• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

“What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too…” Pope Benedict XVI (7 July 2007)

  • Our Team
  • Pew Resources
    • Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal
    • Jogues Illuminated Missal
    • Campion Missal, 3rd Edition
  • MUSICAL WEBSITES
    • René Goupil Gregorian Chant
    • Noël Chabanel Psalms
    • Nova Organi Harmonia (2,279 pages)
    • Lalemant Polyphonic
    • Saint Antoine Daniel KYRIALE
  • Miscellaneous
    • Site Map
    • Emporium Kevin Allen
    • Roman Missal, 3rd Edition
    • Saint Jean de Lalande Library
    • Sacred Music Symposium 2023
  • Donate
Views from the Choir Loft

Biography • Father David M. Friel

Fr. David Friel · January 10, 2013

EV. DAVID M. FRIEL, STD is a priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, ordained in May 2011. He presently serves as Vocation Director for the Archdiocese and holds a doctorate in liturgical theology from The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. He studied philosophy & theology at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary (Overbrook), where he also served as organist, cantor, and liturgical Master of Ceremonies. While there, he studied organ under Dr. Theodore Kiefer. His music has been published by CanticaNOVA Publications, and his Mass in Honor of St. John Neumann is available online through the Creative Commons. Upon ordination, Father Friel served for five years as Parochial Vicar at Saint Anselm Church in Northeast Philadelphia. During that time, he also served several communities of Catholic young adults, coached CYO basketball and volleyball, and assisted the archdiocesan vocations office.

Father Friel is a member of the Church Music Association of America and the Society for Catholic Liturgy. Among his research interests are aesthetics, sacred music (particularly sequences), the feast of Christ the King, and twentieth-century liturgical reform. His master’s thesis centered on the Proprium Missae (the chanted propers of the Mass), while, in his licentiate thesis, he studied the origins and theology of the term progressiva sollemnitas (the principle of “progressive solemnity”). His doctoral dissertation explores the liturgical theology of the feast of Christ the King.

Born in Bethlehem, PA, Father Friel grew up in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish. He enjoys backpacking, visiting national parks, running, reading, and sports of all kinds. Father Friel lives in Philadelphia and serves a number of area parishes on Sundays and feast days. Father Friel may be contacted via email.

DMF1
DMF2
DMF3
DMF4
DMF5
DMF6
Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles, Biographies Last Updated: November 22, 2021

Subscribe

It greatly helps us if you subscribe to our mailing list!

* indicates required

About Fr. David Friel

Ordained in 2011, Father Friel served as Parochial Vicar at Saint Anselm Church in Northeast Philly before earning a doctorate in liturgical theology at The Catholic University of America. He presently serves as Vocation Director for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and teaches liturgy at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.—(Read full biography).

Primary Sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

    PDF • “For General Use Until Advent”
    If you conduct a volunteer choir, you might consider using this Simple Piece #40273 (“Adésto Sáncta Trínitas”) which can be used during the rest of the liturgical season until Advent. It's based on the well known hymn tune: OLD HUNDREDTH. Rehearsal videos are available at #40691. A live recording of #40273 (“Adésto Sáncta Trínitas”) by a volunteer choir is here (#40065).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Introit • (This Coming Sunday)
    Our volunteer choir appreciates training videos, so here's my attempt at recording “Exáudi Dómine Vocem Meam,” which is the INTROIT for this coming Sunday. This coming Sunday is Dominica Post Ascensionem (“Sunday after the feast of the Ascension”). It is sung according to the official rhythm of the Catholic Church.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Volunteer Choir Attempts “Kýrie Eléison”
    My volunteer choir attempted the polyphonic KYRIE that will be sung at this year's Sacred Music Symposium. If you're interested, you can listen to the live recording from last Sunday. The piece is based on the ancient plainchant hymn melody: Ave Maris Stella. Polyphony like this is truly intricate and wonderful. It reminds me of the quote by Artur Schnabel: “music that's greater than it can be performed.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“The following question is asked by the Most Reverend Lord Bishop of the Diocese of Chur: May this Diocese’s ancient custom be continued of having the Celebrant in Sung Masses (excepting more solemn Masses) intone the Credo and when he is finished reciting it going on immediately to the offertory and finishing it while the credo is being sung by the choir?” (Dubium of Dec 1909)

— 11 December 1909

Recent Posts

  • “Reverent Catholic Mass Finder” (Website)
  • Powerful Images • “Father John Brébeuf”
  • “Best & Worst Responses” • This Survey Was Responded To By 300+ Church Musicians
  • “Offertory Verses and Why You Should Sing Them” (Includes PDF Download)
  • “Colorado Sacred Music Conference” August 9-10 (2023) • Highlands Ranch, CO

Subscribe

Subscribe

* indicates required

Copyright © 2023 Corpus Christi Watershed · Isaac Jogues on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Corpus Christi Watershed is a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to exploring and embodying as our calling the relationship of religion, culture, and the arts. This non-profit organization employs the creative media in service of theology, the Church, and Christian culture for the enrichment and enjoyment of the public.