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Views from the Choir Loft

First, the Priests

Andrew R. Motyka · August 21, 2013

HEN WRITING THIS POST, the first thing that came to mind was, “I need expound on the idea of singing the orations at Mass as a springboard to the singing congregation,” as I mentioned in one of my first posts here. I then realized that in that post, I never mentioned singing the orations at all. How neglectful of me!

The starting point for all music in liturgy must be in the prayers of the Mass itself. Musicam Sacram mentions these sung prayers in the first degree of importance when singing the Mass:

29. The following belong to the first degree:

(a) In the entrance rites: the greeting of the priest together with the reply of the people; the prayer.

(b) In the Liturgy of the Word: the acclamations at the Gospel.

(c) In the Eucharistic Liturgy: the prayer over the offerings; the preface with its dialogue and the Sanctus; the final doxology of the Canon, the Lord’s prayer with its introduction and embolism; the Pax Domini; the prayer after the Communion; the formulas of dismissal.

Furthermore, it is my experience that when the priest begins the Mass, singing the sign of the cross and greeting with its response for the congregation, he sets the tone for the entire Mass, in both music and solemnity. These orations and responses are simple but effective ways to enhance liturgical reverence. They are so simple that they belie the perennial excuse of “I can’t sing.”

Like almost all things liturgical, the priest, specifically the pastor, must be on board before progress in music can be sustained, if it can be made at all. I have noticed that many music directors can improve the quality of liturgical music in their parishes, but without the support of the pastor, such endeavors have a definite ceiling and can be easily reversed. Therefore, good musical formation of the priests in our dioceses is critical.

I am blessed to be in an Archdiocese where most of the priests have been formed, one way or another, by Saint Meinrad Archabbey. The musical heritage of that abbey (Benedictines. Surprised, anyone?) has been a blessing to the Archdiocese for years. Furthermore, this year we will be beginning an Archdiocesan “Seminarian Schola” to sing for special Masses. It is my hope that the exposure to the heritage of Catholic liturgical music will be a boon to their liturgical formation.

In order for the musical improvement of the liturgy to get off the ground, we need the cooperation of pastors. Singing the prayers of the Mass is a simple way to get started in the right direction, and will give the rest of the parish a launching point from which to solemnize their prayer.

As always, please support and pray for our priests and seminarians.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Andrew R. Motyka

Andrew Motyka is the Archdiocesan Director of Liturgical Music and Cathedral Music for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.—(Read full biography).

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President’s Corner

    Bugnini’s Statement (6 November 1966)
    With each passing day, more is revealed about how the enemies of the liturgy accomplished their goals. For instance, Hannibal Bugnini deeply resented the way Vatican II said Gregorian Chant “must be given first place in liturgical services.” On 6 November 1966, his cadre wrote a letter attempting to justify the elimination of Gregorian Chant with this brazen statement: “What really gives a Mass its tone is not so much the songs as it is the prayers and readings.” Bugnini’s cadre then attacked the very heart of Gregorian Chant (viz. the Proprium Missae), bemoaning how the Proprium Missae “is completely new each Sunday and feast day.” There is much more to be said about this topic. Stay tuned.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Luis Martínez Must Go!
    Sevilla Cathedral (entry dated 13 December 1564): The chapter orders Luis Martínez, a cathedral chaplain, to stay away from the choirbook-stand when the rest of the singers gather around it to sing polyphony—the reason being that “he throws the others out of tune.” [Excerpt from “The Life of Father Francisco Guerrero.”]
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Urgent! • We Desperately Need Funds!
    A few days ago, the president of Corpus Christi Watershed posted this urgent appeal for funds. Please help us make sure we’re never forced to place our content behind a paywall. We feel it’s crucial that 100% of our content remains free to everyone. We’re a tiny 501(c)3 public charity, entirely dependent upon the generosity of small donors. We have no endowment and no major donors. We run no advertisements and have no savings. We beg you to consider donating $4.00 per month. Thank you!
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Pope Pius XII Hymnal?
    Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Hybrid” Chant Notation?
    Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Antiphons Don’t Match?
    A reader wants to know why the Entrance and Communion antiphons in certain publications deviate from what’s prescribed by the GRADUALE ROMANUM published after Vatican II. Click here to read our answer. The short answer is: the Adalbert Propers were never intended to be sung. They were intended for private Masses only (or Masses without music). The “Graduale Parvum,” published by the John Henry Newman Institute of Liturgical Music in 2023, mostly uses the Adalbert Propers—but sometimes uses the GRADUALE text: e.g. Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (29 June).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

He stood firm against nepotism, rebuking his predecessor Pope Pius IV to his face when he wanted to make a 13-year-old member of his family a cardinal and subsidize a nephew from the papal treasury.

— Re: Pope Saint Pius V (d. 1572)

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