Gaudeamus: Celebrating 800 Years of Dominican Life

Catholic music is a broad umbrella for musical traditions created for, inspired by, or commonly used in the liturgy and devotional life of the Roman Catholic Church. It ranges from ancient chant-based repertories (especially Gregorian chant) to polyphonic Masses and motets, to hymnody and modern congregational praise, and to contemporary devotional pop and rock. Its defining traits are functional use (Mass, Liturgy of the Hours, processions, sacraments, feasts), sacred texts (Latin and vernacular), and a sonic aesthetic that aims at reverence, prayer, and communal worship rather than entertainment.