Sistine Chapel Choir now part of Liturgical Celebrations
By Devin Watkins
With an Apostolic Letter issued motu proprio on Saturday, Pope Francis decreed that âthe Pontifical Musical Chorus of the Sistine Chapel should be inserted into the Office for the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiffâ.
He said the Office for Liturgical Celebrations holds âa specific place of service to papal liturgical functions and, at the same time, is a guardian and promoter of the prestigious artistic and musical heritage produced over the centuries by the Choir itself for the solemn liturgies of the Popes.â
The Pope writes that the Sistine Chapel Choir has always had âa direct connection with the major celebrations of the Popesâ.
Pope Francis said the decision was taken âbearing in mind the dictates of the Council concerning the Sacred Liturgyâ, in particular nn.28-29 of the Sacrosanctum Concilium.
Msgr. Guido Marini
In the motu proprio, Pope Francis also appointed the Master of Papal Ceremonies, Msgr. Guido Marini, as the Head of the Sistine Chapel Choir, âentrusting him with the task of guiding all activities, including the liturgical, pastoral, spiritual, artistic, and educational areas, of the Choirâ.
He tasked Msgr. Marini with âmaking ever more perceptible, in it and its individual components, the primary purpose of sacred music, which âis the glory of God and the sanctification of the faithfulâ (SC 112).â
Archbishop Guido Pozzo
Finally, Pope Francis appointed Archbishop Guido Pozzo as the Superintendent of the Economy (or Treasurer) of the Pontifical Musical Chorus of the Sistine Chapel.
Archbishop Pozzo previously served as Secretary of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, which Pope Francis suppressed on Saturday.
The Pope entrusted him âonly with the task of caring for the economic administration of the Choir itself, to be carried out under the guidance of the Master of Ceremonies and Head of the Pontifical Musical Chorus.â
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