exclusively for some parts
of the liturgy, and which the most recent studies have so happily
restored to their integrity and purity. On these grounds Gregorian Chant
has always been regarded as the supreme model for sacred music, so that
it is fully legitimate to lay down the following rule: the more closely
a composition for church approaches in its movement, inspiration and
savor the Gregorian form, the more sacred and liturgical it becomes; and
the more out of harmony it is with that supreme model, the less worthy
it is of the temple." (Pope St. Pius X, "Inter Sollicitudines",
1906 A.D.)
Click
here for more 'Sacred Music Reflections' (Church Talk Section)
This
incomparable, sacred music easily lifts the mind to contemplation of
heavenly realities. Even simple and young persons can appreciate
the sacred character of the music after hearing just a few notes. This
music is traditionally associated with monks, and with the 'Tridentine'
Mass (click
here).
To
listen to a sample of Gregorian Chant, click
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Also
See...
Music (Topic Page)
Sacred
Music Reflections (Church Talk Section)
Traditional Latin Mass (Topic Page)
Latin
Mass &
Catholic Tradition: Q & A
Latin
Language
Latin
Mass Facts
Why
the Latin Mass?
Status
of the Latin 'Tridentine' Mass
The
Traditional Latin Mass vs. the Novus Ordo (New) Mass
How
to Find a Latin 'Tridentine' Mass
The
above is provided for informational purposes only and is not
comprehensive. We make no guarantees regarding any item herein. By using
this site you indicate agreement to all terms. For terms information,
see "Important Notice" above and click
here.
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