• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

“A much greater source of anxiety to Us is the style of action of those who maintain that liturgical worship should shed its sacred character, who foolishly say we should substitute for sacred items & furnishings ordinary common things in daily use.” —Pope Saint Paul VI (14 Oct 1968)

  • Donate
  • Our Team
    • Our Editorial Policy
    • Who We Are
    • How To Contact Us
    • Sainte Marie Bulletin Articles
  • Pew Resources
    • Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal
    • Jogues Illuminated Missal
    • KYRIALE • Saint Antoine Daniel
    • Campion Missal, 3rd Edition
    • Repository • “Spanish Music”
    • Ordinary Form Feasts (Sainte-Marie)
  • MUSICAL WEBSITES
    • René Goupil Gregorian Chant
    • Noël Chabanel Psalms
    • Nova Organi Harmonia (2,279 pages)
    • Roman Missal, 3rd Edition
    • Catechism of Gregorian Rhythm
    • Father Enemond Massé Manuscripts
    • Lalemant Polyphonic
  • Miscellaneous
    • Site Map
    • Secrets of the Conscientious Choirmaster
    • “Wedding March” for lazy organists
    • Emporium Kevin Allen
    • Saint Jean de Lalande Library
    • Sacred Music Symposium 2023
    • The Eight Gregorian Modes
    • Gradual by Pothier’s Protégé
    • Seven (7) Considerations
Views from the Choir Loft

Homily: Solemnity of Saints Peter & Paul

Guest Author · June 29, 2014

ECAUSE OF THE HIGH ranking of today’s feast, it takes precedence over the Sunday’s celebration or liturgy. In fact, it is one of the ten Holy Days of Obligation in the Universal Church, although it has never been observed as such in the United States. But it has been in some counties, e.g. in Italy.

Today’s Feast is important because the Saints whom we are celebrating are very important. In some respects we can say that they are the saints on whom our Church was founded. St. Peter was the First Pope. It was to him that our Lord said, “You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” I don’t deny that nowadays we might hear different translations or renditions of these lines. I’m not here to argue or quibble about that. I would like to think that we all know what our Lord meant when He said these words. He was establishing His Church upon the rock or foundation of the Papacy.

And even though the devil or the forces of evil would try to destroy the Church, they would never succeed. That would not mean that they would not try and that they would not keep on trying. And that would not mean that at times it may seem that they might be succeeding. And at times, the gates of hell or the forces of evil might prevail or win out in certain parts of the world. But they would never succeed in completely destroying the Church.

One of the interesting things about the study of Church history is to see how the Church had to struggle in the past. I am sure that different historians have different opinions as to which was the worst or hardest period for the Church. It probably goes without saying that the people who actually had to undergo the difficult times would have thought their times were the worst times. That is very understandable. The past is past. While we can learn a lot from it, our main concern is the present.

RECENTLY, OUR PRESENT HOLY FATHER Pope Francis said that there is more persecution of Christians going on now than ever before in the history of the Church. To some that may seem a bit of an exaggeration, but I am sure he must have his reasons for what he said. It is certainly becoming more difficult to stand up for and live by ordinary Christian principles of morality which years ago everyone took for granted. Just think about laws and regulations about the sanctity of life and the holiness of marriage. Violations that are now commonplace and legally ‘permissible’ were almost universally considered wrong by everyone.

Sts. Peter and Paul lived in what we consider pagan Roman times. And yet some of the outrageous crimes, such as same-sex marriage were never ‘legalized’ during their time. At least I never recall hearing of that in my studies of Roman history. Yes, they were put to death because of their belief in Christ. That hasn’t become a crime for us, yet. But who knows?

In all honesty, I must admit that this sermon developed way differently than I originally anticipated. I was going to begin by saying that in many respects St. Peter and St. Paul were very different characters. St. Peter did not seem to be too well educated; he was a fisherman by trade; he was rather impetuous; he often seemed to speak before he thought. St. Paul was certainly more educated; he was a tent-maker by trade; he seemed to be more aggressive and argumentative. You don’t have to agree on these observations. The one thing that both of these men had in common was their tremendous love for Jesus. Both gave their lives’ work for Him and then laid down their lives for Him. When one enters Vatican City, their statues are so prominent. Yes, God used these two men to get His Church established here on earth. And I am sure it is through their intercession in heaven that the Church is still going.

We have witnessed some trying and difficult times for the Church in our lifetime. And I can’t predict if the worst is now over or is still to come. Whatever is to be, will be, but God’s grace will be there. As Christ once said to St. Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you.” And whether good days or bad days lie ahead, the Church will forge ahead, because Jesus has told us that the gates of hell will not prevail, that in the long run, the devil will not win out.


We hope you enjoyed this homily by Fr. Valentine Young, OFM.

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Valentine Young SERMON Last Updated: June 29, 2021

Subscribe

It greatly helps us if you subscribe to our mailing list!

* indicates required

Primary Sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    This coming Sunday—13 July 2025—is the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). All the chants have been conveniently assembled and posted at the feasts website. The OFFERTORY, Ad Te Levávi, is particularly beautiful.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Music Director Job • $80,000 per year
    Our readers will be interested in this job offering for Music Director at Saint Adalbert’s Basilica, located 40 minutes from where I live. My pastor was recently elevated to this basilica. He is offering $80,000 per year, plus benefits. I’m told Saint Adalbert’s Basilica is utterly gorgeous and contains one of America’s most magnificent pipe organs. It would be fantastic to have a colleague nearby!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Simplest “Agnus Dei” Ever Published
    Our choir is on break during the month of July. I needed a relatively simple “Agnus Dei,” so I composed this setting for organ & voice in honor of Saint René Goupil. It has been called the simplest setting ever composed. I love CARMEN GREGORIANUM (“Gregorian Chant”), especially the ALLELUIAS, INTROITS, and COMMUNION ANTIPHONS. That being said, some have pointed out that certain sections of the Kyriale aren’t as strong as the Graduale or Vesperale. There’s a reason for this—but it would be too complicated to explain at this moment.
    —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

“So, as in delirium a man talks in a long-forgotten tongue, now—when her heart is rent—the Catholic Church drops twenty centuries without an effort, and speaks as she spoke underground in Rome, and in Paul’s hired house, and in Crete and Alexandria and Jerusalem.”

— A non-Catholic describing the “Hagios O Theos” of Good Friday in 1906

Recent Posts

  • “How to Conduct 90 Vespers Services Each Year and Live to Tell the Tale.”
  • 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
  • The Tallis Scholars
  • Music Director Job • $80,000 per year
  • Pope Saint Paul VI to Consilium (14 October 1968)

Subscribe

Subscribe

* indicates required

Copyright © 2025 Corpus Christi Watershed · Isaac Jogues on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Corpus Christi Watershed is a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to exploring and embodying as our calling the relationship of religion, culture, and the arts. This non-profit organization employs the creative media in service of theology, the Church, and Christian culture for the enrichment and enjoyment of the public.

The election of Pope Leo XIV has been exciting, and we’re filled with hope for our apostolate’s future!

But we’re under pressure to transfer our website to a “subscription model.”

We don’t want to do that. We believe our website should remain free to all.

Our president has written the following letter:

President’s Message (dated 30 May 2025)

Are you able to support us?

clock.png

Time's up