Rediscover and celebrate a foundation of our Catholic culture

By Aurelio Porfiri

Anyone involved in the field of Catholic sacred music knows well that Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525–1594) is considered the “master of masters,” a fundamental reference point for liturgical singing. This year, we celebrate the 500th anniversary of his birth.

Countless composers have drawn inspiration from him, and even today, he holds a place of primary importance in the Church’s musical tradition.

Unfortunately, in recent decades, his compositions—like those of many others—have largely disappeared from our churches under the pretext of a “liturgical reform” that took a different path from what was indicated by the Second Vatican Council (for more, I recommend reading When the Harps Went Still).

This is why it is important to know Palestrina better—not only for musicians but for all who care about our Catholic identity. Today, it is easy to listen to many of his compositions online.

We must return to these great masters like Palestrina, recognized by Popes as a model of the great “Roman school,” venerated alongside Gregorian chant.

If you know Michelangelo, Caravaggio, Raphael, Piero della Francesca, Donatello, Bramante, Dante Alighieri, or Chesterton, you cannot fail to know this giant of Catholic art as well.

He was a man who suffered greatly, yet managed to preserve a profound faith.

Let us return to celebrating these great figures and rediscover the foundations of our Catholic culture!

Maestro Aurelio Porfiri is a composer, conductor, master organist, writer and educator in Rome. His blog on music, Cantus, is available on Substack, and his latest book, The Right Hand of the Lord Is Exalted: A History of Catholic Traditionalism from Vatican II to Traditionis Custodes, is now available from Sophia Institute Press.