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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

Holy Communion

Fr. David Friel · May 17, 2012

With very few exceptions, I don’t like movies. I get bored or annoyed or offended by them, and then I fall asleep. One exception is Young Frankenstein. Among my most favorite of my many favorite lines in that film is the classic quip from Igor: “Wait Master! It might be dangerous. . . . You go first.”

I think we’ve all experienced that moment before, when we are metaphorically the first in line to jump out of the airplane and we’d rather someone else go first just to get things started. The awkward moment may have occurred atop a diving board or behind a podium or in the on-deck circle. Igor captures well the sentiment we have all shared at some point, wherever we might have been: the feeling of desperation as we scramble for a much-needed sense of security.

This strikes me not only as a natural reaction, but also as a very supernatural notion. Is it not good for us to have fellowship with those around us, encouraging us onward? Jesus, Himself, says: “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to Myself so that where I am, you also may be. Where I am going, you know the way” (John 14:3-4). Jesus, here, volunteers to be the first one to jump, the opening speaker, and the lead-off batter. In a sense, He makes it easy for us. All we have to do is follow.

I remember having this feeling in the years before I was ordained a deacon. I knew the men in the classes ahead of me well, and I recall experiencing a sense of relief as I watched my friends be ordained. “If they can lay down their lives for Christ and the Church, so can I.”

The experience reversed itself a bit this past weekend. I’ve been a priest for nearly a year, and I had the joy on Saturday of concelebrating the ordination Mass of three more friends to the diaconate. Again, I must confess to experiencing a sense of profound relief. “I’m not alone; there are people coming after me!”

The Lord surely must have felt that way. At the outset of His ministry, He had said to Simon & Andrew, “Come, follow Me” (Mark 1:17). When they went out on Pentecost proclaiming the Kingdom and when “thousands were added to their number” (Acts 2:41), do you not think Jesus would have been exuberant: “I’m not alone; there are people coming after me!”

The experience of these years of friends’ ordinations has taught me something profound about Communion. It is good to have others go before us; and it is good to have others follow behind us. We are never alone. God is really with us. Whether things are dangerous or not, He always goes before us, like the pillar of fire of old.

This kind of Communion serves magnificently to “confirm the brethren” (Luke 22:32). It draws us out of our individualism and situates us in the context of the mystical Body of Christ. This inspires me to “tell the next generation that such is our God, our God forever and always; it is He Who leads us” (Psalm 48:14)!

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

    Cardinal Ranjith on “Active Participation”
    From 2005–2009, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith served as Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. He was considered ‘papabile’ during the last conclave. On 8 December 2008, he wrote this powerful statement concerning Gregorian Chant, participatio actuosa, celebration “ad orientem,” and other subjects. When it comes to the question of what “sacred” means, Monsignor Robert A. Skeris provides a marvelous answer.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Music List” • 22nd in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 31 August 2025, which is the 22nd 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 alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “The Worm That Dieth Not”
    My pastor asked me to write a column for our parish bulletin with reflections on the sacred liturgy and church music. In my most recent article, I discuss “The Worm That Dieth Not.” At this website, you can access it conveniently; simply scroll down to the one dated 31 August 2025.
    —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

“A father cannot introduce mistrust and division among his faithful children. He cannot humiliate some by setting them against others. He cannot ostracize some of his priests. The peace and unity that the Church claims to offer to the world must first be lived within the Church. ”

— Cardinal Sarah (14 August 2021)

Recent Posts

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  • Cardinal Ranjith on “Active Participation”
  • Exec. Director of ICEL weighs in on our series • “PDF comparison chart” included
  • “Music List” • 22nd in Ordinary Time (Year C)
  • Brave Schola Director Posts ‘Live’ Recording

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