Sacred music’s primary purpose is lifting the soul to God.
Briefly
- Liturgical music’s highest purpose is to glorify God and lead the faithful into deeper worship.
- Seminarians are formed to incorporate music thoughtfully into the liturgy.
- Music must be theologically sound, liturgically appropriate and beautiful to lift souls to Christ.
From the soaring notes of Gregorian chant to the simple tones of a priest relaying the doxology after the Eucharistic prayer, sacred music holds a profound place in Catholic worship. More than a backdrop to the liturgy, music is meant to lift the soul, drawing hearts to God and fostering deeper participation in the sacred mysteries.
The true role of music in the liturgy
The Church teaches that the highest and most proper role of music in the liturgy is to glorify God and sanctify the faithful. Sacrosanctum Concilium, the Second Vatican Council’s Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, states that “sacred music is a treasure of inestimable value,” (122) meant to enhance worship and encourage the active participation of the faithful. Gregorian chant holds “pride of place” (116) in the liturgy, though other forms — like polyphony, which combines multiple melodies played simultaneously, and hymns that are easily sung by the congregration — are welcomed when they respect the sacredness of the Mass .
For Dr. Elena Bird Zolnick, director of sacred music at The Saint Paul Seminary, this guiding principle shapes everything.
“There’s one thing that must always be attended to, and that is ‘what direction is the music pointing in?’” she says. “There is only one correct answer, and that is that the music and the worship and the prayer must all be pointed toward Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. If it is not pointing toward Jesus Christ in the Eucharist during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, then you really, really need to ask, ‘Where does this belong?’ — and the answer is ‘probably not during Mass.’”
Forming seminarians in the language of worship
At The Saint Paul Seminary, seminarians are not only trained to celebrate the sacraments but also to incorporate music into worship in a way that draws the faithful more deeply into the liturgy. Zolnick emphasizes that seminarians must first develop a reverence for the role of music in worship.
“At a bare minimum, I would love for every man to be able to chant the most important parts of the Mass on a monotone,” she says. But beyond the practical skills, there’s a deeper formational goal: “It’s about discernment — understanding music, art and beauty, and how these can move the hearts of their congregants toward Christ.”
This formation emphasizes three key criteria for music in the liturgy: it must be theologically sound, liturgically appropriate and beautiful.
“Without beauty,” Zolnick said, “we lose transcendence.”
“Without beauty, we lose transcendence.” — Dr. Elena Bird Zolnick, Saint Paul Seminary Director of Sacred Music
Zolnick, who recently earned her Doctor of Musical Arts in voice and choral conducting from the University of Minnesota, is quick to point out that beauty isn’t about perfection. A professional choir might sing flawlessly yet lack true beauty, while a humble children’s choir could deliver a performance that touches hearts and lifts souls.
“Beauty, when it’s there, touches your heart — it transcends us to the divine.”
Sacred music beyond the Mass
While the Mass holds the central place in Catholic worship, music enriches other forms of prayer, too.
The Liturgy of the Hours, often called the “prayer of the Church,” is traditionally chanted, weaving music into the daily rhythm of prayer. Hymns have become a beloved part of Catholic worship, including outside of Mass — such as praise and worship sessions or Eucharistic adoration.
Listen to The Saint Paul Seminary Schola
Introducing “Songs of Discernment,” a compilation of sacred music from The Saint Paul Seminary
Comprised of men in formation for priesthood along with laymen and women from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, The Saint Paul Seminary Schola and mixed choir have released the seminary’s first music album. “Songs of Discernment” is available wherever you stream music.
Lifting souls to God
Sacred music has a singular mission: to lift the soul to God. Whether it’s the simple chanting of the Gospel or a majestic hymn at Communion, music has the power to transcend the ordinary and bring the faithful into a deeper encounter with the sacred.
“He who sings prays twice,” St. Augustine famously said.