The world might have no more beautiful setting than the Sistine Chapel for a concert from the Chapel’s own choir — the Pope’s personal choir.
The Sistine Chapel Choir is generally seen by the public in St. Peter’s Basilica, but it sings at the Pope’s liturgies in other places as well.
It is one of the oldest choirs in the world, with roots going back all the way to Pope St. Sylvester I — a pope we’ve thought about more than usual this year, as he was the pope for the Council of Nicaea.
The Choir was officially established in the late 15th century.
Besides the beauty of the setting on December 3, and, of course, the music, there was the beauty of Pope Leo’s words of gratitude and reflection.
“It is not Christmas without songs,” the Pope said, adding another reflection on music to this season of Christmas, after he has spoken about music on a few other occasions in the last few weeks.
Everywhere in the world, in every language and nation, the Event of Bethlehem is celebrated with music and song. And it could not be otherwise, since the Gospel itself tells that when the Virgin gave birth to the Savior, the angels in heaven sang “Glory to God and peace on earth” (cf. Lk 2:13-14).
Who were the the spectators and witnesses of that first “Christmas concert”?
They were – as we know – some shepherds from Bethlehem, who, after seeing the Infant in the manger, with Mary and Joseph, returned praising and thanking God (cf. Lk 2:20).
A little drummer boy? Or?
Continuing with this consideration of the shepherds, the Pope added a personal note: “I like to think that they did so while singing and perhaps playing some rudimentary flutes.”
But there is another place where heavenly music resounded on that holy night. A silent, intimate, very sensitive place: I refer naturally to the heart of Mary, the woman chosen by God to be the Mother of the Word incarnate.
Let us learn from her how to listen to the voice of the Lord in the silence, in order to follow faithfully the part he entrusts to us in the score of life.
ALBERTO PIZZOLI | ALBERTO PIZZOLI
A Christmas without lights and music …
Pope Leo also offered a poignant dedication of the concert: to the many children around the world who have none of the joys of the season:
Dear friends, I would like to dedicate this Concert to the children who, in so many parts of the world, lived this Christmas without lights, without music, without even the basic necessities for human dignity, and without peace.
May the Lord, to whom we have raised our songs of praise this evening, hear the silent cries of these little ones and, through the intercession of the Virgin Mother, grant justice and peace to the world.
Pope Leo is showing himself to be a big fan of music. Perhaps the most tender example of recent days was his dropping in to a primary school concert, or maybe the unforgettable sing-along with Michael Bublé: