I have just returned from a week singing under the California sun. Not favourite lyrics from the Beach Boys though, but Gregorian chant and Renaissance motets. Along with 74 other choristers, choir directors and organists who attended a Sacred Music Symposium hosted by St. John the Baptist Parish in Orange County, I return to my home parish eager to put into practice what I have learned.

Lawrence Harris has a renewed vision of service forged and refined in the fire of COVID-19 that raged across the world for nearly three years.

WASHINGTON -- When Catholics return to their churches as coronavirus-induced lockdowns ease up, they're not likely to be confronted with a bunch of unfamiliar words in Latin printed in some medieval-era typeface with notes in the shape of squares rather than ovals.

FRIBOURG, Switzerland -- Dominican Brothers Stefan Ansinger and Alexandre Frezzato are teaching people to sing 800-year-old Gregorian chant through free weekly lessons on their YouTube channel called OPChant.

In a vast sanctuary filled with kneeling Catholics, the light catches on a single ivory veil, draped over the head of a young woman in prayer.

TORONTO – On a busy downtown street in Toronto, a lofting melody carries out from a Solemn High Mass at St. Patrick’s parish.