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Corpus Christi Watershed

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

A Reminder

Fr. David Friel · September 21, 2011

Just the other day, I met my first niece for the first time. It was an awesome experience. Like most babies, my niece captivated the attention of the whole house. We sat around our living room, charmed by every sound, every little movement she made.

There was a word that was used a number of times as we sat there together. It’s a word that people don’t use much—a word that I seldom say. But we couldn’t help ourselves from saying, over and over again: “She’s precious. She’s just precious.”

How often have you said that about newborn babies in your own families? It’s the perfect word, isn’t it? We don’t use it much. In fact, we almost reserve it to describe the indescribable beauty of a newborn baby. Children are “precious” because they are a gift beyond price. No amount of money could ever buy so great a gift. Scripture is clear that God alone is the One “Who gives life to all things” (1 Tim 6:13). I have often held signs proclaiming, “Life Is Precious,” while praying the rosary out in the streets, but hearing that word over and over again the other night made me think.

It made me think that there’s really only one other context in which I ever use the word “precious.” Outside of describing newborn babies, the only regular usage of the word “precious” I can think of is to describe the Precious Blood of Christ. What an incredible truth that reveals!

There’s something ineffably marvelous about a baby—its life and vitality! And there’s something even more ineffably marvelous about Christ’s Blood, which was shed to make possible our life! As the First Letter of Saint Peter testifies: “It was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from [your empty way of life] but with the precious blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:18-19).

We plead for unborn children and agonize over aborted children for this reason: because they were purchased at a price—the inestimable price of Christ’s Blood. The shedding of His Precious Blood for each one of us has made us, in turn, precious.

Seeing my niece was a stunning reminder for me of God’s tremendous love. She reminded me that every person ever born has shared in the image and likeness of God. She reminded me that every person ever born has been loved by God. She reminded me that every person ever born has been precious.

And the same is true of all the people who, sadly, were never born. May our reverence for the Precious Blood of Christ be an inspiration to the world for how to reverence one another!

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 Fr. David Friel

Ordained in 2011, Father Friel is a priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and serves as Director of Liturgy at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary. —(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    A Nice Hymn In Spanish
    In my humble opinion, this is a really beautiful hymn in Spanish. If I practice diligently, I’ll be able to pronounce all the words properly. If you’re someone who’s interested in obtaining a melody only version (suitable for your congregational ORDER OF WORSHIP) you can steal that from this.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Music List” • 21st in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Our choir returns on Sunday, 24 August 2025. Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for it, which is the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the spectacular feasts website. When it comes to the feast of the Assumption (15 August 2025), I have uploaded the music list for that Mass—but not the “bi-lingual” Mass in the evening (Spanish, Latin, and English) which has completely different music.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Entrance Chant” • 21st Sunday Ordin. Time
    You can download the ENTRANCE ANTIPHON in English for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) which is coming up on 24 August 2025. Corresponding to the vocalist score is this free organ accompaniment. It’s set in a melancholy mode, but if you heard my choir’s female voices singing it your soul would be uplifted beyond belief. If you’re someone who enjoys rehearsal videos, this morning I tried to sing it while simultaneously accompanying my voice on the pipe organ.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    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
    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

Random Quote

The “jolly good guy” kind of pastor can be an irritant. […] Ministers of the Gospel are not used car salesmen whose heartiness is a mile wide and an inch deep. A bemused layman told me that a bishop joked with him, but turned away like a startled deer when asked an important question…

— Fr. George Rutler (7 August 2017)

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