Column by Jonathan Nagy
“Music allows us to enter into ‘what God intended for creation, namely beauty.’” – Pope Leo XIV
Pope Leo XIV recently made that comment after a concert on July 18 at Castel Gandolfo, where he has been enjoying his summer break since the beginning of July. The concert, which deeply moved our Holy Father, featured dozens of musicians performing pieces by the great Italian composers Niccolo Paganini and Vincenzo Bellini. In his remarks at the end of the concert, Pope Leo elaborated on the quote above, saying, “Music, art, and beauty represent the finest aspects of the human condition. We live in a world where beauty is lacking. Coming together for this sort of occasion reminds us that there is something greater than all of this. Music, art, and beauty are instruments that help us look toward God. This is one of the most beautiful aspects of the human condition.”
Pope Leo, I could not agree more!
As someone who has worked in education his entire career, one of great aspects of summer is the ability to do things that we are not normally afforded the time to do during the school year. While as an administrator I do not get the time off that I did as a teacher (who, by the way, have greatly earned their time off!), I still find time to tackle some projects around the house that I stare at all year wondering when I will get to them. One of those major projects was a complete reorganization of my music. As with most projects, this did not start out as such a daunting task as it ended up being.
Upon returning from a vacation, I was in a ‘hurry up’ mode to move things out of the way in the choir loft of the Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel as the long-awaited organ renovation project was about to get underway. This was not an easy task, with one of the reasons being, that each individual piece of music or book that I picked up I began to review. I decided to take some of that music home with me as I was beginning a similar undertaking in my living room. In the comfort of my own house, I took twice as long looking at each piece, reading the beautiful lyrics, playing in my head the angelic melodies of each musical work of art, and trying to come up with a way to sort, organize, and then remember which binder, folder, or drawer these songs are when I would like to use them. I went through THOUSANDS of hymns and songs, each with their own beauty.
I was so touched when I read that Pope Leo described music and art as beauty, for that is what they truly are. They do cause us to look upwards to Heaven, and I would venture to say that the majority of both have been based in faith. While the paintings, sculptures, and other physical works of art created over the centuries are themselves so numerous that they are nearly impossible to count, I would like to focus on the music. The psalms were hymns written by King David, the early church sang songs of praise to the Risen Christ, the medieval times brought amazing Gregorian chants, the proliferation of the Church throughout the world brought in cultural elements, and modern times have ushered in a new generation of hymns.
I would surmise to say that almost everyone has a favorite hymn. I recently asked my friends on Facebook to name some of their favorite hymns and the reasons behind them. The songs ranged from moving classics including the Ave Maria, hymns set to several famous melodies such as O God Beyond All Praising (Holst’s Jupiter) and Lord, You Give the Great Commission (Abbot’s Leigh), American Christian favorites, for example, How Great Thou Art and Amazing Grace, and a list of more modern hymns that included On Eagles Wings, Hail Mary, Gentle Woman and Holy Is His Name, to everything in between. Each person that commented had a specific reason why the hymns meant something to them. Each reason was a reflection of the beauty that God has laid in each hymn that was created for His honor and glory.
I find it so very difficult to narrow down a list of hymns to a short list. Some of my favorites include Pange Lingua, Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee, In Christ Alone, O God Beyond All Praising, and Seek Ye First. However, perhaps my favorite hymn of all-time is Ave Verum Corpus, composed in 1791 by none other than Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The words were written by Pope Innocent VI in the 13th century. This Eucharistic motet was composed by Mozart to celebrate the Feast of Corpus Christi, less than six months before his death. It is believed that he took a break from writing his Requiem Mass, his final work which he never was able to complete, to compose the Ave Verum Corpus. While a fairly short hymn at only 46 bars, it has long been performed beautifully by people all around the world.
The original Latin lyrics:
Ave verum corpus, natum de Maria Virgine, vere passum, immolatum in cruce pro homine cuius latus perforatum fluxit aqua et sanguine: esto nobis praegustatum in mortis examine.
Translated into English:
Hail, true Body, born of the Virgin Mary, having truly suffered, sacrificed on the cross for mankind, from whose pierced side water and blood flowed: Be for us a sweet foretaste in the trial of death!
Set to the moving arrangement created by Mozart, these few dozen words sum up our Catholic faith and belief like few hymns I have ever heard. Jesus, born of the Virgin Mary, who died for us, now is offered as a sacrifice for us in the form of the Holy Eucharist, that will give us strength at the hour of our death. The awesome love and power of God is brilliantly summed up in this short verse.
Hearing this hymn performed is a beautiful tribute in Thanksgiving to God. I gained a greater appreciation and love for this hymn the first time that I had the Basilica choir sing it as I played it on the organ. This is a song that you feel, not just sing or hear. I have the choir sing it often (some may think too often) not only because it is such a pleasing melodic hymn, but because the words just mean so much for us and all of humanity. There exists so much emotional depth in this 3-minute hymn. While many do not read Latin, taking time to learn the translation behind the Latin makes the performance of the piece all that more meaningful. If you have never heard the hymn, I invite you to look it up. If you have heard it 1,000 times, it is worth the 1,0001st time!
While I could go on more about this hymn, it is not the full purpose of this article, nor does Mozart need any more validation from me. I want to reflect back on Pope Leo’s comments about the beauty in music. In his remarks where he commented that the world sometimes lacks beauty, he referenced wars, hatred, unemployment, and other difficulties of life that shield that beauty, but music allows us to see that there is something greater than all of this. That greatness is Jesus Christ.
Many individuals will try to define what a true hymn is. Traditionalists will discount new music and those who like modern music disregard chants. The basic Catholic definition of a hymn, as defined by the Catechism is, “A religious song or poem of praise to God that expresses the faith of the Church, flows from her doctrine, and serves the dignity of the sacred rites.” Some great religious songs do not classify as a traditional hymn, but yet, have strong value. If a Christian song brings you closer to God, then it is a good song. If a hymn allows you to feel human emotions while reminding you to look upwards to Heaven, then it has done its purpose. While everyone has their favorite hymns and songs, they also have those they do not like. Keep in mind that just because you may not like a hymn, it may hold great value and mean something to someone else.
I also invite you to really take some time to read and understand the lyrics to the hymns at Mass. Most parishes post the numbers of the hymns from the hymnals or have a worship aid program with the hymns included. Take time in your Mass preparation to read those lyrics and understand why certain hymns were selected for that particular Mass. Also, just in general, take the time to read hymn lyrics and pray on them. Allow the beauty of the musical settings combined with the powerful words to fill your senses with the power and wonder of God.
Saint Augustine is famously quoted as saying, “He who sings, prays twice.” I would add that he who sings and understands the lyrics is singing and praying thrice! Let the beauty of the music overtake your soul and bring you closer to Jesus Christ and God the Father in Heaven!
Jonathan Nagy, M.Ed., is the Principal of Bishop Carroll Catholic High School in Ebensburg and the Music Director at the Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel in Loretto.
