VESPERS IN THE SISTINE CHAPEL

Friday 8 November 2019 
Vatican City, Rome

                        

The academic presentations continued on Friday but this evening a very special event was scheduled: Vespers sung by the Sistine Choir in the Sistine Chapel. Let that sink in for a minute. We were in the sacred space where the College of Cardinals gather in conclave to elect a new Pope; the same sacred space whose walls and ceilings were ornately painted by Michelangelo with the iconic images of the Creation, the Life of Christ, and the Last Judgment. This very chapel is one of the great artistic masterpieces in the history of civilization. And we delegates of the Third International Conference of the Pontifical Council for Culture would celebrate Solemn Vespers here! 

Anyone who has been to Rome knows that photography is not allowed in the Sistine Chapel. In fact, when I last visited in 2013, a young man was brusquely removed by the Vatican guards when he dared to defy the No Photos ban. Yet tonight, here we were, happily snapping away on our smartphone cameras as we took our seats. How did we rate this rare privilege? We were certainly grateful. 

Before I go on, please allow me a quick explanation for casual readers of my blog. Vespers is Evening Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours, the Catholic Church’s official daily prayer that is celebrated by priests and sisters, religious communities and seminaries, and lay people who desire to pray with the Church. The Liturgy of the Hours utilizes a different format than the Mass. In fact, the Eucharist isn’t even involved with the Hours, which designates prayer at certain times of the day: Morning (Lauds), Daytime Prayer, Evening (Vespers), and Night (Compline). There is also an Office of Readings (formerly Matins) that can be prayed at any hour of the day and focuses on readings from the Bible and the writings of the ancient Church Fathers. The idea of the Liturgy of the Hours is to make each day holy. Those who pray the Hours are obliged to pray for the Church, which means that at every hour of the day, someone in the world is praying for YOU. 

The Psalms are the primary prayer of each hour. For Vespers, we pray two psalms and a hymn or canticle from the New Testament, followed by a brief biblical reading and reflection, Mary’s Magnificat, and Intercessions. Vespers concludes with the Lord’s Prayer. Liturgy of the Hours is normally recited if prayed individually or in a small group. A religious community might choose to sing portions of the hour. Since our celebration of Vespers was in the Sistine Chapel, everything would be sung. We were in the Vatican, after all, and the people would alternate the singing of the chants and hymns with the renowned Sistine Choir. 

Solemn Vespers are presided by a priest, and our presider tonight was Monsignor Guido Marini. I admit I did not give much notice to that name when I saw it on the cover of the printed worship aid. But when we stood in the assembly to begin the liturgy, I was pleasantly shocked to see that our presider was none other than Pope Francis’ Master of Ceremonies for all major papal liturgies in Rome and around the world. Oh, THAT Monsignor Marini. Wow! 

And so we began this amazing celebration of Vespers. “Deus, in adiutorium meum intende,” (God, come to my assistance) Monsignor Marini intoned. “Domine, ad adiuvandum me festina,” (Lord, make haste to help me) we responded. This celebration was bilingual, alternating between Latin and Italian. The psalms and New Testament canticle were a melodious dialogue between people and choir, whose harmonies previewed heaven. After the reading from James 1:2-4, Monsignor Marini shared a brief homily. I could not understand his Italian but his warm tone and heartfelt delivery spoke volumes. My knowledge of Latin helped me discern an emerging theme: love, faith, and the call to holiness through our ministry. 

All too quickly, Vespers was over. But the Sistine Choir, who had been hidden in a choir loft, suddenly walked down the aisle. To our delight, the Choir was going to treat us to a post-liturgy concert from the sanctuary steps. They were dressed in traditional red cassock and white surplice, and I was surprised to see that their number included two rows of boys. That explained the high notes we heard from the loft. As they sang through their choral revue, my heart was filled with gratitude. 

Seeing those kids reminded me of how I used to sing in the CCD Children’s Choir at my home parish when I was their age and the Mass was still in Latin. I teared up emotionally when I realized that the Church has always been there for me and my family ever since I was a young child. Sure, I’ve had my ups and downs over the years with the Church, which certainly has had to deal with its own faults and imperfections. But my relationship with Jesus Christ has been a constant positive force in my life, nurtured consistently by the ministry of the Catholic Church. As I sat in the breathtaking Sistine Chapel, soaking in the soaring choral music here at the worldwide headquarters of this ancient Church, I could only pray, “Deo, Gratias.” 

The concert over, we all reverted into tourists, posing for selfies and group shots in front of Michelangelo’s magnificent frescoes. After all, when would we ever have this opportunity again? And then Virgil Funk tapped me on the shoulder and said, “Let me take a photo of you and Monsignor Marini.” I turned and noticed that I was standing just a few feet away from him in the sanctuary. Virgil snapped several photos as he introduced me. 

“This is Ken Canedo, an American liturgical composer from Portland, Oregon.” I smiled and shook Monsignor’s hand. 

“It’s an honor to meet you, Monsignor. Thank you for your homily and for the beautiful Vespers.” 

He smiled back and said gently, “God bless your good work.” 

Next blog: Meeting Pope Francis