The Whip of Saint Peter Claver | The Devil Hates This Music | Music & Morality

About this sermon

Can music shape the soul—and even incline a person toward virtue or vice? In this sermon for the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, Father examines the spiritual and moral power of music. Beginning with Israel’s worship of the golden calf, he explains how disordered music accompanied idolatry, impurity, and rebellion. He then recounts the ancient tradition of the sons of Seth, who abandoned the holy mountain after being enticed by the music of Cain’s descendants. But music can also serve God. David’s harp drove the evil spirit from Saul; Gregorian chant is used in spiritual warfare; sacred music accompanied St. Catherine of Siena’s mystical espousal; and the Carmelite Martyrs of Compiègne sang hymns while approaching the guillotine. Drawing upon St. Isidore of Seville, Aristotle, Boethius, St. Peter Claver, St. John of the Cross, and Johann Sebastian Bach, Father contrasts ordered music—which elevates the mind and refreshes the soul—with music that inflames the passions and undermines virtue. “The end of all music should be the glory of God and the refreshment of the human spirit.” — Johann Sebastian Bach What is the music entering through our ears doing to our souls? 0:00 Israel’s golden calf and immoral music 1:37 The sons of Seth and the Cave of Treasures 3:42 The music of Cain’s descendants 4:44 Music’s profound spiritual influence 4:59 St. Peter Claver confronts immoral gatherings 5:42 David’s harp drives away the evil spirit 6:10 Gregorian chant and spiritual warfare 6:39 St. Catherine of Siena’s mystical marriage 8:00 The Carmelite Martyrs sing to the guillotine 8:29 St. John of the Cross and sacred hymns 8:47 Music’s effects upon plants, animals, and students 10:03 Boethius: Music can establish or destroy morality 11:03 Ordered music versus disordered music 12:28 St. Isidore of Seville on musical harmony 14:28 Aristotle: Music imitates the passions 15:55 Rhythm, the heartbeat, and syncopation 17:03 The spiritual dangers of modern music 18:50 Bach: Music should glorify God 20:05 Replacing bad music with chant and polyphony For more please visit http://reginaprophetarum.org & remember to say 3 Hail Marys for the priest 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 #CatholicSermon #GregorianChant #SacredMusic #SpiritualWarfare #CatholicTeaching #TraditionalCatholic #MusicAndMorality #SensusFidelium

Topics

• Spiritual Warfare