In the Gothic chapel of St John’s, Australia’s oldest Roman Catholic University College, a crowd of young adults spent the evening listening to a little heavenly music.
The 30 October Fidelis event, organised by Sydney Catholic Youth, was a transcendent experience, opening the hearts and minds of everyone in attendance.
“We invited people to experience the rich tradition of the church through sacred music,” said Julian Vieira, youth officer and organiser with Sydney Catholic Youth.
A choir of 10 young adults was led by Ronan Reilly, the music director of Jubilate Deo Sacred Music Program, a Catholic initiative that teaches Gregorian chant to students in the Archdiocese of Sydney.
“Since I joined the Cathedral choir 22 years ago, I have been in awe of these amazing sounds,” said Ronan. “It’s a very special thing being able to bring these prayers to life and introduce young people to the sacred music of the Universal Church.”
Auxiliary Bishop Richard Umbers was invited along to lead adoration, while almost 150 young Catholics in the audience were encouraged to join with the choir in singing the Compline, also known as Night Prayer.
“I would describe the music as otherworldly or angelic and it brings us closer to God,” said Annuncia Sinisa from the Tongan Chaplaincy in Belmore. “Even if you don’t understand Latin, you can just drift away and allow the angels and God to speak to you,” she said.
Chorister, 19-year-old Sophie Barber had been rehearsing for the event, every week since July.
“Ronan has been teaching us and trying to encourage the revival of sacred music in the Church to emphasise why beauty is so important in drawing our hearts to God,” she said. “Young people nowadays are starved for beauty and transcendence.”
Jarred Dominish, a young Latin Scholar from Sydney agrees.
“Tonight is about being able to find the essence of what it means to be Catholic, what it means to be steeped in tradition and faith to such an extent where you find yourself in Christ as well,” he said.
Auxiliary Bishop Richard Umbers called sacred music a “treasure trove of the faith” and said the experience is invaluable for the young.
“What matters is that we are filled with the spirit and that we are able to praise God in ways in which, the heart is lifted, and the mind is also then elevated to the Lord,” he said.
Following the adoration and the singing of the Compline, Ronan gave a key talk on the rich history of religious chants and texts within the Catholic faith. He spoke of the monophonic chants and their unique place in the Church’s liturgical history, which spanned from the temples of Jesus’ time to today.
A question-and-answer session followed, with answers provided by a panel comprising Ronan, Bishop Richard and Dr Marius Biliniewicz, Director of the Liturgy Office in the Archdiocese of Sydney.
As the evening ended and the crowd made their way silently down the grand staircase of St John’s, many were so moved and overwhelmed, they were left speechless.
“Being left speechless is a common response,” Ronan said. “It makes me happy, because it means you can listen to God.”
