“Peace is an integral part of our liturgies and spiritual life. Christ came to bring peace, and music and prayer should reflect that,” said Dr. Kevin D. Parizo, director of music and organist at the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Middlebury. “I would hope that our congregations reflect on the words of the hymns as they pertain to the liturgy of the day as well as the liturgical season that is being celebrated. Given the world’s status at this moment, people should constantly be praying and reflecting on how to achieve peace.”

During the Year of Peace in the Diocese of Burlington, several persons involved with church music rang in with their thoughts on “peace music” at Mass.

For Conor Cook, music coordinator at St. Augustine Church in Montpelier, the song of peace “par excellence” is the Agnus Dei (Lamb of God), that follows the Sign of Peace and concludes with “dona nobis pacem” (“grant us peace”).

“The peace it speaks of is both exterior — between brethren — and interior, coming from the mercy of God that takes away sins,” he said. “As the final sung component before the Communion Rite, it prepares us to receive Christ in the Eucharist by reconciling with the community and quieting our ‘interior castle.’”

Other songs of peace often are used as communion hymns, a time when [the choir or cantor] tries to be the catalyst for the congregation to acquire peace in their hearts after receiving the Eucharist,” said Madeleine Roy, director of music ministry, choir director, and cantor at Conversion of St. Paul Church in Barton. “Songs about peace are not just to be used as prayers to end strife in the world but as supplication toward our own inner peace. We all struggle with issues at one time or another, so peaceful music is calming, inspiring, and healing.”

Some of her favorite peace songs are “Peace” by the Weston Priory, Westphal’s “Maranatha,” and Bob Dufford’s “Be Not Afraid.”

Parizo likes these peace songs: “O God of Love, O King of Peace,” Melody of Tallis Canon, could be used for the offertory or a communion meditation; “Make Me A Channel of Your Peace” (“Prayer of St. Francis”) by Sebastian Temple for the entrance, offertory, or communion meditation; “Pax Vobiscum” by William Svarda for the offertory or communion; and “Let All Be Peace,” melody of Waly, Waly, for the entrance or offertory.

“I enjoy them because they reflect the peace of Christ in a gentle manner,” he said. “Some of them are quieter hymns thus creating a meditative atmosphere.”

He noted that many Christmas hymns refer to the Christ Child as the “Prince of Peace,” and in the Easter hymn, “Ye Sons and Daughters” (“O Fillii et Filiae”) the fourth mentions “Peace Be with You.”

“A vast collection of hymns clearly references peace with allegorical references through light, gentleness, calm etc.,” he added.

According to Josh Perry, director of the Office of Worship for the Diocese of Burlington, songs and
hymns related to peace are most appropriate when they
correspond to the readings of the day or if the Mass
that is being celebrated is a Mass related to peace.

“The Roman Missal offers a few options for Masses for Various Needs and Occasions that presiders may choose from, such as ‘For Promoting Harmony,’ ‘For Reconciliation,’ ‘For the Preservation of Peace and Justice,’ and ‘In Time of War or Civil Disturbance.’ It’s also important to look at the text of the song,” he continued. “Some ‘peace songs’ focus almost exclusively on our own efforts for creating peace. Sometimes, it’s good to be reminded of our responsibilities to be people of peace, but in the context of Mass (and in our general worldview as Christians), it’s also important to be reminded of God’s gift of peace — which is purely grace. Hymns that speak of the peace that God offers are also very important, especially in the Mass. The balance in focus is important.”