MADISON — “Christus vincit, Christus regnat, Christus imperat!” echoed from the choir loft of Saint Paul’s as hundreds of students, united in spirit and in truth, rejoiced in singing “To Jesus Christ, Our Sovereign King” at the 9:30 a.m. Mass on November 23.

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of Pope Pius XI establishing the feast of Christ the King, the Saint Paul’s Chamber Choir performed their semesterly Orchestral Mass. 

Forty young men and women typically make up the chamber choir with principal organist Jaret Schroeder. 

In the Orchestral Mass, however, the choir unites in worship with 20 instrumentalists, including strings, winds, brass, and percussion.

Carson Lipinski, Saint Paul’s director of sacred music, explained, “Aside from the Triduum, the Solemnity of Christ the King is the highlight of the year for most students.”

Fr. David Carrano, pastor, explained that the main message of Christ the King is, “Jesus Christ is King. He is the King of the Heavens above and the earth below. He is King of the universe.”

The Orchestral Mass is extremely fitting to perform for Christ the King because the triumphant sound of the choir and the instruments reflects the grand royalty of Christ, the One to whom we give our entire lives. 

As Psalm 98:6 exclaims, “With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord!”

The Orchestral Mass is very special because it allows students to rejoice in a unique way which differs from most Sundays. 

Members of the congregation couldn’t help but smile their way through the Mass as they heard the brass, strings, percussion, winds, organ, and the choir all united in worship.

Asked about his experience directing the choir, Lipinski said, “The experience for me was uncontainable joy and excitement. The Orchestral Mass is the greatest marriage of my loves for music and Our Lord. And to be able to lead 60 talented musicians in praise of Almighty God just gives me elation — the same elation that the saints feel when they see God face to face.”