Sacred
Music
at the Shrine
Our music program and its particulars.
Cantare amantis est.
(Singing belongs to one who loves.)
—Saint Augustine
The music program is an integral aspect of liturgical life at the Shrine. Saint Alphonsus, a hymn-writer himself, is both a model and inspiration for us – his words and his life remind us of the deep connection between beautiful music and reverent worship.
As an apostolate of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter, the Shrine is dedicated to the celebration of the Mass in its Extraordinary Form and, as such, we seek to clothe the Holy Mass with the Church’s extraordinarly rich treasury of sacred music. The long tradition of Gregorian chant and sacred polyphony bequeathed to us, like the other traditions we have inherited, is an important aid in ordering our souls toward God.
Scroll down the page to find out more about our choir, our music schedule in coming months, and the liturgical music planned for upcoming feasts.
High Mass on Sundays
Each Sunday, a Cantor sings selections from a repertoire of Baroque and Classical motets for solo voice and continuo organ as well as the Gregorian Propers for the Mass and its Ordinary settings.
High Mass on Special Feast Days
The Feasts of Christ the King and Pentecost Sunday feature an orchestral setting of the Mass performed by professional string players and singers. For All Souls Day, Rorate, Christmas Midnight Mass, and Easter Vigil, a professional quartet of singers performs a Renaissance-style, a capella Mass setting.
Sponsor the Music
for an upcoming Feast
Christ the King
27 October
Professional vocal quartet to perform Hans Leo Hassler’s Missa Secunda and motets by Palestrina, Martin Baker, and Bruckner.
Cost: $ 880
May God bless our donor’s generosity.
All Souls Day
2 November
Professional vocal quartet to perform Claudio Casciolini’s Missa pro Defunctis and a motet by Palestrina
Cost: $ 880
May God bless our donors’ generosity.
Rorate Mass
14 December
Professional vocal octet to perform Francisco Guerrero’s Missa Beata Mater and a prelude and motets by Biebl, Poulenc, Ola Gjeilo, and Palestrina.
Cost: $ 1,760
May God bless our donor’s generosity.
Christmas Midnight Mass
25 December
Professional vocal octet to perform George Malcom’s Missa ad Praesepe and motets by Michael Praetorius and Morten Lauridsen.
Cost: $ 2,000
May God bless our donors’ generosity.
Parish choir
The Shrine’s choir is an ensemble comprised of volunteer parishioners who rehearse weekly and sing for one High Mass each month, including Christmas Day and Easter Sunday. There is a short audition with the music director for admittance to the choir. However, we accept singers of all skill levels. for more information.
Music Lists
Download a copy of any month’s list of music as programmed at the Shrine.
