Many people associate music exclusively with entertainment, but its purpose extends far beyond that. As Catholics, we recognize that supporting sacred music, including through the facilitation of concerts, is part of the Church’s apostolic mission. Music is one of the most powerful forms of communication between the human creature and its loving Creator. In a more specifically Christian context, music is one of the channels through which God draws us closer to Himself by His grace. The Church has long acknowledged its unique ability to inspire, elevate, heal, and strengthen the proclamation of the Gospel, both in liturgical settings and beyond.
Jesus Himself reminds us of the sacredness of the church space: “My house shall be a house of prayer” (Luke 19:46). Yet, how often do we forget that when we enter a church, we step into sacred space, that we step into God’s house? The right music can set the tone, reminding us that we are, in fact, in a sacred place. Sacred music concerts serve the spiritual needs of those seeking silence, prayer, peace of soul, beauty, and the light of faith. They can also function as devotional exercises, incorporating readings, prayers, religious poetry, or moments of silence to encourage personal reflection and meditation.
Sacred music carries its message in a way that transcends rigid boundaries of ideology and belief, opening hearts to spiritual values even in those distant from the Church. There are numerous accounts of conversions and profound changes of heart sparked by a single encounter with a great masterpiece of sacred music. Given sacred music’s ability to rekindle faith, we must also recognize that encountering masterful compositions in a sacred space can be a transformative experience, particularly for young people searching for meaning in their lives.
Moreover, sacred music is a testimony to the ardent faith of its composers. As the Vatican stated in its 1988 document on sacred music concerts in churches: “Devotion has truly produced masterpieces and inspired the greatest geniuses of music, enriching humanity with an artistic patrimony that cannot be ignored.”
Ultimately, sacred music of the highest inspiration and artistic merit grants access to eternity, evoking divine realities that endure beyond the passing of time. As Christ Himself said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away” (Matthew 24:35). Such compositions serve as gateways to a spiritual realm where the faith of generations, ordinary people, martyrs, and saints, unite in a single act of praise to God.
The Second Vatican Council’s Sacrosanctum Concilium describes sacred music as “a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art” (Sacrosanctum Concilium, 20). This brings to mind Christ’s parable of the hidden treasure in Matthew 13:44. In it, Jesus tells His disciples that a man, upon discovering a buried treasure, “goes and sells all that he has and buys that field” to claim it. This parable teaches us two things: first, that true treasure is often hidden, even buried; second, and more importantly, that once we recognize its value, we must be willing to make sacrifices to attain it. Sacred music is such a treasure. It is our privilege and responsibility to cultivate it—not only for ourselves but for all who seek beauty, truth, and the presence of God.
Andrzej Zahorski is Director of Music at St. Anselm Parish in St. Louis, MO. He holds a doctorate of musical arts from Stanford University.