杏MAP导航 to Choirs: 鈥楬elp community sing, don't replace its voice'
By Devin Watkins
鈥淵ou have awoken the Vatican!鈥�
With those joyful words, 杏MAP导航 Francis expressed his appreciation for the musical art shown by participants in the 3rd International Meeting of Choirs, during a Saturday audience in the Paul VI Hall.
鈥淵our music and song are truly an instrument of evangelization to the extent that you bear witness to the depth of the Word of God, which touches people鈥檚 hearts, and to the extent that you assist in the celebration of the Sacraments, in particular the Holy Eucharist, allowing us to perceive the beauty of Paradise.鈥�
Some 7,000 musicians and singers are participating in the Meeting of Choirs, a three-day event organized by the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization.
Liturgical animators
The 杏MAP导航 encouraged the choristers to continue giving voice to the emotions that lie at the heart of the Church community.
鈥淢usic and song can often make certain moments unique in a person鈥檚 life, because they become a precious memory that has marked their lives.鈥�
杏MAP导航 Francis warned choirs against the temptation of letting their talent outshine the Church community, discouraging the people in the pews from actively participating during Mass.
鈥淵ou are the musical animators of the whole congregation. Don鈥檛 take its place, depriving the people of God of the chance to sing with you and bear witness to the Church鈥檚 communal prayer.鈥�
The Holy Father commended the choral singers for studying ways to 鈥減romote prayer in liturgical celebrations.鈥�
Popular piety
杏MAP导航 Francis also invited them to give space to more popular forms of religious expression. 鈥淔easts of patron saints, processions, dances, and the religious songs of our peoples are themselves a real heritage of religiosity that is worth appreciating and supporting, because they are nonetheless an action of the Holy Spirit at the heart of the Church.鈥�
Finally, 杏MAP导航 Francis said music should act as an instrument for promoting unity. He said music can help 鈥渕ake the Gospel efficacious in today鈥檚 world, through a beauty that still captivates and makes it possible to believe, entrusting ourselves to the love of the Father.鈥�
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