Events
Except when otherwise indicated, Gregorian Chant propers and ordinaries of the Mass are sung every Sunday at the 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. according to the 2002 Missale Romanum, and the 12:30 p.m. according to the 1962 Missale Romanum. Music is sung by the parish choirs and in Latin unless otherwise noted.
This year we are celebrating both the 500th anniversary of Palestrina’s birth, and the 340th anniversary of Bach’s birth. To showcase the magnificent works of these two extraordinary musicians we will be featuring their works in our liturgies throughout the coming year. See the schedules listed below.
Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina
Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (†1594) is far more than just another composer. With his unmatched artistry, classical polyphony – seamlessly integrated with Gregorian chant, the supreme model of sacred music – reached its zenith of perfection. For this reason, Palestrina, remembered as the “Prince of Music” (as the inscription on his tomb in St. Peter’s Basilica reads, cf. F. M. Torrigio, Le sacre grotte vaticane, Rome 1635, p. 166), deserves to resonate in the Church’s most solemn celebrations.
His works do not require specific anniversaries or celebrations to be performed. At St. John Cantius Church in Chicago, his music is a cornerstone of our liturgical life, elevating our celebrations to the highest levels of solemnity. This is not merely a personal appreciation, but a truth underscored by the fact that Palestrina is the composer most frequently cited in the Papal Magisterium on sacred music.
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Our 2024/2025 music season opened with several occasions where Palestrina’s compositions took center stage.
Monday, September 30, 2024, Blue Mass
During the Blue Mass at 7:30 PM, masterpieces such as Sicut cervus and Super flumina Babylonis enriched the Offertory and Communion. The Missa Æterna Christi munera graced the entire liturgy with its sublime harmony.
December 15, 2024, Gaudete Sunday
Gaudete Sunday, brought the joy of the Advent season to life. At both the 11:00 AM and 12:30 PM Masses, the elegance of Palestrina’s Missa brevis filled the church with a radiant anticipation of Christmas.
February 2, 2025, The Presentation of the Lord (Candlemas)
The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, featured one of Palestrina’s greatest works: the majestic Missa Papæ Marcelli. This masterpiece, celebrated for its intricate balance and heavenly clarity, is a symbol of his genius.
March 30, 2025, Laetare Sunday
On Laetare Sunday at both the 11:00 AM and 12:30 PM Masses, the Offertory will include Ad te levavi oculos meos, a meditative gem that invites the faithful to reflect on God’s many graces in our lives.
April 18, 2025, Good Friday
at 3:00 PM, the solemnity of the Adoration of the Cross will be deeply enriched by the emotional power of the Improperia (Populemeus), a striking double-choir composition that speaks to the heart of the Paschal Mystery.
And this is not the end. As we move into the 2025/2026 season, starting with the Feast of the Assumption on August 15, 2025, Palestrina’s music will remain an integral part of our celebrations. His timeless harmonies continue to guide us, lifting our hearts and minds toward the divine.
Join us in cherishing the profound beauty of Palestrina’s sacred works—a treasure of the Church and a gift to all who seek to draw closer to God through music.
Massimo Scapin
Johann Sebastian Bach Sundays
To celebrate Johann Sebastian Bach’s 340th Anniversary, Dr. C. Cavalli will perform Preludes, Toccatas, Fantasias, and Fugues by the Leipzig Kantor as preludes and post during Sunday Masses at St. John Cantius Church in Chicago.
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January 19
Fantasia & Fugue in A - BWV 904
January 26
Prelude & Fugue in A - BWV 536
February 9
Prelude & Fugue in E - BWV 533
February 23
Toccata & Fugue in D Dorian - BWV 538
March 30 11:00am
Prelude & Fugue in B - BWV 544
March 30 12:30am
Passacaglia & Fugue in C - BWV 582
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April 27
Toccata & Fugue in F - BWV 540
May 4
Tocatta, Adagio, & Fugue in C - BWV 564
May 18
Prelude & Fugue in G - BWV 541
May 25
CONCERT Bach’s Toccatas & Fugues BWV 538, 540, 564, 565
ORDO MUSICES
in liturgicis celebrationibus
pro Anno Domini 2024–2025
