Few things move the soul at the traditional Mass like the rise and fall of Gregorian chant. Ancient and serene, it seems to come from somewhere beyond time. The Church holds chant in the highest esteem — she calls it her own music, specially suited to the Roman liturgy.
What is Gregorian chant?
Gregorian chant is the traditional sacred song of the Roman Rite: a single, unaccompanied melodic line, sung in Latin, drawn largely from the Psalms and the Scriptures. It takes its name from Pope St. Gregory the Great, who helped order and hand on this treasury. Unlike most modern music, chant has no fixed beat marching forward; it moves freely, following the natural rhythm of the sacred words, like quiet breathing or gentle waves.
Why it has such power
Chant is the servant of the sacred text. It never calls attention to itself, but rather lifts the words of Scripture and prayer and carries them upward to God. Its restraint is its strength: it calms the restless heart, draws the mind to recollection, and creates a space of prayer. To sing or to hear the Kyrie, the Sanctus, or the Salve Regina in chant is to be drawn, almost without effort, into adoration.
The treasury of sacred music
Chant is the foundation, but it is not alone. Built upon it is the great tradition of sacred polyphony — the interweaving of several voices that flowered in composers such as Palestrina — music of breathtaking beauty written entirely for the worship of God. The pipe organ, too, holds a place of honor in the Roman Church, its sound uniquely able to lift hearts heavenward and to add splendor to the sacred ceremonies.
The Church's enduring counsel
The Church has consistently taught that Gregorian chant holds pride of place in the Roman liturgy, and that sacred polyphony and the organ are likewise to be cherished. Far from being relics, these treasures remain proper to Catholic worship and ever capable of nourishing the prayer of the faithful.
Listening with the heart
If you are new to chant, you need not be a musician to receive its gift. Simply listen, and let it quiet you. Notice how it leaves room for silence, how it never hurries. Over time you may find a few melodies taking root in your memory, rising to your lips during the week. That is the chant doing its ancient work — turning the heart, gently and persistently, toward God.