AdobeStock_by Andy Dean
By Nicole Gerdes
“The musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of inestimable value.”
These are the first words written to the Church from Pope St. Paul VI about sacred music in Sacrosanctum Concilium, the Constitution on Sacred Liturgy. What makes this specific musical tradition so valuable? Pope St. John Paul II said in an address in 1988, “Among the manifestations of the human spirit, music plays a lofty, unique, and irreplaceable role. When it is truly beautiful and inspired, it speaks to us, more than all the other arts, of goodness, virtue, peace, and the holy and divine … it has always been and always will be an essential part of the liturgy.”
A child’s faith formation begins in the home. Whether that is praying before meals or attending Sunday Mass, the first introduction to a relationship with Jesus stems from what children are witnessing at home. Think about how intimately we need to work with children to learn skills such as genuflecting or making the sign of the cross. This type of intimacy is comparable to how music works within sacred liturgy. Sacred music is so closely intertwined with sacred liturgy that it must hold both elements of truth and goodness.
As children grow, there are an overwhelming number of activities available. As parents are deciding where to devote their resources while also balancing their children’s interests, the purpose of an activity can get lost very quickly. Is the activity nourishing the child’s body, mind and spirit? Is the goal of the activity to help forge the child’s way to heaven—a life leading to sainthood? Sacrosanctum Concilium explains that the purpose of sacred music is for “the glory of God and the sanctification of the faithful.”
But why is exposure to sacred music so important for our youth?
Sacred music is filled with truth and beauty; therefore, it is one of the most valuable treasures that can be given to children. The sacred texts speak of goodness, virtue and peace with every note being written and inspired through prayer. Sacred music teaches about holiness and divinity, while, at the same time, creating beautiful, inspired and prayerful music, which is an essential part of sacred liturgy.
As the assistant music director at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph, I work with the Cathedral Children’s Choir and the St. Joseph Academy Liturgical Choir. Growing up, my family lived in the Sioux Falls area and were parishioners at St. Michael Parish, where my mother was very involved in music ministry.
Now, while my mom is a fantastic pianist and accompanist, my father cannot carry a tune. My mother was the one playing piano at Mass, providing a living example of a music minister. That meant she was not always in the pew holding open the hymnal for the very part of the liturgy in which she was involved. Music could have been seen as something only my mother did at church, but my father sang along, held our hands to follow along in the music, and guided us in active participation during Mass. We would giggle silently at his bold, yet out-of-tune singing, but it eliminated any type of self-conscious thoughts that we could possibly have about our own singing. My dad made himself vulnerable in order to keep a door open for all five of his children. My sister now plays piano for Masses, and I continued my education, completing a degree in sacred music.
As humans created in the image of God, we are all meant to create beauty. If children are to create beauty, provide them with opportunities to be involved in beautiful things. Sacred music is a worthy exemplification of Christian truth that can be incorporated into the culture of a home. Sing with your children at home and help them elevate their spirits with the tool of sacred music. Allow it to be serious and emotional, joyful and fun.
Both parents play a role in everything a child does. My musical mother and my father (who was asked to leave his junior high school choir) played a role in my faith life and what turned out to be my career. My mom sat beside me practicing piano and violin daily and was the foundation of my involvement in music ministry. My dad’s role, equally as important, was to teach me to not be ashamed of trying while providing unwavering support in my musical education. They both led by example, knowing that the power of Christ through sacred music was forming my intellect, will, emotions and sensibilities.
Children deserve to see their parents excited about life, their faith and finding Jesus in every action. “Children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth” (1 Jn 3:18). Use the tools the Church gives us, such as sacred music, to educate children by using all of their senses to help guide them to sainthood.
