Why does Jesus—sinless and the Son of God—accept John’s baptism, a rite of purification meant for sinners? The answer is not theoretical but deeply existential: Jesus chooses to share the human condition to the very end, to “fulfill all righteousness” by adhering to the Father’s plan together with humanity, not above it.

The baptism in the Jordan thus becomes a luminous manifestation of a God who does not impose Himself, but serves; who does not exalt Himself, but humbles Himself; who does not dominate, but accompanies. In a world marked by violence, arrogance, wars, and new forms of supremacism, this feast profoundly challenges the personal, communal, and even social conscience of Christians.

The homily concludes with a strong call to witness: if Christ chose the way of humility and service, all the more are we called to recognize our limits and to make visible—each in our own role—the discreet yet powerful light of the Gospel.

The video of the homily is available with English subtitles.

In the homily delivered at the church of Santa Maria in Cappella on the occasion of the Mass for the Second Sunday after Christmas, Fr. Roberto Spataro, Salesian, guided the faithful to rediscover the profound and ever-relevant meaning of the mystery of the Nativity.

Christmas, the preacher reminded us, is not merely an event of the past, but the revelation of a presence: the Son of God has come to dwell among us, becoming—through a striking image—“a co-tenant of our existence.” This presence did not end with the Ascension, but continues, as Christ Himself promised: “I am with you always, until the end of time.”

How can we recognize today this presence of the Lord, whom we no longer perceive visibly? Fr. Spataro pointed to three fundamental paths, entrusted to us by the living tradition of the Church:

* The path of the sacraments, in which Christ’s own action continues: in the Holy Mass it is He who offers Himself, in Confession it is His blood that purifies and heals.

* The mystical path, the interior dwelling of God in the soul of the one who loves Him and keeps His commandments, according to the promise Jesus made in the Upper Room.

* The path of charity, through which Christ identifies Himself with every man and woman in need: “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.”

The message is clear and demanding: the Lord dwells in our midst and we cannot ignore His presence, a presence that saves, that grants eternal life, and that also enlightens our prayer for our deceased brothers and sisters.

A simple yet profound homily, inviting each of us to live the Christmas season as a permanent reality: God with us, today.

He reminds us that the liturgy is not merely a series of external actions, chants, and ceremonies. Rather, these elements form a sacred language through which we express what is most intimate within us—our interior religion, the deep movements of the heart and conscience. Human beings are not disembodied spirits; we live, perceive, and communicate through our bodies. For this reason, we cannot reduce our relationship with God to ideas or silent thoughts. We must sing, kneel, move, and participate through the bodily expressions that the liturgy offers. These gestures do not replace interior prayer; they manifest and support it.

Abbot Anderson also warns against the temptation—found in certain spiritual movements or even in some Protestant approaches—to reject external forms in favor of a purely interior spirituality. Such a view, he says, is a kind of “sin of the angel,” the illusion of being able to transcend our human condition. But when one tries to pray like an angel, he paradoxically risks losing the authenticity of both spirit and flesh. To be human is to unite interior devotion with its exterior expression.

Public prayer, however, is not without challenges. Distractions are inevitable: a crying baby, movements in the pews, unexpected noises. Yet even these moments, the Abbot suggests, can become reminders of our shared humanity. He remarks with simplicity and humor that when he hears a baby cry during Mass, he sometimes feels the same way—but unlike the child, he cannot cry aloud. This insight captures the essence of the balance: prayer is both deeply personal and beautifully communal, rooted in who we are as embodied souls seeking God together.

This balance is reflected in the simple gestures of worship: kneeling, praying, and persevering amid distractions. Anderson notes that in public prayer, we encounter crying babies and restless movements, yet these too are signs of life. He recalls smilingly that when he hears a baby cry during Mass, he thinks, “I feel just like you, but I can’t cry — I have to be a man.”

Such moments remind us that holiness does not demand an escape from imperfection but rather an embrace of it with patience and love. Even non-Catholics, he observes, can be touched by the Church’s welcome of all — including the smallest and noisiest members — into the sacred celebration. Worship, then, is an act of real, incarnate humanity reaching toward God.

(From the Online Course The Catholic Mass)

Is this really an issue?

Be open and supportive to this project and help us to build a movement of rediscovery of the great tradition of the Catholic Church.

We are excited to present a new and enriching opportunity for all who wish to deepen their understanding of the Church’s most sacred treasure: the Holy Mass.

Introducing The Catholic Mass — a comprehensive 14-lesson online course based on the acclaimed book The Catholic Mass, co-authored by Bishop Athanasius Schneider and Maestro Aurelio Porfiri, who also serves as the host and guide throughout the course.

🎓 Course Overview:In each lesson, we will explore one chapter of the book, offering profound theological insights and practical reflections. The course features not only the direct involvement of Bishop Schneider, but also contributions from some of today’s leading voices in Catholic theology and liturgy.

👥 Featured Guest Speakers:

* Bishop Athanasius Schneider – Co-author and main speaker

* Abbot Philip Anderson – Benedictine Monastery of Our Lady of Clear Creek Abbey

* Professor Robert Fastiggi

* Dr. Kevin Magas

* Deacon Dr. Edward Schaeffer

* Father Roberto Spataro

🌍 The book The Catholic Mass has been translated into more than 10 languages and distributed widely across continents — from the United States and Italy to France, Poland, Brazil, and beyond — touching the lives of thousands of clergy, scholars, and faithful alike.

🗓 Course Begins: September 24, 2025📺 Participate live or watch the recordings later at your convenience. Whether you’re a priest, religious, seminarian, or lay faithful, this course will enrich your spiritual life and deepen your appreciation for the Eucharistic mystery at the heart of the Church.

💒 As Maestro Aurelio Porfiri explains, this course is not only a teaching opportunity — it's a movement of renewal, aimed at restoring a deeper reverence, understanding, and love for the liturgy.

🎶 A portion of the proceeds will go toward supporting Romaeterna Cantores (www.romaeternacantores.com), a Rome-based association committed to reviving the glorious sacred music tradition of the Roman School through concerts, conferences, and educational initiatives.

💬 “The Holy Mass is the greatest treasure we have on Earth. The Church is built from the Eucharist.” – Bishop Athanasius Schneider

👉 Don’t miss this unique opportunity. Learn more and enroll at: www.thecatholicmass.online

Let us rediscover together the beauty, truth, and sacredness of the Holy Mass.#CatholicMass #OnlineCourse #BishopSchneider #AurelioPorfiri #LiturgicalRenewal #Eucharist #SacredLiturgy #RomaeternaCantores

In this episode Aurelio Porfiri is talking to Zimfira Poloz, a specialist in children choirs and one of the most outstanding choral conductor of our time.

She will share about the great responsability conductors have for the education of the children, and this is true also for Church choirs conductors.

Thank you for reading Cantus. This post is public so feel free to share it. Remember there are only few days to get the special subscription rates!

In this episode, the guest is Aurelio Porfiri, an esteemed Italian composer, conductor, educator, and writer. A leading expert in sacred music, he is also known for his scholarship on China and Catholic traditionalism. He has co-authored The Catholic Mass with Bishop Athanasius Schneider, a bestselling book translated into multiple languages, and has contributed to major Catholic and conservative publications in Italy, France, and the United States. In 2021, Inside the Vatican recognized him as one of the most influential figures in the Catholic world.

The discussion focuses on his latest book, When the Harps Went Still: The Tragic Decline of Catholic Sacred Music, co-authored with Archbishop Schneider and Professor Guido Milanese. This work explores the crisis of sacred music within the Church and its broader implications for Western culture.

Through this conversation, Church and Culture delves into the historical and spiritual significance of sacred music, its decline in recent decades, and the urgent need for its restoration in contemporary liturgy.

During their conversation, they explore the root causes of the decline in sacred music quality, examining the impact of modern commercial music infiltrating liturgical settings. Porfiri and Milanese argue that sacred music is an integral part of the liturgy, meant to elevate the worship experience and glorify God, rather than adopting popular, commercial styles that undermine the sacred atmosphere. The episode is a profound reflection on how liturgical music has shifted, and how it must return to its true purpose: inspiring devotion and enriching human spiritual experience.

In this episode, Aurelio Porfiri urges us to reconsider the current state of liturgical music, where commercial and pop influences often overshadow its sacred purpose. He reminds us that true liturgical music must always strive for the highest standards, seeking to offer the best to God and the faithful.

Cantus is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

In this episode, Father Spataro shares his perspectives on the Latin Mass, particularly in the context of recent discussions about potential restrictions. He contends that opposition to the Latin Mass often reflects a broader rejection of Church tradition. He highlights that this resistance is frequently driven by emotional reactions rather than reason. According to Father Spataro, many older priests resist the traditional Mass due to their long-standing commitment to the liturgical reforms of the 1960s. In contrast, younger priests and faithful increasingly appreciate the spiritual depth and richness of the Latin liturgy.

Despite rumors of impending restrictions, Father Spataro remains optimistic. He believes the divine nature of the Latin Mass will overcome any obstacles. Drawing on historical examples, he compares this resilience to the enduring faith seen in countries that have faced severe persecution. Father Spataro also addresses the critical importance of proper priestly formation, emphasizing the need for a strong spiritual foundation in seminary education and the role of tradition in nurturing an authentic and profound faith.

To conclude the episode, Father Spataro addresses the listeners in Latin, wishing them well and expressing his hope that they will continue to appreciate the rich heritage of the Latin language. This episode of Cantus promises to be a compelling exploration of tradition, faith, and the timeless beauty of the Latin liturgy.

Don't miss this enriching discussion—subscribe to Cantus at kantus.substack.com for more episodes that celebrate the sacred music and liturgy of the Church.

In this thought-provoking session, Porfiri delves into the complex and pressing issue of music in the liturgy, particularly focusing on the role of the guitar.

Episode Highlights:

* The Noble Instrument:

* Concerns about Current Trends:

* Sacred vs. Commercial Music:

* Misunderstanding Contemporary Music:

* The Inevitable Guitar?:

* The Church and Dominant Culture.

Join us for an engaging and insightful discussion with Aurelio Porfiri as he champions the fight to bring back good liturgical music, ensuring it remains a sacred and integral part of our worship. Don't miss this episode if you care about the future of music in the Church and its role in enhancing the liturgical experience.

But there is a segment of those going to the traditional Mass that may have ulterior motives. We talk about them.

Maybe you need to think again.

Cantus is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Cantus is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

You can find it here.

Cantus is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Cantus is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Cantus is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Cantus is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Cantus is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a paid subscriber.

Hope they will be able to forgive him…

Cantus is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a paid subscriber.

And it is not good.

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We talk about the lost world of Castrati.

Cantus is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Anticipated Happy Easter!

Let us prepare to Holy Week.

At least sometimes and when is really necessary.

As it is now.

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Keep him company…

Listen to what he has to say and if you wish, comment below.

They will talk about their new book on the Mass.

Please consider to subscribe and if you wish, comment on this podcast.

David Burn studied music at Merton College, University of Oxford, and held the college’s Organ Scholarship as an undergraduate. He completed his doctorate in 2002 on Heinrich Isaac’s mass propers under the supervision of Reinhard Strohm. From 2002-2003 he was Guest Researcher at Kyoto City University of Arts. There he researched connections between Japan and the West during Japan’s “Christian Century” (1550-1650). From 2003-2007 he was Junior Research Fellow at St. John’s College, University of Oxford. In 2007 he joined the Leuven musicology department as Head of the Early Music Research Group.

His research is focussed on the later 15th and 16th centuries, with particular interest for Heinrich Isaac and his contemporaries, interactions between chant and polyphony, source-studies, and early-music analysis. He has published widely on these topics in leading international peer-reviewed journals including the Journal of Musicology, the Revue de musicology, the Archiv für Musikwissenschaft, the Journal of Music Theory, and Musiktheorie. Recent and current large-scale projects include an investigation of the relationships between music and theology in the works of Leonhard Paminger (1495-1567), and the development of an early-music database (IDEM: An Integrated Database for Early Music).

He is a member of the editorial board member of the book-series Analysis in Context: Leuven Studies in Musicology, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Alamire Foundation. Together with Katelijne Schiltz, he is General Editor of the Journal of the Alamire Foundation, a journal devoted to all aspects of research and performance of music in or connected with the Low Countries during the ancient régime. In 2013 he was elected as a member of the Academia Europaea.

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With composer, conductor and host Aurelio Porfiri will be part of this podcast Gesualdo’s expert and american musicologist Jeffrey Levenberg.

Please consider subscribing and take advantage of the special offer available only until sunday! You will get all our special content in your inbox!

She will share about the great responsability conductors have for the education of the children, and this is true also for Church choirs conductors.

Thank you for reading Cantus. This post is public so feel free to share it. Remember there are only few days to get the special subscription rates!

With Aurelio Porfiri will discuss about this Cardinal Joseph Zen, Bishop Athanasius Schneider, James Bogle, Felipe Alanís Suárez, Robert Moynihan and John C. Rao (recorded on August 9, 2021).