|
“He who sings, prays twice.”
St. Augustine of Hippo
The Bishop of Hippo meant that singing adds to our praise and worship of God — that our voices are gifts, with which we can make music to the Lord. Sung prayer expresses the joy of the heart, the happiness resulting from one who has encountered Jesus Christ and experienced his love. Sung prayer reminds us of the choirs of heaven, with whom we are called to praise God eternally in heaven.
The Second Vatican Council taught that, “liturgical worship is given a more noble form when the divine offices are celebrated in song, with the assistance of sacred ministers and the active participation of the people.” When the sacred liturgy is sung, it becomes more beautiful, and more reflective of the beauty of the Most Blessed Trinity.
When we sing, we experience God’s presence in a new way. In 2003, Pope St. John Paul prayed that every Catholic, by “expressing their faith harmoniously and solemnly in song, will experience its richness ever more fully and will abide by the commitment to express its impulses in their daily life.”
I have been blessed in all of my parish assignments to have communities who sing robustly at Mass. It makes a difference in worship. However, I have heard so often, “Father, God doesn’t want to hear my voice. I have a terrible voice.” My response, “It is God that gave you that voice, let him hear it!”
How blessed we are at St. Timothy to have a talented and prayerful Music Director, Bob DeCarlo, as well as a wonderful music ministry. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to lead our liturgies in music every Sunday. Thank you Bob and all of Music Ministry for prayerfully leading us in song.
St. Augustine was right — he who sings prays twice. May we sing together — in holy worship — in praise and thanksgiving for all that God has given us.
Have a blessed week,
Fr. Patrick
| 
