Gregorian Chant in Albuquerque

November 8, 3:27 PMAlbuquerque Catholic Examiner Thomas Leiker

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For many Catholics, especially those who recall the Latin Church before the Second Vatican Council, Gregorian Chant is a mainstay of sacred music.  For some, it invokes an image of a long line of hooded monks slowly processing through the center aisle of some great European cathedral, their voices united, creating a vibration like a spiritual tuning fork.  This music of the ages will be presented in Albuquerque by monks from the Monastery of Christ in the Desert, at the Shrine of St. Bernadette, 11401 Indian School Road NE on Saturday, November 14 at 6:30 PM.  The presentation will feature Gregorian Chant in Latin and English.  The concert is open to the public and a free will offering will be taken for the benefit of the monastery.  Information about the event can be obtained by calling 505 298-2531.

     The newest document on music ministry released by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship.  In this text, Gregorian Chant is spoken of with special honor, established with a unique suitability to Latin verse, and afforded a ‘pride of place’ in liturgy.  This statement reaffirms its validity having been stated in 1963 in the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy.   The Church calls this sacred music its own, and rightly so, being named after and having been developed by Pope Gregory the Great more than fourteen hundred years ago.  http://www.examiner.com/x-4101-Albuquerque-Catholic-Examiner~y2009m9d5-Why-Pope-Gregory-I-was-the-Great-conclusion

     Not only is the Gregorian style the music of the Catholic Church, chanted music is present in virtually every religious expression on earth.  Everyone is familiar with the Hindu chant, Om, but it is only one note in repertoire of chanted prayer that is essential to that faith’s worship.  Perhaps more obvious to people of other faiths as the monk procession described above is to Catholics are the images of Buddhists, Muslims, and Jews in respective chants of their own language and tradition.

     God is the maker of all things and must have been having a great day when he created music.  Some have referred to is as the music of the spheres or a variety of other catchy names, but there is a tone and resonance to the chant that touches the inner being.  Gregorian Chant really can make the heart vibrate in peace and love.  In fact, the music document from the USCCB addresses the correctness of metrical psalms, formula tones, and other elements in the preparation and presentation of the chanted prayer.  Done correctly, it is like laying a musical offering on the altar.  So important is this music to the universal church, that the bishops have recommended seminarians learn to celebrate the Mass in Latin with Gregorian Chant.  The modern Church has been permitted to celebrate the Mass in the language of the people where it is celebrated.  However, in the case of multicultural celebrations, the language and music of the Church is retained.  Gregorian Chant prayed in Latin is the celebration of the universal Church.

     The monks from the Monastery of Christ in the Desert are adherent to The Rule of St. Benedict and pursue that way of life.  http://www.examiner.com/x-4101-Albuquerque-Catholic-Examiner~y2009m7d10-St-Benedict-the-rule-and-the-desert   They practice their lifestyle in some of the most spectacular of God’s creations in New Mexico, Chama Canyon near Abiquiu, Georgia O’Keefe country.  The monastery was founded in 1964 and became an autonomous abbey in 1996.  It is reported to have around forty monks in prayer and has two dependant monasteries in Mexico, also of Benedictine order.

     From the press release of the Monastery of Christ in the Desert (an amazing and informative website at http://christdesert.org ), the community is advised that a small group of singers known as ‘schola’ from the monastery will be performing selected pieces in English and Latin at St. Bernadette.  Abbot Philip Lawrence will celebrate Mass at 4:30 before the concert, and subprior, Father Christian Leisy will be celebrating and preaching at all Sunday Masses at the parish.

     When we bring together the passion and dedication of these modern day desert fathers in tandem with a contemplative and prayerful music gifted to us by God, we become open to him in our hearts, our souls, and our minds.