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Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

Funeral Mass • Justice Antonin Scalia

Jeff Ostrowski · February 20, 2016

736 Fr Paul Scalia HE FUNERAL for Justice Antonin Scalia took place on 20 February 2016 in the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. The Mass was said—and homily delivered—by Fr. Paul Scalia. One of the readings was by Justice Clarence Thomas, who attended two Catholic seminaries in his youth. For the record, I had tremendous admiration for Scalia and listened to his presentations over and over—to the point that I felt I knew him. He will be missed.

Fr. Paul Scalia, who resembles his father, did a beautiful job singing the Mass, and the entire Mass was certainly dignified. Some of the musical selections were quite beautiful. The Responsorial Psalm by Richard Rice actually came from the Chabanel Psalm website. Other choices struck me as a bit uninspired.

It’s difficult to understand why the Mass was Ordinary Form since Justice Scalia was known to attend the Extraordinary Form exclusively. Moreover, while the musical selections were (generally speaking) fine, they were nothing compared to Requiem settings by Victoria, Guerrero, Morales, and so forth. 1 Perhaps the problem is me; I find the traditional Requiem so powerful & consoling, nothing else comes close.

You can view the full video of the Funeral Mass:

    * *  VIDEO • Funeral Mass for Justice Antonin Scalia

You can download the entire Funeral Program:

    * *  PDF Download • PROGRAM (Justice Scalia’s Funeral)

738 Justice Scalia Funeral Mass


Random Observations :

— White vestments. (Allowed for the Ordinary Form)

— The Basilica is filled with people, all the way back to the doors.

— Mass is offered facing the people, although the current edition of the Roman Missal (Ordinary Form) seems to indicate otherwise.

Here’s a summary, provided by the CMAA forum:

The Knell is tolled.

Organ music.

A men’s schola chants the Introit “Requiem aeternam” according to the Graduale Romanum.

Organ music.

Hymn “O God Our Help in Ages Past.”

Welcoming Remarks by Donald Cardinal Wuerl.

Collect is sung by Father Scalia.

1st reading: Wisdom, read by Leonard Leo (a friend of Justice Scalia).

Psalm 23:1-6: sung by the National Shrine choir.

2nd reading: Romans 5 — read by Justice Clarence Thomas.

Verse: sung by the National Shrine choir.

Gospel: Deacon Colin Davis (a seminarian for the diocese of Arlington).

Homily: Fr. Scalia.

Offertory motet: Beati quorum via (Stanford).

Preface dialogue: chanted.

Sanctus: XVIII (chanted, with organ).

The Roman Canon (EP I).

Memorial Acclamation: When… (chanted, with organ).

Amen (chanted, with organ).

Our Father (chanted sonorously by all present).

Peace Dialogue (chanted).

Sign of Peace (omitted).

Agnus Dei — Victoria, Missa Quarti Toni (National Shrine choir).

A treble schola chants the Communion verse “Lux Aeterna” according to the Graduale Romanum

Communion Hymn: Jesus, My Lord, My God, My All (Faber)

Communion motets: Franck’s Panis Angelicus and Mozart’s Ave Verum.

Post-communion dialogue: chanted.

In Paradisum: English, sung by the National Shrine choir.

Recessional: O God Beyond All Praising (Holst).

The casket is asperged by Cardinal Wuerl, Archbishop Vigano, Bishop Loverde and Bishop Higgins, and draped in the American flag and—as the knell tolls again—is carried out of the basilica, past a long line of concelebrating priests chanting the Salve Regina. The casket is saluted by Supreme Court Police and placed in the hearse.



NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1   I’m not trying to be a curmudgeon. I’m simply pointing out that there’s no comparison between truly great settings of the “Missa Pro Defunctis” and several of the utilitarian musical choices for this Funeral. Singing Victoria’s Requiem, for example, would seem the least that should have been done to honor Justice Scalia. Obviously, this is just my opinion, and I could be wrong. I’m not infallible.

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 Jeff Ostrowski

Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004). He resides with his wife and children in Michigan. —(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    New Bulletin Article • “14 September 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 14 September 2025) discusses OFFERTORY ANTIPHONS and contains a wonderful quote by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • Draft Copy (Pamphlet)
    A few days ago, I posted a draft copy of this 12-page pamphlet with citations about the laity’s “full, conscious, and active participation.” Its basic point or message is that choir directors should never feel embarrassed to teach real choral music because Vatican II explicitly ordered them to do that! We’ve received tons of mail regarding that pamphlet, with many excellent suggestions for improvement. Please feel free to chime in!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Entrance Chant” • 23rd (Ordinary Time)
    This coming Sunday, 7 September 2025, is the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). You can download the “Entrance Chant,” conveniently located at the feasts website. I also recorded a rehearsal video for it (freely available at the same website). The Communion Chant includes gorgeous verses in FAUXBOURDON. I attempted to create a rehearsal video for it, and it’s been posted at the feasts website, called by some: “church music’s best kept secret.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Karl Keating • “Canonization Questions”
    We were sent an internet statement (screenshot) that’s garnered significant attention, in which KARL KEATING (founder of Catholic Answers) speaks about whether canonizations are infallible. Mr. Keating seems unaware that canonizations are—in the final analysis—a theological opinion. They are not infallible, as explained in this 2014 article by a priest (with a doctorate in theology) who worked for multiple popes. Mr. Keating says: “I’m unaware of such claims arising from any quarter until several recent popes disliked by these Traditionalists were canonized, including John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul II. Usually Paul VI receives the most opprobrium.” Mr. Keating is incorrect; e.g. Father John Vianney, several centuries ago, taught clearly that canonizations are not infallible. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen would be another example, although clearly much more recent than Saint John Vianney.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Vatican II Changed Wedding Propers?
    It’s often claimed that the wedding propers were changed after Vatican II. As a matter of fact, that is a false claim. The EDITIO VATICANA propers (Introit: Deus Israel) remained the same after Vatican II. However, a new set of propers (Introit: Ecce Deus) was provided for optional use. The same holds true for the feast of Pope Saint Gregory the Great on 3 September: the 1943 propers (Introit: Si díligis me) were provided for optional use, but the traditional PROPRIA MISSAE (Introit: Sacerdótes Dei) were retained; they weren’t gotten rid of. The Ordo Cantus Missae (1970) makes this crystal clear, as does the Missal itself. There was an effort made in the post-conciliar years to eliminate so-called “Neo-Gregorian” chants, but (contrary to popular belief) most were retained: cf. the feast of Christ the King, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, and so forth.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Solemn “Salve Regina” (Chant)
    How many “S” words can you think of using alliteration? How about Schwann Solemn Salve Score? You can download the SOLEMN SALVE REGINA in Gregorian Chant. The notation follows the official rhythm (EDITIO VATICANA). Canon Jules Van Nuffel, choirmaster of the Cathedral of Saint Rumbold, composed this accompaniment for it (although some feel it isn’t his best work).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“The Lord’s Prayer, among the Greeks, is said by all the people; among us, by the priest alone.”

— Pope Saint Gregory the Great

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