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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

Full and Active Preparation – ora et labora

Richard J. Clark · January 25, 2013

HOSE MOST SKILLED in the art of conversation are not those who speak most frequently, but those who listen. Listening is among the greatest acts of love and compassion. Taking time, energy, and concentration, listening is profoundly active.

But when called to respond, those who actively listen can do so carefully and thoughtfully. In our prayer, do we listen to God, and can we respond to His call thoughtfully?

Blessed John Paul II’s 1998 Ad Limina Address to the Bishops of the United States, On Active Participation in the Liturgy contains extraordinary gems of wisdom including: (emphasis added)

“Active participation certainly means that, in gesture, word, song and service, all the members of the community take part in an act of worship, which is anything but inert or passive. Yet active participation does not preclude the active passivity of silence, stillness and listening: indeed, it demands it. Worshippers are not passive, for instance, when listening to the readings or the homily, or following the prayers of the celebrant, and the chants and music of the liturgy. These are experiences of silence and stillness, but they are in their own way profoundly active.”

With this profound advice, the Holy Father continues:

“In a culture which neither favors nor fosters meditative quiet, the art of interior listening is learned only with difficulty. Here we see how the liturgy, though it must always be properly inculturated, must also be counter-cultural.”.

Interior listening is progressive. Interior listening is relevant. Interior listening is counter-cultural! With unmistakable clarity, the 2007 US Bishop’s Document Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship, further emphasizes: “The importance of silence in the Liturgy cannot be overemphasized.” (no. 118.)

Meanwhile, I spend nearly all of my days in God’s house (though through no special virtue of my own. I am a great sinner, no doubt. Those happy to second this, please take a number. Proceed to the back of the line.) Busy with everything from never-ending administrative tasks to composing new sacred works, meditative prayer and interior listening can still be elusive. While I can count myself as physically present at a dozen or so liturgies per week, I can honestly say that am fully active, present, and prayerful at far fewer, sometimes even none.

For the sacred musician, full and active participation not only includes mindfulness during mass, but demands full and active preparation well in advance. This holds true for all ministers of the liturgy. This holds true for the priest. This holds true for the congregation who must have opportunity for sacred silence in preparation of the Sacred Liturgy. For example, while a prelude may assist the faithful in entering into prayer, it is advisable to leave time for sacred silence before the Entrance Chant.

Meanwhile, long hours and hard work spent in preparation are necessary. Prayer and meditation are necessary, but one can’t learn and teach music through meditation and prayer alone. Prayer and work go hand in hand – ora et labora.

A few years ago Dr. J. Michael McMahon visited St. Cecilia Parish in Boston to give a symposium on “Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship.” On the pragmatic point of hard work in rehearsal, with widened eyes he emphatically declared, “…it is not a performance, but the choir had BETTER perform.”

This statement is a revelation to some. However, one can derive from this great common sense: prepare more fully and actively, so that we may be more present in spirit. Prepare more fully and actively, so that we will be highly mindful of the sacred text we sing. Prepare more fully and actively, in order to be less consumed by myriad technical details. Most importantly, prepare fully and actively so that worshipers can sing and listen with greater ease and attentiveness. Preparation assists not only our own interior listening, but also that of God’s people. Preparation is in itself a noble prayer and an act of love for God and each other.

34. For in the Liturgy God speaks to His people and Christ is still proclaiming His Gospel. And the people reply to God both by song and prayer. (Sacrosanctum Concilium)

Finally, with hard work comes the inevitable fatigue in body and spirit. It is then time to remember stillness, calm, and silence. Listen to God and revel in His presence. I write this for myself, a sinner, who needs to remember this more than anyone who may read this.

Listening to God prepares us for Him. How will we thoughtfully respond to His call?

“And the people reply to God both by song and prayer.”

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: May 11, 2020

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About Richard J. Clark

Richard J. Clark is the Director of Music of the Archdiocese of Boston and the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.—(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

“If you begin by telling a man that in a word like ‘Deus’ the first syllable corresponds to the weak beat, the second to the strong beat of a modern bar, the one thing that will succeed in accomplishing is to bewilder him thoroughly.”

— Father Heinrich Bewerunge writing to Dame Laurentia

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  • New Bulletin Article • “14 September 2025”
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  • Karl Keating • “Canonization Questions”

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