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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

The Tradition Continues! • Seven Organists Perform

Richard J. Clark · October 18, 2019

F YOU MISSED Leo Abbott’s rededication recital, here is another opportunity to hear him and several other wonderful organists perform at Boston’s Cathedral of the Holy Cross on Sunday, October 27, 2019 at 3:00pm. This will be the Thirtieth Annual Cathedral Organ Benefit Recital—a remarkable streak!

For decades, Leo Abbott, Music Director and Organist Emeritus of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, has very generously invited multiple organists to play on fundraising recitals. These concerts were among my fondest memories, enjoying the camaraderie of fellow organists and those passionate about the music. This tradition must continue!

SEVEN ORGANISTS WILL PERFORM:
Carson Cooman composer-in-residence
The Memorial Church, Harvard University
Mark Dwyer The Church of the Advent
Dr. Janet E. Hunt Saint John’s Seminary, Boston
Peter Krasinski international concert organist
Rosalind Mohnsen Immaculate Conception, Malden
AND
Leo D. Abbott & Richard J. Clark Cathedral of the Holy Cross

• SUGGESTED DONATION: $20 | $10 for AGO Members, Seniors, and students Donations are gratefully accepted for the ongoing maintenance and restoration of the Cathedral’s historic E. & G. G. Hook and Hastings Opus 801 (1875)

• Download the concert poster here.

• Click here for specifications of the 101-rank E. & G. G. Hook & Hastings Organ, Opus 801

CONSIDER DONATING TO THE CATHEDRAL ORGAN RESTORATION FUND!
You can now donate online to the Cathedral Organ Restoration Fund here. You will receive an automated letter for tax purposes. You may also set up regular giving to assist with maintenance and tuning. Even $10 per month is a big help! This Fund was established by Leo Abbott in 1987 in memory of his father, Arthur J. Abbott.

ITH THE REMOVAL of carpeting and installation of marble and stone floors, the acoustic of the cathedral has been transformed. As such, the instrument is now being heard as it has never been in our lifetimes. Msgr. Kevin O’Leary’s opening remarks, prior to Leo Abbott’s recent rededication recital, was interrupted with wild applause. He could not finish this sentence: “During the renovation of the Cathedral, every bit of carpeting was removed and replaced with marble and stone…” Applause burst out here for what seemed like a few minutes! He continued: “…allowing this instrument to sing God’s praises more fully and gloriously.”

Soli Deo Gloria

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Pipe Organ 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

    “Sanctus VIII” • Organ Accompaniment
    A few days ago, I composed this organ harmonization for SANCTUS VIII. This Mass is traditionally called Missa de ángelis or “Mass of the angels.” In French, it is Messe de Anges. You can evaluate my attempt to simultaneously accompany myself on the pipe organ (click here) while singing the melody. My parish is currently singing this setting.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Music List • (5th Sund. Ordinary Time)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for this coming Sunday, 8 February 2026, which is the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. You will probably notice it isn’t as ‘complete’ or ‘spiffy’ as usual, owing to some difficulties which took place this week.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF • “Communion” (5th Sunday in Ordin.)
    The COMMUNION ANTIPHON for this coming Sunday, 8 February 2026—which is the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)—is truly delightful. You can download the musical score completely free of charge. This text will be familiar to altar boys, because it’s PSALM 42. The Feder Missal makes the following claim about that psalm: “A hymn of a temple musician from Jerusalem: he is an exile in a heathen land, and he longs for the holy city and his ministry in the Temple there. The Church makes his words her own.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “Reminder” — Month of Febr. (2026)
    On a daily basis, I speak to people who don’t realize we publish a free newsletter (although they’ve followed our blog for years). We have no endowment, no major donors, no savings, and refuse to run annoying ads. As a result, our mailing list is crucial to our survival. It couldn’t be easier to subscribe! Just scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Chart • “Plainsong Rhythm”
    I will go to my grave without understanding the lack of curiosity so many people have about the rhythmic modifications made by Dom André Mocquereau. For example, how can someone examine this single sheet comparison chart and at a minimum not be curious about the differences? Dom Mocquereau basically creates a LONG-SHORT LONG-SHORT rhythmic pattern—in spite of enormous and overwhelming manuscript evidence to the contrary. That’s why some scholars referred to his method as “Neo-Mensuralist” or “Neo-Mensuralism.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF • “O Come All Ye Faithful” (Simplified)
    I admire the harmonization of “Adeste Fideles” by David Willcocks (d. 2015), who served as director of the Royal College of Music (London, England). In 2025, I was challenged to create a simplified arrangement for organists incapable of playing the authentic version at tempo. The result was this simplified keyboard arrangement (PDF download) based on the David Willcocks version of “O Come All Ye Faithful.” Feel free to play through it and let me know what you think.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“As often as possible they gathered together the children of the village and sat them down in the cabin. Father Brébeuf would put on a surplice and biretta and chant the Our Father, which Father Daniel had translated into Huron rhymes, and the children would chant it after him. Next, he taught them the sign of the cross, the Hail Mary, the Apostles’ Creed, and the Commandments.”

— Biography of St. Jean de Brébeuf

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  • “Sanctus VIII” • Organ Accompaniment
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  • Gorgeous Image of Monks Singing!
  • “Let the Choir Have a Voice” • Jeff Ostrowski’s Essay on Choral Music in the Catholic Mass

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