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“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)

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Views from the Choir Loft

Musical Works of Mercy

Andrew Leung · April 28, 2016

CTL Musical Works of Mercy AST WEEK, I suggested an enjoyable way to pray during the Year of Mercy; and this week, I would like to make some suggestions that are not as relaxing, but require active works from us. As followers of Christ, we are all called to sanctify ourselves and others around us. One way to do that, especially during this Jubilee Year of Mercy, is to perform the works of mercy. Works of mercy are acts of both penance and charity, and they help lead us and others to greater holiness. There are two categories of works of mercy: corporal works of mercy which concerns the material needs of others and spiritual works of mercy which concerns the spiritual needs.

My suggestions are based on the seven spiritual works of mercy. Sacred music is for the glory of God and the sanctification, the edification of the faithful, just as St. Pius X said. Here are a few ways that we, church musicians, can help others spiritually through music:

1. To instruct the ignorant – Through doctrinal and orthodox liturgical music, we can help people learn more about the Catholic faith. This can be accomplished through singing the Creed and traditional hymnodies. Even though hymnodies come from the Protestant tradition, they are very effective in this regard. And of course, the Creed is our believes and singing the profession of faith help us to think more deeply on the text.

2. To counsel the doubtful and to admonish sinners – Through the sacred scripture in the church music, those who are doubtful can be counseled. We can also help people to listen to the Word of God, to reflect on their own lives and to live more like Christ. We perform this work of mercy every time when we chant the propers.

3. To bear wrongs patiently and to forgive offences willingly – As musicians, we are constantly being judged by others. When we face negative comments, let’s try to be polite and stay positive. We are called to be charitable to others even when they offend us with words.

4. To comfort the afflicted – Through the beauty of the Church’s music, we can bring the afflicted brothers and sisters comfort and lead to God, who is the source of all beauty. True sacred music can heal wounded souls and feed spiritual hungers.

5. To pray for the living and the dead – I have stressed the importance of prayer many times. Prayer is the key element of sacred music. We must remember to make our singing prayers to God. And when we pray, don’t just pray for ourselves, but also for those who are around us and the Church Suffering.

Hopefully, most of us are already doing these works of mercy as we provide music for liturgies. But it is never too late to start!

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” — Luke 6:36

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 Leung

Andrew Leung currently serves the music director of Vox Antiqua, conductor of the Cecilian Singers, and music director at Our Lady of China Church.—(Read full biography).

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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

[Speaking of those who wish to eliminate Latin from the liturgy.] “One may well wonder what the origin is of this new way of thinking and this sudden dislike for the past; one may well wonder why these things have been fostered.”

— Pope Saint Paul VI (15 August 1966)

Recent Posts

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  • 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)

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