The choir preparing for priestly ordinations in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls is not only a musical ensemble, but a representation of unity.
For Brother John Frain, L.C., a choir member and theology student, this event reflects the idea that priests are a gift not only to Regnum Christi, but to the whole Church. «The fact that we all come here to prepare Mass together reflects this reality that we have all received this gift from God,» he says. That they come together to sing also has a profound meaning: music as a vehicle that becomes an instrument to bring others to God.
Patricio Bringas, L.C., choir director and a few months away from being ordained deacon, also highlights this unity in diversity. Although who are ordained are legionaries, the whole Regnum Christi family rejoices in them. «It is a very beautiful thing that members of the different vocations can participate in the mass of priestly ordinations by singing in the choir.», says Br. Patricio, who has directed the choir for two years. For him, music at mass is not only meant to be a sound accompaniment, but should be a spiritually uplifting experience for those who listen to it.
Ceci Motta, consecrated of Regnum Christi and director of the ECYD of Rome, sees the choir as a representation of harmony in the spiritual family of Regnum Christi. «Harmony is built from many different sounds that meet and give life to something new and more beautiful.», he explains Ceci. She underlines how, through music, the different members of the community unite to offer God a common service, each one from his or her vocation. This moment is not only an act of singing, but a way of witnessing unity and beauty.
Preparation: a commitment of time and heart
Preparing the choir for priestly ordinations is an effort that involves months of rehearsal and dedication.
Br. John Frain says the group rehearses once a week, usually for an hour and a half to two hours, for a period of about two months before the event. «It's a worthwhile time commitment, because ordinations are a very important and beautiful time that we experience as a family,» says Br. John. For him, the effort has a purpose beyond the musical performance; it is a way to experience the ordinations event in a profound way. «Singing is part of our life tradition, so many of these songs we already know quite well, we just need to review and harmonize them with the group, and learn a few that are new,» he says.
While many of the songs are familiar to the choir members, there are others that are specific to the occasion and require more detailed preparation. Br. Patricio Bringas points out that while the ordination songs are usually familiar, the main challenge is in coordinating the voices and timing of all the choir members, who come from different communities (philosophy, theology and the consecrated). «What takes the most time is when we seek to unite the choir,» explains Br. Patricio.
Ceci, for her part, mentions that, as consecrated women, they usually have fewer rehearsals than the legionaries, but they still prepare with dedication. «This year, we will only have three rehearsals, but we will repeat songs that we had already prepared in previous years with more time,» she explains. Despite the difference in the number of rehearsals, Ceci emphasizes that the time they devote to singing is crucial to ensure that the music is a true means of prayer and accompaniment for the liturgy.
Music as a spiritual path
Music, more than just an adjunct to the liturgy, is seen by choir members as a way of drawing closer to God. Br. John Frain explains that each song has a purpose within the Mass. «Each song goes with what is happening at that moment,» he comments, referring to the songs of praise with which the Mass begins, the songs of anointing when oil is placed in the hands of the new priests, and the Eucharistic songs during communion, etc. Br. John is convinced that music must help those present to experience the Mass in a deeper way, contributing to a better understanding of what is happening in the ceremony.
H. 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 is not sung in the Mass, the Mass is sung,» he says. For him, the songs are not just decorative, but have a deep liturgical meaning, helping the participants to understand and live what is happening at that particular moment. Each song is designed to accompany a specific gesture or rite, making the music a vehicle for prayer and worship.
For Ceci, music is also a form of evangelization. «Music is a very important evangelization channel because it is a universal language, which reaches many people and attracts through the beauty of art,» she says. She believes that the beauty of music has a unique power to connect with people's hearts and lead them to a deeper encounter with God.
Challenges and expectations for the Choir
Preparing the choir is not without its challenges. Br. Patricio Bringas recognizes that coordinating so many people from different communities is complicated, since 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 is 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 that the music will help the new priests to live the mass in a deeper way and that the assistants can accompany them in their prayer in a more experiential way. «The challenge is that all the attendees can live this moment with much more spiritual fruit,» he adds.
Ceci also shares the hope that the singing can contribute to the spiritual experience of the attendees. She believes that, although the music may go unnoticed on certain occasions, the most important thing is that people focus on the essential: the mystery of ordination. «If it is so that we go unnoticed, it can also be a good sign because we are like that secondary accompaniment that helps to focus on the most essential thing: God,» she says.
Although it is well known, from the experience and comments of previous years, that the choir's songs hardly go unnoticed and those attending the Mass of priestly ordinations appreciate it.
Listen to one of the songs
The following video shows one of the songs during the priestly ordinations of 2024, accompanied by some testimonies and images that reflect the experience of the attendees.
(We invite you to turn up the volume)
