Sacred Music
The Latest
Sacred music is good for the brain as well as the soul, neuroscientist says
Scientific research shows that he who sings, performs, or listens to music also enriches and strengthens his brain, according to... Read more
‘My songs will be sung in churches’: A Bangladeshi sister’s living legacy
Sister Amiya spent 42 years as a teacher and has been a passionate composer of sacred music. The Bangladeshi religious... Read more
Catholic music debate: Should certain hymns be banned?
Several hymns were temporarily banned last year in the Diocese of Jefferson City, Missouri, after being found to be “insufficient... Read more
National Shrine’s organ recital series showcases world-class musicians
Held on Sunday evenings throughout July and August, the series features performances on the National Shrine basilica’s renowned chancel and... Read more
Pope Leo XIV praises the beauty and harmony of polyphony
At an event sponsored by the Domenico Bartolucci Foundation, Pope Leo XIV said that polyphony is a musical form “full... Read more
Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music launches ‘Let’s Sing with the Pope’ video series
The Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music said this week it is launching its “Let’s Sing with the Pope” initiative. Read more
![“I have heard some great sermons throughout my life on truth and on goodness, [but] not enough on beauty yet,” says the celebrated Scottish composer Sir James MacMillan, shown here conducting The Catholic University of America Chamber Choir on April 9, 2025.](https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/storage/image/macmillan.april.2025.jpg?w=220&h=165)
Composer Sir James MacMillan speaks at CUA on beauty, music, and faith
During a visit to The Catholic University of America, renowned composer James MacMillan discussed how music “helps carry the prayers... Read more
Missouri diocese opens sacred music consultation process after hymn ‘bans’ rescinded
Bishop W. Shawn McKnight said the goal of the process is a new, permanent decree on sacred music, with the... Read more
‘Christ, the Savior, is here:’ 200 years of ‘Silent Night’ in its Austrian birthplace
More than 200 years later, the carol is sung in over 300 languages and was even praised by Pope Francis... Read more
Pope Francis calls on Vatican Christmas concert artists to promote peace, reconciliation
The pope emphasized the unique power of music to foster unity and communion, drawing parallels to the first Christmas. Read more
Diocese reverses hymn ban in favor of ‘synodal’ selection of sacred music
Bishop W. Shawn McKnight of the Diocese of Jefferson City, Missouri, had listed a dozen contemporary hymns to be “forbidden”... Read more
A major organ build in Virginia highlights the ‘multidisciplinary’ art of church organ-making
The Richmond cathedral’s search for a new organ eventually led it to the firm of Juget-Sinclair, whose build of the... Read more
Episcopal bishops oppose Catholic music group’s use of New York seminary
In a letter, the Episcopal bishops said they were “concerned by the lack of full acceptance of the LGBTQ stance”... Read more
University of Mary student choir celebrates Eucharistic Revival
Choir director Rebecca Raber hopes that through their recordings, the beauty of sacred music “will draw hearts to Christ in... Read more
Historic ‘Requiem for the Forgotten’ Mass to premiere in Miami
The Requiem by composer Frank La Rocca “is something that’s not been done in music history for centuries,” according to... Read more
Prizewinning National Eucharistic Revival hymns released for use in parishes
The sheet music for the official hymns of the upcoming National Eucharistic Revival was made available online last week. Read more
Meet the women who penned the official songs for the National Eucharistic Congress
Diane Mahoney and Kathleen Pluth have had their musical compositions chosen out of many entries as the official theme song... Read more
Benedictines in the U.S. return to organ building
Saint John’s Abbey Woodworking will join forces with Abbey Organ Builders to build organs and serve as a school for... Read more
Catholic churches are buying pre-owned pipe organs to enhance their liturgies
While in some parts of the country church organs are being removed, destroyed, or sold, in other places they are... Read more
‘Catholics Got Talent?’: Competition invites musicians to promote zeal for the Eucharist
The musical competition is one facet of the multiyear National Eucharistic Revival. Read more
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