Mass of the Americas

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Click on the photo above, or visit the Benedict XVI Institute to hear eight selections from the recording of the world premiere of the Mass of the Americas by composer Frank La Rocca.
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"An historic Mass...": News and Commentary

"On December 8, San Francisco’s Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption celebrated a 'Mass of the Americas' especially commissioned to honor our Blessed Mother as both the Immaculate Conception and Our Lady of Guadalupe. EWTN broadcast this historic Mass live. 'The Mass of the Americas is a simultaneous tribute to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception (the patroness of the United States) and Our Lady of Guadalupe (the patroness of both Mexico and all the Americas),' wrote Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone ahead of the Mass...." READ the full article: "Honoring Mary in the 'Mass of the Americas," by Joseph Pronechen (National Catholic Register).

"In his homily, Archbishop Cordileone talked about Mary as an evangelizer and unifier. Her appearance at Tepeyac was the reason for the unity of all Mexican people in faith. In the appearance of the Virgin Mary, both the Mexican and Spanish peoples were able to recognize the mother of God. 'A new Christian people is formed from the two, a mestizo people; a new Christian civilization is born from the union brought about by her who is venerated as la Morenita and la Inmaculada. How blessed is Mexico, for truly God has not done this for any other nation!' the archbishop said....." READ the full article: "Queen of Mexico Draws Thousands to Cathedral," by Nicholas Wolfram Smith (Catholic San Francisco).

"It’s an extraordinarily ambitious work, mixing Latin polyphony and chant with traditional South and Central American music. The Mass incorporates a 16-voice mixed chorus, the organ, a string quartet, bells and marimba.... Indeed, that there’s such a thing as a new Mass setting...is a sign of hope: a reminder that tradition is something vital, even dynamic...." READ the full article: "A Trimphant Premiere for a New Mass Setting," by Michael Warren Davis (Catholic Herald, U.K.).

"If the aim of the Mass is to demonstrate the way Mary unifies all God’s children, what happens at the end of the Mass of the Americas is nothing short of a miracle. The Advent season’s recessional is Alma Redemptoris Mater. At the very end, as a punctuation to this grand Mass, Frank La Rocca added a short passage for organ and string quartet. After the choir completes the singing of the hymn, the organ continues ‘singing’ the Alma Redemptoris Mater. Then the strings begin La Guadalupana. And then for a brief glorious moment, they harmonize with each other: wonderfully, hauntingly, gorgeously...." READ the full article: "The Making of the Mass of the Americas" (Catholic Arts Today)
Mass of the Americas EWTN broadcast
Mass of the Americas (in Spanish)
Archbishop Cordileone's Homily

“He Has Not Done Thus for Any Other Nation”/“No Ha Hecho Nada Igual con Ningún Pueblo”
Text - English | Text - Spanish | Audio Recording
Interview on EWTN television
Conversation with Composer Frank La Rocca
Visit the Benedict XVI Institute

The Benedict XVI Institute, an initiative of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, opens the door of beauty to God, both by providing practical resources for more beautiful liturgy and by energizing a Catholic culture of the arts.