The Polyphonic Style: The Catholic Church's Other Great Gift to Western Music Artwork

Mystagogy

In a tradition that dates back to the first centuries of Christianity, many newly initiated Christians were prepared for lives of faith through a formation with spiritual, liturgical, and communitarian dimensions. This period of formation was called mystagogy, a word which, in Greek, means "leading through the mysteries." Our program of mystagogy will have four primary goals: 1) To break open Magisterial teaching on the lay state (selections from Vatican II as well as letters/encyclicals from recent popes) as well as classic spiritual texts to build a thoughtful, practical devotional life; 2) To introduce the various spiritual charisms in the Church (i.e. Dominican, Carmelite, Franciscan, Salesian, etc.) so that they may develop a personal program of spirituality rooted in the uniquely Catholic legacy; 3) To deepen the prayer life through study, communal prayer, the practice of meditation, Mass, and the Liturgy of the Hours; and 4) To establish a fully Catholic life and mission, including a formation in the art of the Church, the corporal and spiritual works of mercy, and the commitment to a specific personal work of service.

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Mystagogy

The Polyphonic Style: The Catholic Church's Other Great Gift to Western Music

January 24, 2023 • Dr. Cynthia Nicolosi, PhD. • Season 2 • Episode 7

Today's episode is a presentation on Polyphony as a development from the tradition of Gregorian chant.

Our guest presenter is Dr. Cynthia Nicolosi. Dr. Nicolosi has a PhD in philosophy from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome, Italy. She studied music composition for two years at the Claremont Graduate School in California and completed the certificate program in Gregorian Chant at Catholic University in Washington, DC. After directing the college choir at Magdalen College in Warner, NH for seven years, Dr. Nicolosi now teaches music history and honors courses at Regent University.

The music in the introduction and close of this podcast is provided by George Sarah.

This program of mystagogy is hosted by the Adult Faith Programs at Saint Stephen Martyr Church in Chesapeake, Virginia.

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Intro:

Hello and welcome to the Mystagogy podcast, offered as part of the Adult Faith Programs at Saint Stephen Martyr Church in Chesapeake, VA.

In a tradition dating back to the earliest centuries of Christianity, newly initiated believers were prepared for ongoing lives of faith through mystagogy, a period of formation designed to deepen their spiritual, liturgical and community life. Mystagogy is a Greek word which means "leading through the mysteries."

This program has been developed by Barbara Nicolosi Harrington, a university professor of screenwriting, cinema, Great Books and theology.

Today's episode is a presentation on Polyphony as a development from the tradition of Gregorian chant.

Outro:

Thanks for joining us for this episode of the Mystagogy podcast.

The music for the podcast is provided by George Sarah. You can learn more about George and his music via a link in the show notes.

Until next time, be well and God bless.

People on this episode

Barbara Nicolosi Harrington

Host