Solesmes and Dom Guéranger

by Solesmes

Today's liturgical renewal owes a great debt to Dom Gueranger, who not only refounded the Abbey of St. Peter of Solesmes, but guided the spiritual growth that led to his monks' renowned scholarship.

Genres: Biography, Catholic, Religion

224 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1995

Reviews

[Peter Carter]

What I took away most in this book was learning about the re-founding of Solesmes and the historical context that made it such a significant moment in the Church. I hadn’t realized before how thoroughly the religious life in France had died out as a result of the French Revolution, nor how much of a pioneer Dom Gueranger was in his re-founding not only the Abbey of Solesmes but even monasticism in France more generally. And although the editions of Gregorian chant books by Solesmes were published after his death, they clearly flowed from his work of restoring the monastic and liturgical life at Solesmes.

Recognizing that Dom Gueranger was such a “lonesome pioneer” in restoring a tradition that had been completely lost for forty years, I felt encouraged looking at parallel scenarios today. Solesmes’s legacy looms large in sacred music and the monastic world, and if God used this one man to create such a profound and influential legacy then there is no limit to what God can work through his humble servants today in whatever work he is calling them to do. I hope all pioneers of the Traditional Latin Mass today will be able to be similarly encouraged and see that there “little” work can have profound effects on not only their local communities but also on the good of the Church universally.

Regarding the translation, I feel that it was mostly fine although there were definitely occasional phrases which did not translate all that well and sounded awkward in English.