ARCHBISHOP'S CIRCULAR
Many a time, music that is played and sung in our Churches, instead of edifying and sanctifying the liturgical assembly and providing a foretaste of the heavenly liturgy, distracts the faithful from the meaning of the sacred text or from the purpose of worship for which the community gathers
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TASK OF NEW COMMITTEE
Conduct courses, seminars, workshops, etc in parishes and other institutions, with a view to forming choir masters, singers, musicians and others involved in the liturgical and musical apostolates, not excluding the faithful at large, in the use of song and music during liturgical celebrations
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With the appropriate formation in liturgical music of our music composers and executors, I am confident that our Liturgy will regain its place in our parishes and oratories
- Archbishop Ferrão
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PANAJI: Have some modern renditions and expressions of Church music become distasteful and have they ended up distracting congregations?
Cantors, choirs and congregations are now being encouraged to promote edifying and sanctifying forms of sacred music in churches and religious institutions across the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman.
While keyboards, other electronic instruments and modern music have largely replaced violins and other traditional wind and string instruments in sacred music, the archdiocese has been mindful to some not-so-tasteful forms of expression, distracting the faithful from the meaning of the sacred text or from the purpose of worship.
Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrão has constituted a “Committee for Formation in Liturgical Music”, to provide necessary formation to choirmasters, singers, musicians and faithful involved in liturgical and musical apostolates, in the use of song and music during liturgical celebrations.
In a circular to parish priests, chaplains and superiors of religious houses in the archdiocese, Archbishop Ferrão said music (song) has a privileged place among the various signs and symbols used in liturgical celebrations.
“Over the centuries, the Church has cultivated and accumulated a priceless treasury of liturgical song and music,” he said.
“Our archdiocese has developed a rich heritage of liturgical music along the five hundred years of its journey of faith. Music was a forte of Goan Catholics, in their homeland and beyond.”
“We know how Goan musicians of yesteryears were introduced to music in our parochial schools and were nurtured by the Church as they participated in religious services,” said Archbishop Ferrão.
With the passing of time, the Archbishop said it has been observed that worldly standards have gradually been applied to Church music, “resulting in some distasteful forms of expression not always worthy of the sublime act that is being celebrated.”
“Many a time, music that is played and sung in our Churches, instead of edifying and sanctifying the liturgical assembly and providing a foretaste of the heavenly liturgy, distracts the faithful from the meaning of the sacred text or from the purpose of worship for which the community gathers.”
In light of these concerns, Archbishop Ferrão has constituted a “Committee for Formation in Liturgical Music”, comprising Fr Romeo Monteiro (Convenor), Fr Seby Basilio Vaz (Secretary), Fr Bernardo Cota, Fr Joaquim Loiola Pereira, Fr Simon D'Cunha, Preethi Coutinho and Antonio Caetano Antao (members).
“The task of this new committee will be to conduct courses, seminars, workshops, etc. in parishes and other institutions present in our Archdiocese, with a view to forming choir masters, singers, musicians and others involved in the liturgical and musical apostolates, not excluding the faithful at large, in the use of song and music during liturgical celebrations.”
Clarifying that the scrutiny of new musical compositions for liturgical use would continue to be the responsibility of the Diocesan Commission for Sacred Music, Archbishop Ferrão said the new committee will work in collaboration with the Diocesan Commission for Sacred Music and the Diocesan Centre for Liturgy.
The archbishop has requested parish priests, chaplains and superiors of religious institutes to send those involved in liturgical and musical apostolates to participate in various programmes to be organized by the Committee for Formation in Liturgical Music.
“With the appropriate formation in liturgical music of our music composers and executors, I am confident that our Liturgy will regain its place in our parishes and oratories, as the true font of Christian spirituality,” Archbishop Ferrão said.
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PANAJI: The Committee for Formation in Liturgical Music has begun its task of forming choir masters, singers and musicians in the use of song and music during liturgical celebrations.
When contacted, committee member Fr Loiola Pereira said the programme had already taken off with the first module being conducted at Fatorda on July 15 to an enthusiastic group of nearly 60 participants.
“They are given both theory and practical exercises for the performance of liturgical music, like correct breathing, vocalization, choral singing as well as playing of the various musical instruments,” Fr Pereira said.
“Each programme includes four sessions of five hours each and it will be offered in the various deaneries of the archdiocese,” he added.
