THE GIGO PRINCIPLE Sacred Music -- a Healthy Diet of the Word of God in Rhythm and Rhyme -- Lift the Soul to a Higher Ground – a Vitamin C-Chord Antioxidant to the Word of the World (Return to Home Page: ChurchMouse.Bz)
St. Paul writes “Address one another … in spiritual songs” [Please see Catechism of the Catholic Church.]Today, in our militant secular humanistic age, these words could not be more applicable. ‘The musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art.’ (CCC, 1156) No matter how faithful we are to the Virtue of Purity, it is virtually impossible to escape the continuous bombardment of impure messages. We can do, as they tell us, turn it off but, why should the devil have all the fun? Just as many other people do, Catholics wish to hear music too. So, instead of turning it off, I turn to great catholic Artists, such as, John Michael Talbot, a highly-talented Franciscan monk with 50 Cds to his credit. His music is a wonderful edification to the ears; a healthy diet of the Word of God in rhythm and rhyme which lifts the soul to a higher ground – a Vitamin C-chord antioxidant. A lady enjoyed having friends at her home for weekly tea and conversation. She had two, large, very comfortable sofas, directly opposite one another, that were perfect for a Friday evening. Without any ulterior motives, she hung a painting of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the wall between the two groups. After some time, the discussion was transformed from shallow, and occasionally vulgar to deeper, spiritual matters. The same effect happens with sacred music. Try it. Next time you have some friends over, play some Gregorian Chant. I was as a sales clerk in a Catholic bookstore. We used to quietly play Gregorian Chant in the background. When customers walked in the door and heard the music playing, they would hold on to the door, making sure it would shut softly. It was more hushed in the store than in the Church next door. Finally, a “non-Christian” example involving Classical music (although most Classical music is liturgical) – the local subway station was a hangout for teenagers after school, often involving fighting between students from different schools. This situation became a true nuisance and dangerous. As a result, the Administration started playing annoying Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven. It was not long before the crowds dissolved and sought a new home in a donut shop. Have you ever heard the acronym, “GIGO” – what goes in, goes out? I listen to out of this world Catholic music as I am working. It’s amazing how the mind absorbs it into your spirit’s digestive system. You may not consciously assimilate every single sound byte but it keeps you in the presence of the Lord. Many Catholics are turning to “Christian” and some, non-offensive “Country” music (from the “Bible-Belt”) to satisfy their hunger for wholesome entertainment.
Singing and music – according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church
"The musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art. The main reason for this pre-eminence is that, as a combination of sacred music and words, it forms a necessary or integral part of solemn liturgy."20 The composition and singing of inspired psalms, often accompanied by musical instruments, were already closely linked to the liturgical celebrations of the Old Covenant. The Church continues and develops this tradition: "Address . . . one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart." "He who sings prays twice."21 Song and music fulfill their function as signs in a manner all the more significant when they are "more closely connected . . . with the liturgical action,"22 according to three principal criteria: beauty expressive of prayer, the unanimous participation of the assembly at the designated moments, and the solemn character of the celebration. In this way they participate in the purpose of the liturgical words and actions: the glory of God and the sanctification of the faithful:23 How I wept, deeply moved by your hymns, songs, and the voices that echoed through your Church! What emotion I experienced in them! Those sounds flowed into my ears distilling the truth in my heart. A feeling of devotion surged within me, and tears streamed down my face - tears that did me good.24 The harmony of signs (song, music, words, and actions) is all the more expressive and fruitful when expressed in the cultural richness of the People of God who celebrate.25 Hence "religious singing by the faithful is to be intelligently fostered so that in devotions and sacred exercises as well as in liturgical services," in conformity with the Church's norms, "the voices of the faithful may be heard." But "the texts intended to be sung must always be in conformity with Catholic doctrine. Indeed they should be drawn chiefly from the Sacred Scripture and from liturgical sources."26 Holy images [– What do “Holy Images” have to do with Music?] The sacred image, the liturgical icon, principally represents Christ. It cannot represent the invisible and incomprehensible God, but the incarnation of the Son of God has ushered in a new "economy" of images: Previously God, who has neither a body nor a face, absolutely could not be represented by an image. But now that he has made himself visible in the flesh and has lived with men, I can make an image of what I have seen of God . . . and contemplate the glory of the Lord, his face unveiled.27 Christian iconography expresses in images the same Gospel message that Scripture communicates by words. Image and word illuminate each other: We declare that we preserve intact all the written and unwritten traditions of the Church which have been entrusted to us. One of these traditions consists in the production of representational artwork, which accords with the history of the preaching of the Gospel. For it confirms that the incarnation of the Word of God was real and not imaginary, and to our benefit as well, for realities that illustrate each other undoubtedly reflect each other's meaning.28 All the signs in the liturgical celebrations are related to Christ: as are sacred images of the holy Mother of God and of the saints as well. They truly signify Christ, who is glorified in them. They make manifest the "cloud of witnesses"29 who continue to participate in the salvation of the world and to whom we are united, above all in sacramental celebrations. Through their icons, it is man "in the image of God," finally transfigured "into his likeness,"30 who is revealed to our faith. So too are the angels, who also are recapitulated in Christ: Following the divinely inspired teaching of our holy Fathers and the tradition of the Catholic Church (for we know that this tradition comes from the Holy Spirit who dwells in her) we rightly define with full certainty and correctness that, like the figure of the precious and life-giving cross, venerable and holy images of our Lord and God and Savior, Jesus Christ, our inviolate Lady, the holy Mother of God, and the venerated angels, all the saints and the just, whether painted or made of mosaic or another suitable material, are to be exhibited in the holy churches of God, on sacred vessels and vestments, walls and panels, in houses and on streets.31 "The beauty of the images moves me to contemplation, as a meadow delights the eyes and subtly infuses the soul with the glory of God."32 Similarly, the contemplation of sacred icons, united with meditation on the Word of God and the singing of liturgical hymns, enters into the harmony of the signs of celebration so that the mystery celebrated is imprinted in the heart's memory and is then expressed in the new life of the faithful. [ “Singing and Music;” “Holy Images,” the Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 1156-1162]
Our Holy Father conferred his Apostolic Blessing on my Apostolate as a Catholic communicator, dedicated to being faithful to the teachings of the Catholic Church. It is an honor beyond words. The Assessor, Monsignor Pedro Lopez Quintana, who signed the letter on behalf of his Holiness, was recently elevated to the Office of Bishop; one of twelve Bishops specifically chosen by Pope John Paul II for the New Evangelization.
Dear Mr. Rizzo,
I am directed by the Holy Father to express his gratitude for the message of devoted adherance to the Church's teaching....He prays that you will always find, in your valuable vocation as a teacher of religion, light and strength in the word of God as it is transmitted and proclaimed by the Catholic Church.
Invoking upon you and your father the protection of Mary, Mother of God and Mother of the Church, His Holiness cordially imparts his Apostolic Blessing.
