Liturgy and Music at Notre-Dame de Paris

Heir to a long and prestigious liturgical and musical tradition, the cathedral is committed to preserving, maintaining, and nurturing this treasure received through the centuries.

Here, music is one with the architecture to resound the glory of God. More than anywhere else, it must manifest the identity of the Church. It serves the experience of faith. The diocesan members of Paris, the regulars of the cathedral, and the millions of visitors, “that great multitude that no one could count” (Revelation 7:9), must be able to perceive that the One who is celebrated here is the God who is both transcendent and immanent, the God of glory and majesty (Roman Canon).

Creating Resonance

The intuition and fervor of the 12th-century builders are transformed into notes to make this stone vessel resonate. The music is marked by its time and, in turn, marks its era. Just as the statuary freezes the expressions of prayer in time and offers an image of the mystical Church, and as the stained glass windows, illuminated by the sunlight, become the image of the heavenly city realized in the earthly city, music sets things in motion and creates resonance. It makes the place and the people vibrate together.

Enhancing the Understanding of the Liturgy

A cathedral is not just any church. As the seat of the bishop, it is the mother church of a diocese. The liturgy that the bishop celebrates there, with his priests and deacons, and with all his people, gives a perfect vision of what the Church is. Similarly, the music must be in perfect harmony with the rites. At Notre-Dame, as in other cathedrals, the presence of a rich and influential chapter of canons has ensured the presence of remarkable musicians throughout the ages. Today, thanks to the association Musique Sacrée at Notre-Dame de Paris, the Cathedral benefits from the contribution of professional musicians.

Serving the Experience of Faith

Between 1962 and 1965, the Second Vatican Council undertook a vast restoration of Catholic liturgy. The transition to the vernacular for readings and singing, while maintaining the primacy of Gregorian chant, was a significant change. At Notre-Dame, Monsignor Jehan Revert, then Master of the Chapel, managed this transition and offered the assembly musically viable melodies in such a vast space. During services, ancient and contemporary polyphonies, organ pieces and improvisations, congregational singing, and Gregorian chant still coexist.