Music, more than a simple complement to the liturgy, is seen by choir members as a way of drawing closer to God and must help those present experience the Mass in a deeper way.
The choir preparing for priestly ordinations at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls is not just a musical ensemble, but a representation of unity.
For Brother John Frain, LC, from Atlanta, Georgia, a choir member and theology student, this event reflects the idea that priests are a gift not only to Regnum Christi, but to the entire Church. “The fact that we all come here to prepare for Mass together reflects the reality that we have all received this gift from God,” he comments. Their joining together to sing also has a profound meaning: music as an instrument to lead others to God.
Deacon Patricio Bringas, LC, the choir director who was ordained a deacon just a few months ago, also emphasizes this unity in diversity. Although those being ordained are Legionaries, the entire Regnum Christi family rejoices in them. “It’s a beautiful thing that members of different vocations can participate in the Mass for priestly ordinations by singing in the choir, ” says Deacon Patricio, who has directed the choir for two years. For him, the music at Mass is not only meant to provide background music, but should be an experience that spiritually uplifts those who listen.
Ceci Motta, a Consecrated Woman and ECYD director in Rome, sees the choir as a representation of harmony within the Regnum Christi spiritual family. “Harmony is built from many different sounds that meet and give life to something new and more beautiful,” explains Ceci . She emphasizes how, through music, the various members of the Regnum Christi community come together to serve God together, each from their own vocation. This service is not just singing, but a way of witnessing to unity and beauty.
Deacon Patricio Bringas, LC, is the current director of the choir that sings at priestly ordinations in Rome.
Preparation: A Commitment of Time and Heart
Preparing the choir for priestly ordinations is an effort that involves months of rehearsal and dedication.
Brother John Frain comments that the group rehearses once a week, usually for an hour and a half to two hours, for a period of approximately two months before the event. “It’s a worthwhile time commitment, because ordinations are a very important and beautiful moment that we experience as a family,” says Brother John. For him, the effort has a purpose beyond the musical performance; it’s a way to experience the ordinations in a profound way. “Singing is part of our tradition, so we already know many of these songs quite well. We just need to review them and harmonize them with the group, and learn some new ones,” he comments.
Although many of the hymns are familiar to the choir members, others are specific to the occasion and require more detailed preparation. Deacon Patricio Bringas points out that, while the ordination hymns are often familiar, the main challenge lies in coordinating the voices and timing of all the choir members, who come from different communities (philosophy, theology, and consecrated women). “What takes the longest is when we try to unite the choir,” explains Brother Patricio.
Ceci, for her part, mentions that, as Consecrated Women, they tend to have fewer rehearsals than the legionaries, but they still prepare with dedication. “This year, we’ll only have three rehearsals, but we’ll rehearse songs that we had prepared in previous years a little more,” she explains. Despite the difference in the number of rehearsals, Ceci emphasizes that the time they dedicate to singing is crucial to ensuring that the music is a true means of prayer and accompaniment to the liturgy.
The choir is made up of Consecrated Women and Legionary brothers from the philosophy and theology communities.
Music as a spiritual path
Music, more than simply a complement to the liturgy, is seen by choir members as a way of drawing closer to God. Brother John Frain explains that each song has a purpose within the Mass. “Each song fits with what’s happening at that moment,” he comments, referring to the songs of praise that begin the Mass, the anointing songs when oil is placed on the hands of new priests, and the Eucharistic songs during Communion, etc. Brother John is convinced that music should help those present experience the Mass in a deeper way, contributing to a better understanding of what is happening.
Deacon Patricio Bringas also emphasizes that music is not an accessory to the liturgy, but an integral part of it. “Music is part of the liturgy. It’s not music sung at Mass, it’s the Mass that’s sung,” he asserts. For him, the songs are not merely decorative, but have a profound liturgical meaning, helping participants understand and experience what is happening at that specific moment. Each song is designed to accompany a specific gesture or rite, which makes music a vehicle for prayer and worship.
For Ceci, music is also a form of evangelization. “Music is a very important channel of evangelization because it is a universal language that reaches many people and attracts them through the beauty of art,” she comments. She believes the beauty of music has a unique power to connect with people’s hearts and guide them toward a deeper encounter with God.
Photo: Regnum Christi International
Challenges and Expectations for the Choir
Preparing the choir is not without its challenges. Deacon Patricio acknowledges that coordinating so many people from different communities is complicated, as each group has different schedules and responsibilities. “There are four communities with different commitments that have to be coordinated at the same time, and that’s not easy,” he explains.
Despite the inconveniences, Brother Patricio has clear expectations for this year: “We hope that our singing will be, above all, to give glory to God.” His goal is for the music to help the new priests experience the Mass more deeply and for those attending to be able to accompany them in their prayer in a more experiential way. “The challenge is for all those attending to experience this moment with much greater spiritual fruit,” he adds.
Ceci also shares the hope that singing can contribute to the spiritual experience of those attending. She believes that, although the music may go unnoticed at times, the most important thing is that people focus on what is essential: the mystery of ordination. “If we go unnoticed, that can also be a good sign because we are like that secondary accompaniment that helps us focus on what is most essential: God,” she says. Although it is well known, based on experience and comments from previous years, that the choir’s songs rarely go unnoticed, and those attending the ordination Mass appreciate it.
Listen to one of the songs
The following video features one of the hymns sung during the priestly ordinations
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