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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

Discouragement and Hope

Richard J. Clark · December 15, 2017

HE FEAST of Saint John of the Cross (Dec. 14) brings to mind a fragment of a favorite hymn (text by Charles William Everest): Take up thy cross, and follow Christ, Nor think till death to put it down.

Nor think till death to put it down.

This line is sometimes all I can remember.

DISCOURAGEMENT

Life is filled with unexpected discouragement. So much so, that one must expect it, and be prepared to adapt in order to survive. And working as a musician for the Roman Catholic Church is filled with fully predictable discouragement. The Universal Church is infamous for perpetuating an uphill battle to uphold its own musical and liturgical standards. The very Church that shaped nearly all of Western Music over the course of more than a millennium arguably sold out its musical soul in a few short years—a blink of the eye within its own history.

To compound such a global view, the discouraging news plays out locally quite accordingly. I have learned that no position however high profile or prestigious, no amount of longevity, and no accomplishments no matter how extraordinary render one immune from liturgical, musical, and even pastoral ignorance. Colleagues with decades of experience building up beautiful programs are routinely dismissed in further creative endeavors. I witness colleagues who have suffered physical, no less emotional problems from dysfunctional or even toxic work environments in the Church. Changes in leadership or other aspects of one’s professional environment can lead to serious vulnerability.

But this is life. Everyone deals with it in every profession. And the Church is run by humans as flawed and as sinful as me. It’s a wonder the Church has not imploded despite all its efforts to do so.

Yet the Church survives. Faith not only survives but thrives. That the Church is eternal is perhaps proof enough of the Divine. Is this hope?


HOPE

Despite such a cheerless account, so many musicians remain faithful and loyal servants of the Church throughout a lifetime. They relentlessly persist in making and creating extraordinary beauty in service of God and God alone regardless of challenge. By dogged determination, they will this beauty to come into existence. Despite having their hands tied in various aspects, art for God persists. As a result, prayer persists. Beauty perseveres because they love God and they love the Church. This is hope.

Furthermore, I witness colleagues who are deeply supportive of each other. Why? Because they know no other way. As one great musician said to me, “If we don’t support each other, who will?” This is love. This love breeds hope.

Such hopeful love is infectious. I can always rely on the support of artists—beautiful people who also possess the insight to know the tangible value of beauty.

Despite any moments of discouragement, I can rely on the beauty created by other musicians and artists to elevate my soul. One day may be bleak. But run a choir rehearsal and by the end of it, my spirit is reliably elevated to its highest point. So much so, that I rarely sleep well after a choir rehearsal. I am so energized and filled with joy that sleep is elusive. But hope is not!

I am filled with gratitude, because the love expressed by other musicians who strive for beauty for God, easily overrides the inevitable discouragement and roadblocks one will encounter. We never hope alone. Nor should we delude ourselves that all depends on us. Instead, we are dependent upon God who lifts us us in our darkest moments.


PRAYER

Overcoming discouragement is not just about riding a “high.” Furthermore, prayer is not just about the “buzz.” Prayer must be habitual, relentless, and persistent. Preparing and creating beauty for God is prayer, and prayer is powerful. Prayer is like Simon who helps carry the cross. This power that helps carry the cross is hope.

We each are called to carry a cross. Not that this justifies unjust treatment or enduring an unprofessional environment. However, we are always tested, and as such strengthened to do God’s will at every turn.

To carry a cross out of love for God and for the Church is to proclaim hope. And think not until death to put this hope of Christ down.

Soli Deo gloria

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 Richard J. Clark

Richard J. Clark is the Director of Music of the Archdiocese of Boston and the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.—(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    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
    14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Our choir is on break during the month of July. However, on the feasts website, the chants have been posted for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C), which is this coming Sunday: 6 July 2025.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    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

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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