We Pursue Chant Because…

Because of its inherent worth in the liturgy.  Because we seek solemnity and genuine worship.  Because it is robust and fragile, difficult and effortless at the same time.  Because it consumes us.  Because it is the right thing to do.

Waiting on my flight out of Dallas after a two-day workshop at Mater Dei Catholic Church, one of the first, if not the first, FSSP Communities in the US, and now a parish in its own right in Irving, TX.  The crowd was eager and wonderful.  Everyone sang and learned, and sang more.  The crowd included curious beginners, members of the parish choir and schola, more children than you can imagine, and people who drove hours across the Lone Star State to be there. It was tiring, but glorious. I’d love to be present in the morning to hear the first evidence of the fruits of the workshop.   And I’m wishing this wonderful parish all the musical best for the future.

I’ll be back home by midnight if all goes well.  And back at my own parish in Auburn, AL before 7:00am for the first Mass of the day.  Here’s the front and back of the program from which we’ll be singing tomorrow…ordinary form; only myself and another singer.  But it will be wonderful to be home.  The beat goes on.

4 Replies to “We Pursue Chant Because…”

  1. In the Communio, I love the liquescents on 'et turtur', replicating the call of the dove. The Laon neumes convey this very well.

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