It’s been a big year for the Catholic Church. Since the opening of the Jubilee Year of Hope by Pope Francis, nearly every vocation and ministry has had its own event, including the upcoming Jubilee of Choirs held on the 22-23 November 2025.
It’s a celebration for choirs and sacred music enthusiasts to encourage unity, provide spiritual enrichment, and express faith through music.
At the 3rd International Meeting of Choirs in 2018, Pope Francis said that music should serve as a means of fostering unity. He said that music can help “make the Gospel efficacious in today’s world, through a beauty that still captivates and makes it possible to believe, entrusting ourselves to the love of the Father”.
Choirs in general possess remarkable power and a certain kind of magic when gathered. Whether it’s the grandeur of a concert choir, or the simplicity of a small parish group, they both bring unity and a sense of sacredness.
For me, it often rekindles memories of school choir days or watching choral ensembles tackling the masterpieces of legendary composers.
Think the triumphant finale of Handel’s Messiah, the Hallelujah chorus or Bach’s St Matthew Passion, an Oratorio based on the suffering of Christ, and the spiritual and deeply personal revelation of faith in his Mass in B minor.
Today, there are choirs that have emerged with a twist through musical innovators like Jacob Collier and Pub Choir specialist Astrid Jorgensen who are redefining what a choir can look like.
Jacob Collier, a Grammy-winning English singer, songwriter, musician and composer, transforms audiences into pop-up choirs. He takes riffs and chords and assigns different sections of the audience to sing specific parts of the riff or chord and loops them. The audience instinctively takes his lead and somehow manages to create a remarkable harmonious choral encounter.
Astrid Jorgensen has made a living out of organised noise. She is the founder of the worldwide phenomenon Pub Choir which helps everyday people find their voices through using three-part harmony, bringing joy and unity to people as they sing as one with no judgement.
In many ways, these gatherings are bringing an almost spiritual dimension to the room without people realising it. They’re filled with joy, love and happiness and a sense of mutual respect that seems rare in today’s world.
The heart of any church choir lies in the sense of community it fosters. It has many benefits and can be a deeply enriching experience.
You’ll encounter like-minded individuals from different walks of life who share your passion for music and faith.
A choir’s music can paint a picture, tell a story and lead the congregation on an emotional spiritual journey.
The blending of vocal harmonies whether in two, three, or four parts reminds me of a thread in a tapestry, stitching, weaving and knotting, together forming a picture of sound. In much the same way, music, community and faith are also intertwined, each deeply connected to the other.
They teach us how liturgy and hymns align with the readings and teachings of the day. It helps rid us of self-centredness and encourages us to focus on the need to listen to each other.
Choirs have that innate ability of bringing people together in harmony and unity.
Isn’t this the very thing we are longing for in today’s world. All too often we hear the sad stories of struggle and division.
Where is the love? Where is the hope? Where is the unity?
As we draw closer to the end of the Jubilee Year of Hope lets continue to sustain Hope for this world.
Let’s build choirs to remind us through song of the importance of unity.
“For where two or more are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20) Jesus assured us that the Holy Spirit would be there to facilitate.
Forming a choir can inspire unity through love, happiness, joy and compassion allowing us to flourish once more, helping to create a better world for everyone!
Renate Cassis
Graphic and Digital Designer, Congregational Administration Services