Posted on 01/10/2014 6:48:18 AM PST by marshmallow
On the eve of the feast of the Epiphany, more than 200 sacred music lovers from around the archdiocese and beyond filled the parish hall of St. Sebastian Church in Greenbrae and practiced Gregorian chant with Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone in preparation for afternoon vespers.
The event, organized by St. Sebastian pastor Father Mark Taheny and a group of parish volunteers, served as the archbishop’s launch point for publicly introducing the new Benedict XVI Institute for Sacred Music and Divine Worship at St. Patrick’s Seminary & University in Menlo Park and its director, Benedictine Father Samuel Weber.
Archbishop Cordileone explained to the assembly that he created the institute to “reclaim the sense of the sacred” in liturgical expression at the parish level and to offer a deeper sense of formation to lay ministers such as lectors, music directors, extraordinary ministers of holy Communion and those who bring Communion to the sick. The institute’s program – still in development while it seeks funding – will offer liturgical education courses toward certification at St. Patrick’s, at parishes and online.
According to the archbishop, a liturgical mindset and a sensitivity to the sacred is critical to the integrity of worship. He said the institute can provide the necessary foundation to parish pastors who choose to use it as a resource.
“It’s not enough to know how to pronounce the words correctly,” said the archbishop using the role of lector as an example. “To proclaim the word of God well, you must know what the words mean in an historical context and what the author is trying to say.” Extraordinary ministers of holy Communion likewise must develop eucharistic piety and devotion he says. “It’s not just a matter of doing a job, it’s a matter of loving the Lord and handling what is most....
(Excerpt) Read more at catholic-sf.org ...
Oh, isn’t this wonderful? And right here in California? May the tide turn, Lord, and may we again have sacred, beautiful, holy, worshipful music. Toss the ditties! Full speed ahead.
Good article. I say keep the very best Christian hymms as well as bring back the very best of the chants.
This is an area of vocational interest to me. Wish I had more time to study and practice. Chanted the Exultet at Easter Vigil last year. Have a long, long way to go in learning and appreciating. In almost every case and in nearly every moment when assisting with matters of this kind, the distractions are multifarious.
bttt
Congrats doing that. Not easy to learn, but it is a beautiful chant.
Music bump. Things are looking up for us out west.
On their home page is mention of their annual sacred music colloquium - " the largest and most in-depth teaching conference and retreat on sacred music in the world". I have been wanting to go to that for years.
Thank you! I live near the University of Notre Dame. There may opportunity to take a few classes there, maybe audit. Well see.
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