GREGORIAN CHANT

The use of singing is very great in Churches. It stirs up the mind with a certain pleasure unto an ardent desire for that which is celebrated in the song; it appeases the desires and affections of the flesh; it drives away the evil thoughts of our enemies that are invisible and secretly arise; it makes the mind rigorous and apt to bring forth holy and divine fruits; it makes the generous contenders in piety valiant and strong in adversity; and it brings a medicine and remedy to all the evil accidents in our life. St. Paul, in his spiritual armoury, calls this, "the sword of the Spirit"; for it is all of it the Word of God, which is celebrated in the mind, in the song, and in the verse; it drives away evil spirits and the pious mind is, by the songs of the Church, perfected in virtue.

St. Justin Martyr

(01-01-03)