GREGORIAN CHANT: SACRED OR SINISTER?

Most of us have heard it before.  That weird, ominous chanting in the Catholic Church, sometimes even found in movie scenes.  What kind of music is that?  Why does it sound so haunting?  Does the Catholic Church really use this chanting in its services?

Not only do they use this chanting during Mass, but according to the official Vatican document, the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, Solemnly promulgated by His Holiness Paul VI on December 4, 1963:

“The Church acknowledges Gregorian chant as specially suited to the Roman liturgy.” (Chapter VI, paragraph 116 – Emphasis added)

See here:

https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19631204_sacrosanctum-concilium_en.html

So, it is not only used in its services, it is the official music of the Roman Catholic liturgy.

An Interesting Story

Roman Catholic priest Pellegrino Ernetti (1925-1994) was a popular musician/musicologist and physicist in the Church.  He was also the most famous exorcist in Venice in his time.

It is reported that Ernetti went to the Electroacoustics Laboratory of the Catholic University in Milan with fellow priest Agostino Gemelli in 1952 to make a tape recording of Gregorian chants.  They were attempting to filter harmonics from these chants, but the tape recorder microphone kept malfunctioning.  In frustration, Gemelli looked skyward and asked help from his deceased father.  A voice from within the tape recorder answered, “Of course, I shall help you.  I’m always with you.”

It was heard by both of the priests and Gemelli was shocked when he recognized his father’s voice.  He just knew it was his father speaking to him, since the voice used Gemelli’s childhood nickname (which no one else around there could have known).  The two priests then went directly to the pope at that time (Pius XII) to report what happened, and the pope answered him that the recording was “scientific fact,” and that this discovery could be “a cornerstone for building scientific studies which will strengthen people’s faith in the hereafter.”

See these links for different accounts of the story:

https://teakrulos.com/tag/chronovisor/

This Time Traveling Catholic Priest used Music to Talk to the Dead - NewEarth Media

http://www.itmightbepossible.com/2019/10/17/this-time-travel-device-may-have-been-confiscated-by-the-vatican/

https://allaboutheaven.org/observations/father-pellegrino-maria-ernetti-and-father-agostino-gemelli-inadvertently-use-epv-023139/221

Troubling Theology

The pope’s encouragement appeared to have been the impetus for Ernetti to take this “scientific fact” and, with the help of other scientists, (allegedly) invent a sort of “time machine,” or “time viewer” – the Chronovisor. 

You can read the accounts for yourself, but the purpose of this article is not to determine the authenticity or the falsity of this invention.  My intention is to point out that these men were highly trained Catholic priests and they were dabbling in something sinister in the course of their studies of this Gregorian chant.  In this process, they began hearing (and communicating with) the dead by requesting and accepting the priest’s dead father’s “help.”  These priests and the pope should have known better, since Scripture is clear concerning the sin of necromancy and similar sins (Leviticus 19:26, 31; 20:6, 27; 2 Kings 21:6; Isaiah 8:19-22). 

For the record, Scripture is also clear about “the hereafter” (Revelation chapters 19-21), and the pope should encourage Catholics to search the Scriptures if they want to strengthen their faith in life after death, rather than encourage them to flirt with disaster through necromancy.  But maybe that’s expecting too much from a pope who is obligated to promote Catholic concepts.

Equally troubling is Ernetti’s role in this, being a popular exorcist who was allegedly trained to combat spiritual darkness.  Did this “religious expert” not recognize the danger in what the pope said?  But then again, the Catholic Church is fine with the idea of its members communicating with, and praying to, the dead.  But this is certainly not something to flirt with.

Concerning Ernetti’s Chronovisor, Professor of Theology and priest Francois Brune was one of the few people that Ernetti had spoken to about his secret invention.  And Brune was convinced that this invention tied into something called Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVP), declaring EVP to be “one of the most significant religious events of the century.”  Apparently, he was another priest who was oblivious to the Bible’s warnings.  Yet, Brune went on to write three books about this topic. 

Interestingly, Electronic Voice Phenomena is linked to parapsychology, which is the study of alleged psychic and other paranormal claims.  And this chain of events all started with Gregorian chant.

See this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUaGZ90AVog

Again, this is not something that true followers of Christ should be associated with.

Ties That Bind

Someone could say, “But this is just hearsay.  This whole Chronovisor story could all be based on a lie.”  Ok, so let’s assume that this was all fabricated and there never was any “time viewer.”  But that’s not the point.  Regardless, this whole Gregorian chant study still ties into the realm of necromancy.  It seems that Gregorian chant was the doorway to all this confusion and spiritual danger from the start. 

It is also interesting that this music is often used by Hollywood and the film industry, especially in horror movies!  Now, it is true that Hollywood has certainly been known to abuse their cinematic liberty at times, but their choice of Gregorian chant in some of these creepy, haunting films is no coincidence.  Hollywood knows scary music when they hear it!  In the movies, music is almost always used to “set the mood,” and choosing Gregorian chant for this is not an accident.  This music is often a setting for some dark themes.  According to one source:

“Some chants have become standard melodies for films, in particular, the ‘Dies irae’ from the Roman Catholic Mass for the Dead. The ‘Dies irae’ is, in fact, one of the most frequently heard chants in film, used in television theme songs, commercials, and even a Christmas film (It’s a Wonderful Life). Death, danger or the supernatural are invariably part of the story or visual situation where it is used.” (Plainchant in Motion Pictures: The "Dies irae" in Film Scores, by Linda Schubert, p. 207)

“Perhaps more importantly, the meanings that have been coded into the ‘Dies irae’ over the last two centuries are, as we shall see, not tranquil but dramatic, disturbing, and threatening.” (ibid., p. 208)

“However sinister its associations in popular usage, the ‘Dies irae’ retains this ‘simple’ quality as well—which may make it all the more disturbing. Simplicity is often associated with innocence and lack of care. The ‘Dies irae's’ associations with death make it anything but carefree, and its connection with demons and the supernatural do not permit innocence. Yet an eerie impression of simplicity remains. One can argue that an audience does not need to know anything about chant to be affected by a score and to appreciate a film. On the other hand, film composers are aware of the associations attached to the pre-existent music they use.” (ibid., p. 208 – Emphasis in original)

See this link:

https://www.utpjournals.press/doi/abs/10.3138/flor.15.011

So, to recap, this source is telling us that Gregorian chant, especially the tune from ‘Dies irae,’ is indeed used in many of Hollywood’s movies.  Topics like death and danger are “invariably” a part of the story, and rather than being tranquil, its message is dramatic, disturbing, threatening, and even sinister.  And furthermore, it often appears to have a “connection” with demons and the dark supernatural world.  Hollywood is indeed very aware of Gregorian chant’s influence.

Relaxing and Peaceful?

Some claim that Gregorian chant is supposed to be peaceful and it relieves stress and relaxes those who hear it, but I think it is a false peace.  Personally, something in me cringes when I hear this type of “music.”  To me, it’s haunting, sinister and downright creepy.  Nothing “cheery” or relaxing about it.   

Furthermore, there are many websites that incorporate Gregorian chant in their occult and/or eastern mysticism themes.  Apparently, they see something in Gregorian chant that links to their dark views.  This connection is interesting and should not be ignored.

Excuses

Someone could say, “But that’s exactly what the “Dies irae” is all about in the Catholic Church… death!  It is a tune that specifically relates to the Mass for the dead.  Of course it is going to be eerie!”

But isn’t a Catholic funeral about celebrating hope?  Isn’t the Catholic who dies almost always referred to as now being in Heaven, or at least Purgatory (which promises Heaven)?  If he was a faithful Catholic, why would you want this disturbing and ominous-sounding music to accompany his passage into eternity?  Shouldn’t it be more upbeat and encouraging?  Why use chanting which has a connection with the demonic if it is supposed to suggest one’s glorious journey into Heaven?  No, the general feeling doesn’t seem to be about the Christian’s victory in death, but rather an ominous, foreboding presence.  The music seems to be more about despair than eternal life in Heaven.

The Catholic might respond, “But the ‘Dies irae’ is not the only chant used in the Catholic Church.  There are plenty others that are uplifting.”

Yeah, and there are plenty other of these Gregorian chants that are often used in creepy and disturbing websites, as well.  It just seems to have too many ties with eastern mysticism and possibly the occult and other strange things, so I wouldn’t be bragging about it, much less make it “official” church music.

Conclusion

Music does indeed have a “power” behind it.  David would play the harp for King Saul, soothing him and chasing the demonic forces from him (1 Samuel 16:23).  On the other hand, we know that some forms of music can invite demonic forces.

Jesus said, “By their fruits ye shall know them” (Matthew 7:16-20).  So, how music affects a person, how it makes him behave, is a very good indicator of the source of any music. 

For many, Gregorian chant encourages them to stay in the Catholic Church.  That alone makes me seriously question the “goodness” of that type of music.  If the Catholic Church only played such music every once in a blue moon, that would be different.  But Gregorian chant is the official music in the Catholic liturgy.  That causes me great concern, since the very existence of this blog is to warn of the false teachings of this Church.  If something keeps you in the Catholic Church, then I would have to seriously question its validity and it would be a good reason to reject that something.

The Bible does not contain a list of all songs that are godly, nor a list of all those that are ungodly.  God expects us to use discernment in such endeavors.  Maybe one’s view of music is somewhat subjective, but biblical discernment goes a long way (Hebrews 5:12-14).  Just because Gregorian chant may have some spiritual words and phrases in it does not make it godly.

I would certainly encourage Catholics to immerse themselves in Scripture and learn to exercise discernment.  I think they would find that Gregorian chant is not the “sacred” music they think it is.

STRANGE BEDFELLOWS - CATHOLICS AND CHARISMATICS

Some things just don’t seem to mix – oil and water, good and evil, pain and pleasure, alcohol and a sharp mind, Batman and the Riddler, etc.  Another example is different types of churches… 

Two Churches

On the one hand, one might see a large, ornate church building with stained glass windows, filled with still, quiet members.  In the background can be heard somber (and often creepy) Gregorian chanting.  The church is highly ordered and ritualistic, with members sometimes repeating the words of the priest in typical monotone fashion.  They receive a short sermon from the priest and afterward they line up in orderly fashion to go up front to receive Communion.

On the other hand, in a church across town, one might find a radically different scene.  Here, it is anything but still and quiet.  There is the thunder of loud, repetitive music by a group on a stage, perhaps not unlike a rock concert.  After the music, many, if not most, of them are speaking in a strange language and praying with their hands raised.  Then there is a lengthy sermon, which often includes shouts of approval from the congregation during the sermon.  Often, there are also people getting a “touch from God,” creating obvious emotion in them, or they might be falling backward onto the floor, being “slain in the Spirit.” 

As one could possibly guess, the first group above is having a typical Catholic Mass, while the second group is typical of many Charismatic churches and events.

Two different churches that are miles apart in the way they operate.  These are two totally different expressions of faith, yet there seem to be certain members on either side who are drawn to certain elements from the other side.

Favor With Rome

In fact, the Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) has been acknowledged and supported (or at least received  positive mention) by Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis.

Many Catholics think that the Charismatic Movement is not only compatible with Catholicism, but it also helps to strengthen them in their Catholicism! 

According to Walter Martin’s Cult/Occultic Orthodox Christian Full Apologetic & Expositional Studies, (online) Cardinal Manning of Los Angeles is known to have said:

"Anyone who has become a genuine Charismatic, to my knowledge, has become a better Catholic” (Charismatic Renewal for Catholics, 1976, p. 48).

See here:

https://archive.org/stream/14WalterMartinHomosexualityAndChristianityPart14/Modern_Bible_Version_Hall_of_Shame_djvu.txt

“This then is the diagnosis of those involved in the CRM [Charismatic Renewal Movement]… In practical terms the benefits to the [Catholic] Church have already been immense in that thousands of lukewarm Catholics, have been released of their spiritual paralysis and have found new life and a deeper appreciation of their faith [i.e., Catholicism]… Unanimously, people report a greater appreciation of the sacraments, especially the Mass, as meaningful encounters with Christ, the Real Presence and the role of Mary.” John V. McHale, The Charismatic Renewal Movement, pp. 262-263, The Furrow, Volume 24, May 1973 (Emphasis added).

The following five quotes are all from Robert Hogan’s “Mary and the Catholic Charismatic Renewal” (online):

“Another man, Audrey Guillet, explained the effects of being baptized in the Spirit in his life: ‘Not only do I have a tremendous new interest in Scripture but also my childhood devotion to Mary has returned, with the daily recitation of the rosary with my parents.’” (p. 248 – Emphasis added)

“[George] Montague began by directly confronting the ecumenical tension.  He explained that the Pentecostal experience among Catholics has seemed to help in reviving Marian devotion. (p. 307 – Emphasis added)

“[Vincent M.] Walsh mentioned Lourdes and Fatima to help demonstrate that the Church has affirmed the legitimacy of healing ministry.  He also noted how involvement in CCR reawakens an appreciation of traditional practices such as the rosary.” (p. 254 – Emphasis added)

Hogan speaks of a book, Power in Penance, written by priest Michael Scanlon: “The book described how Scanlon’s experience in CCR helped him to realize, in a deeper way than he had known before his involvement in CCR, the power of God available for reconciling and bringing Christ’s healing to people through the Sacrament of Penance.” (p. 243 – Emphasis added)

Hogan also says of priest / author Simon Tugwell, “His only other citation on Mary was to say that involvement in CCR leads to an increased devotion to Mary in many cases.” (p. 255 – Emphasis added)

Red Flags?

Ok, so according to these quotes, the Charismatic Movement has helped many Catholics “become better Catholics,” increased their devotion to the Sacraments, the Mass, and the Real Presence,” “revived Marian devotion,” and has given them a “deeper appreciation” for the Sacrament of Penance and the rosary.

My (Protestant) Charismatic friends, does this not raise a red flag for you?  Does this not bother you in the least?  Are you not aware of the abundant errors of the Catholic Church?  Don’t you find it strange that your own “biblical” teachings and your “Holy Spirit manifestations” are causing Catholics to be “more Catholic”?  Where is the discernment?  This “spirit” which you both embrace is not the Holy Spirit of Scripture, but another spirit (2 Corinthians 11:4).  We also suspect that the Catholic Church is taking full advantage of this opportunity to push the Ecumenical Movement, as well.  They want to join with their “separated brethren” in a one-world church (Revelation 13:8, 16-17).

Charismatic Issues

As most of our regular readers already well know, I have strong issues concerning many of the Catholic Church’s teachings.  That’s why this blog was created.  But I also have some serious issues with Protestant Charismatic groups, as well, at least with some of them.  In fact, I just recently started a brand new blog on this very topic to deal with those issues that I believe to be unscriptural in the Charismatic Movement.  The new blog can be found here:

https://answeringcharismaticabuses.blogspot.com/

But I want to be clear that I am not against all Charismatic churches, since they don’t all teach the same things, or all operate in the same way.  But it is obvious that both the Catholic Church and the Charismatic churches (in general) have some truth and some hazards.

Conclusion

This article is intended to be more of a rebuke toward Charismatics, rather than toward Catholics.  The abuses in this group are a growing problem.  Not only are these harmful doctrines and activities overflowing into the Catholic Church, but America seems to be exporting these same corruptions to many other nations.  In the Catholic Church alone, there were over 160 million members in 2013:  

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Charismatic_Renewal

No doubt, that number is greater today.  So, with its growing influence in mind, the Charismatic Movement, as a whole, has some serious issues, which include encouraging and solidifying the errors of the Catholic Church.

This relationship between these strange bedfellows is not good news.  In this union, they are not helping themselves, each other, or the church of Jesus Christ, in general.  So, Houston, we have a problem… and the problem is not just the Catholic Church.