“The Diocesan Commissions for sacred music are of most valuable assistance in promoting sacred music together with pastoral liturgical action in the diocese. Therefore they should exist as far as possible in each diocese, and should unite their efforts with those of the Liturgical Commission.” (Musicam Sacram no. 68)
The Diocesan Commission on Liturgical Music (DCLM) is the mandated Commission of the Diocese of San Pablo regarding the promotion of Sacred Music especially in the liturgical life of the Diocese. It is in close collaboration with the Commission on Liturgy and other related Commissions in the service of liturgical celebration.
The Logo and the Motto
The raven is the emblem of Saint Paul the First Hermit, the Patron of the Diocese of San Pablo. It is said that during his hermitage years, a raven regularly comes to the Saint to bring bread for his sustenance. The bird has become the symbol of God’s providence for those who trust in him.
The harp, one of the ancient musical instruments, is a general symbol of music. It is said that King David, who composed most, if not all, the Psalms, played the harp in his worship of the Lord. Saint Cecilia, the recognized Patron of Sacred Music, is usually depicted playing the harp while angels listen to her heavenly praises for God.
The motto Laudemus Deo in Musica Sacra (Let us praise God with sacred music) is a call to all believers to sing the praises of God. The Sacred Scriptures is replete with accounts and verses of singing as a form of worship before the Lord. Saint Paul even encouraged his community in Ephesus, “[B]e filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts” (cf. Eph. 5:18-19). But it has to be remembered that such worship should always be in accord with the mind of the Church. Thus, Sacred Music is a call to everyone to worship the Lord as He wants to be worshiped, guided by the Church’s liturgical life. In this way the true purpose of sacred music is to be attained, “which is the glory of God and the sanctification of the faithful” (Musicam Sacram no. 4; Sacrosanctum Concilium art. 112).