SE06 EP13 - What is Sacred Music, & Why Does It Matter? with Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone
May 21, 2024
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Join Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone in a discussion about the importance of sacred music in worship, exploring how it draws individuals closer to God, expresses emotions, blends tradition with innovation, impacts culture, and prepares hearts for the divine realm.
Sacred music serves to glorify God and spiritually form individuals, transcending mere expressiveness.
Sacred music adapts to diverse cultures while maintaining Latin as the universal language for the Roman Rite.
Deep dives
Definition of Sacred Music and Its Purpose
The purpose of sacred music, as discussed by Archbishop Cordiglione, is to serve the greater glory of God and the sanctification of Christian people. Its primary function is not mere expressiveness but formative beauty that impacts the individual's spiritual growth and connection to Christ.
Music as a Formative Tool in Worship
Sacred music forms individuals intellectually and intuitively, aligning them with the truth of Christ. It transcends other ways of conveying truth, especially appealing to individuals closed off to rational arguments. Through its beauty, sacred music touches souls, making them receptive to spiritual growth and transformation.
Expressions in Sacred Music and Its Adaptability
Sacred music primarily expresses the mysteries of the faith and aims to reflect the divine aspects present in the Mass. While emotions, culture, and time can be expressed through music, the focus remains on conveying the essence of God, faith, and sacred narratives.
The Role of Culture and Language in Sacred Music
Sacred music adapts to diverse cultures while upholding Latin as the universal language for the Roman Rite. Incorporating vernacular languages must align with the sacredness of the liturgy. Enculturation involves integrating Christ into culture, resonating with the essence of beauty and spirituality across different regions.
Join us for a discussion with the Archbishop of San Francisco, Salvatore J. Cordileone, about principles every Catholic should learn so that they can think with the mind of the Church about sacred music. We discuss the purpose and nature of sacred music, how it sounds, what effect it has on us, and how it expresses time, culture, and emotions.