Fr. John Fullerton
District Superior, USA

Dear Reader,

Four days before the New Mass came into force, in November 1969, Pope Paul VI gave an address trying to justify the change of liturgy. He mentioned that setting Latin aside for the vernacular would be a great sacrifice and then noted that, since Latin would no longer be the language of the liturgy, “we will lose a great part of that stupendous and incomparable artistic and spiritual thing, Gregorian chant.”

It is a characteristic of the Conciliar popes to lift up the age-old practices of the Church with one hand, and then immediately sweep them away with the other. Pope Paul characterized the elimination of Latin and Gregorian chant as a “reason for regret” and “almost for bewilderment” but ultimately justified it for the sake of “participation by the people…particularly participation by modern people.” When chant was shelved and “On Eagles’ Wings” was put in its place, however, tens of thousands of Catholics stopped participating and left the Church.

The loss of Gregorian chant in the life of the average Catholic for the past sixty years has been incalculable. No music is so capable of raising the soul to God as this sacred chant.

Gregorian chant is so spiritual because it is so simple. It purposely removes the musical elements of harmony from its pieces by allowing for only one pitch at a given moment and reduces that of rhythm by having the musical stress occur alternatively on the second or third note from the previous stress. This austerity of form leaves a pure melody that speaks directly to the highest faculties of man’s soul.

This authentic music of the Church has been sanctifying Catholics for practically the whole of her history, and it continues to sanctify us today, we who hold on to this treasure. This music must become a part of us, especially the Kyriales that the Church has assigned to the various parts of the liturgical year. We know that it is Easter when Kyrie I begins the Paschal Vigil Midnight Mass; what a contrast from Kyriale XVII that is used for Advent and Lent! Kyriale IX appears on feasts of Our Lady, Kyriale XI on Sundays throughout the year, and VIII, or the Mass of the Angels, as an optional setting for any Sung Mass. Blessed is the Catholic who can recognize and sing these sacred melodies.

The world has its music by which it forms souls; we also have ours. This issue of The Angelus seeks to remind us of the priceless value of the music that makes up our traditional liturgy. Let us appreciate the beauty of the Sung Mass and the Gregorian chant that so dignifies it.

Fr. John Fullerton