Why the Novus Ordo Needs Gregorian Chant

In his recent motu proprio Traditionis Custodes, Pope Francis called the Novus Ordo Mass the "unique expression of the lex orandi of the Roman Rite." But he did not state his intention that celebrations of this Mass be beautiful. Perhaps the principle of beauty in liturgy was assumed. Many pre-conciliar Catholics would have taken it for granted. A pre-conciliar convert, too, has told me that he was drawn to the Church through the beauty of her liturgy. Yet today, U.S. Catholic liturgies in English are mostly beige. Many of them feature terrible music. No wonder people are walking away.