PAYING HONOR TO GOD THROUGH SACRED MUSIC
VATICAN CITY, MAY 21, 2005 (VIS) - Pope Benedict XVI, following the
honor
conferred by Austria on his brother, Msgr. Georg Ratzinger, on May 19
in the
Vatican, made brief remarks in German to those present. Following is a
translation of those remarks that was made public yesterday afternoon.
� "It feels strange for me to speak now. As I came down here, my
secretary
said to me: 'Now, dear Holy Father, your brother is the most important
person'. There is no doubt about that. I find it pleasing that my
brother,
who for 30 years has so committed himself to sacred music in Ratisbone
Cathedral and in the rest of the world, should receive recognition from
such
a competent body.
� "When I speak, despite my inadequacy, I feel, so to say, like the
spokesman for those present here who feel joy, gratitude and
satisfaction
for this moment. As my brother has said, Austria is in a very special
way a
country of music. Whoever thinks of Austria, thinks in the first place
of
the beauty of creation that the Lord granted it. They think of the
beauty of
the buildings, the cordiality of the people, but also and above all of
the
music. ... For this reason, the fact that our dear neighbor Austria
should
give this recognition to my brother takes on a particular importance.
And I
too give my heartfelt thanks.
� "I imagine that also the new generation of cathedral cantors,
instructed
by the choir master, find cause for joy and encouragement in the fact
that
30 years of work have been recognized, and that this may help them to
honor
the message of the good God, in these times when we have such need, and
to
lead men to joy with renewed drive and enthusiasm. Thank you."