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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

Advent vs. the Saints

Fr. David Friel · December 14, 2012

DVENT IS MY FAVORITE SEASON. Bar none, I like Advent better than any other liturgical season. I like the waiting, the stillness, the longing anticipation; I like the interplay of light and darkness, hope and anxiety, immanence and apocalypse. Advent, although so brief, is a season filled with rich meaning and sacramental symbols.

I also love the saints. Some years more than others, however, these two loves seem in conflict with each other. This year, for instance, in less than two full weeks of Advent, we’ve already celebrated eight memorials of the saints. Much as I love the saints, it feels at times like we can’t really get into celebrating Advent.

So today I resolved to celebrate in my heart both St. John of the Cross and Advent by finding something that would link them. I found this excerpt from the saints poem, On the Incarnation:

          Men sang songs
          and angels melodies.
          But God there in the manger
          cried and moaned;
          and those tears were jewels
          the bride brought to the wedding.
          The Mother gazed in sheer wonder
          on such an exchange:
          In God, man’s weeping,
          and in man, gladness;
          to the one and the other
          things usually so strange.

What a remarkable reflection! On Christmas morning, for which we now prepare, Christ will be seen sharing in our sorrows in this valley of tears. Perhaps even more fantastically, if we prepare well, we will be seen sharing in the joyous strains of the heavenly choirs. What beneficent surprise!

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

    “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
    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

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

“I love them that love me: and they that in the morning early watch for me shall find me.”

— Proverbs 8

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