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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

Eating from Above

Fr. David Friel · August 22, 2012

I was talking to a group of high school students the other day, and I could tell how excited they were to go back to school . . . not at all! Some of them were talking about having biology this year, which reminded me of when I had biology class in freshman year.

I loved the class, partially because Mr. Franchella was an awesome teacher and partially because of the anticipation of the fourth quarter. My buddies and I spent the whole first three quarters anxiously awaiting the fourth quarter and the exciting opportunity to dissect a frog.

I guess I learned a thing or two in the first three quarters, too. One thing, in particular, that I remember is this fact: every organism needs to obtain energy in order to live.
• So grass, for instance, gets its energy through photosynthesis.
• Then, some animals, like grasshoppers, eat the grass.
• Then rats get their energy by eating grasshoppers.
• And then snakes eat the rats.
• And then, finally, hawks eat the snakes.
I think we called that a “food chain” when we were in bio class. Creatures higher on the food chain get their energy by consuming those lower on the chain.

We, as humans, are organisms, so we need to get our energy from somewhere. To some degree, we accomplish that through eating various minerals, plants, and animals. But, there is something unique about us as humans. Whereas eating meat and vegetables is sufficient for many other animals, that kind of eating is never really sufficient for mankind. If we humans only ever eat that which falls below us on the food chain, we may be physically fed, but we’ll still be malnourished.

Humans—and humans alone—are given the great privilege of consuming not only that which falls below us on the food chain, but also that which sits above us on the food chain. We are given, namely, the gift of the Eucharist. We can eat cows & pigs & chickens & turkeys & carrots & potatoes all we want. But we will never be satisfied if we do not eat “the Bread that came down from heaven.”

The Lord says so much, Himself: “Unless you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink His Blood, you do not have Life within you.” The Lord gives us the antidote to all our hunger, for “[His] Flesh is true food, and [His] Blood is true drink.” The Eucharist is not a symbol, nor is it a metaphor. It truly is the sacred Body and precious Blood of Jesus. Jesus says to us, “Just as . . . I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on Me will have Life because of Me.”

As I learned in biology class, every organism needs to get its energy from somewhere. If we are to be filled with true energy—with Life, Itself—we must eat not only from below, but from above. God lowers Himself to become our very Food. May we find our deepest nourishment and our highest energy in the unfathomable gift of the Eucharist!

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

    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 Catholic Church holds it better for the sun and moon to drop from heaven, for the earth to fail, and for all the many millions on it to die of starvation in extremest agony, as far as temporal affliction goes, than that one soul, I will not say, should be lost, but should commit one single venial sin, should tell one willful untruth, or should steal one poor farthing without excuse.”

— Saint John Henry Newman (1865)

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