Musica Sacra - Sacred Music: A Liturgical and Pastoral Challenge

The Second Vatican Council praised the Church's rich patrimony of sacred music and called for its continued liturgical use, with "pride of place" given to Gregorian chant. The Council Fathers also asked for the development of choirs capable of singing beautiful sacred music and the encouragement of the congregation to sing those parts of the Mass proper to them. What is involved in implementing these multiple reforms aimed at drawing the faithful more deeply into the sacrifice of the Mass?

This question is expertly addressed in these papers collected by the Congregation for Divine Worship. All of the various authors are noted for their scholarship in or experience with the aspirations for sacred music expressed in the Second Vatican Council's document on the liturgy, Sacrosanctum Conciilium. With depth and candor they discuss the successes, as well as the continued challenges, involved in implementing the liturgical reforms envisioned by the Council Fathers.

These papers are sure to make a significant contribution to the current conversation about the important place of music in the worship of God. In addition, they will encourage parishes, choirmasters, and members of the congregation to join in and make the Sacred Liturgy more beautiful with the addition of ancient Sacred Music, such as Gregorian Chant.