Fr. Thomas de Beyer Composes Stunning Sacred Music

hymn, church music, chant, evangelization, Jazz

The original Latin liturgical text of the Mass has been composed into sacred music by German priest Fr. Thomas de Beyer.

Mass of the Light

The title, “MissaLucis” means Mass of the Light. Fr. Thomas chose the name, “because Christ himself says: “I am the Light of the World” (John 8:12).  He is present in the Holy Eucharist, sharing with us heavenly grace by the power of his cross and resurrection.”

“MissaLucis” is a contemporary musical setting that premiered in September at the Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Sosnowiec, Poland.  It was given as a concert called, Totus Tuus, for the annual music festival Gorczycki.

Fr. Thomas, who publishes Latin Mass chants for choir and orchestra, began working on the melodies and harmonies for this composition five years ago.  His creation comprises Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus, Agnus Dei, and Ave Maria. The Ave Maria was added, Fr. Thomas says, “because the Holy Mass is about the “body of Christ” and so is Mary.”

Fr. Thomas’s Background

Born in 1968 in Horstel, a small town in North Germany. Fr. Thomas studied theology in Frankfurt/Main and was ordained as a priest in 2010. He served in several parishes through 2017 when he became the spiritual director for the Franciscan Immaculata convent in Brandenburg south of Ulm.

Fr. Thomas met Dr. Ondrej Jaura when he was visiting Berlin where the two decided to collaborate on the music together.  Dr. Jaura studied composition at the Church Conservatory in Bratislava and then worked for different orchestras in Bratislava and Berlin. He’s also a church musician.

Dr. Jaura expresses the combination of liturgy and sacred music:

The music serves the liturgy. The words of the liturgy are to show to advantage since they are beautiful and sacred in themselves. At the same time, the emotion of joy accompanies us, for Holy Mass allows us to partake of the biggest gift that has ever been given to mankind: Redemption by Christ’s sacrifice upon the Cross. God becomes a man in order to redeem us from all darkness. With the eyes of faith, we see a shining light rise upon the altar. It is this sacred joy that we want to express musically.

Fr. Thomas described his musical journey to NCR:

As a student, I got piano lessons for a year at my parents’ request. When those lessons had come to an end, in the afternoon I sat down at the piano and started vamping; I felt there was something inside me that I wanted to express. Little by little, songs came to life, quite simple ones at first. In the course of time, however, they became more symphonious. As I grew older I understood that composing means listening rather than producing sounds. There lies a deep fascination in listening creatively, and in my opinion, music is a huge chance to touch people with the Christian message, the message of God. Therefore, the inspiration for “MissaLucis” and the collaboration with outstanding musicians is a heavenly gift to me, which I am very grateful for.

His Music Reveals the Beauty of the Liturgy

“Arranger Dr. Jaura, conductor Dr. Anna Szostak and I, we would be glad, if our music helps you to enjoy the beauty and sacredness of Catholic liturgy if it leads You towards prayer,” invite Fr. Thomas.

Choir: The Katowice City Singers‘ Ensemble “Camerata Silesia”, KatowiceOrchestra: The Silesian Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, KatowicePremiere during the Grzegorz Gerwazy Gorczycki International Festival, 19th of September 2020 in the Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Sosnowiec, Poland. Recording: Sidus-Art

Go here to view the video on youtube

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2 thoughts on “Fr. Thomas de Beyer Composes Stunning Sacred Music”

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