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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

Humility

Fr. David Friel · February 17, 2013

AVE YOU EVER HAD A LONG DAY? Maybe it was a rough day at work or a tough day at school. Maybe you were sick or tired. At the end of a long day, you only want a couple of things. You might want to sit down and take off your shoes. You might want to take a hot, relaxing shower. And, more than likely, you’ll want something to eat. If you’ve ever been in that position, then you know something of what it was like for Jesus during His temptation in the desert.

St. Luke tells us that Jesus hiked from the Jordan River, where He was baptized, into the desert. He spent forty days and forty nights there, in the wilderness, and He undertook a fast the entire time. Imagine how hungry you would be if you fasted for forty days and forty nights!

At the end of that time, Satan walks onto the scene. What does he say? “If you were really God, You could turn stones into bread to eat.” Of course, the amazing truth is that, yes, Jesus could actually do that! He could turn stones into bread very easily. But He won’t do it. He refuses. Why? Because Jesus wants to experience everything we experience as humans—even hunger. The devil’s temptation is cunning, but Jesus refuses to satisfy His stomach so that He could share in our suffering.

What does the devil try next? He says, “If you were God, You could throw Yourself off a cliff and command the angels to catch You.” Again, yes, indeed, He could. But He again chooses not to. Jesus has lots of power, but the purpose of His power is not to impress people or merely entertain them. So, again, Jesus shows His true strength by actually showing restraint. He shows His true power by withholding His power.

But the devil comes back once more. This time, he leads Jesus up a high mountain. One of the things I love to do is go camping and backpacking, so I’ve had the opportunity to climb numerous mountains. If you’ve ever done it yourself, then you know it’s an amazing experience. You may think you’re in the middle of nowhere, but when you stand on the very top of a tall mountain, you can see towns & villages & cities for a hundred miles or more. It’s easy to feel like you’re the “King of the Hill.” It’s easy to feel like you have power over everything you can see.

That is the false sense of power that Satan uses to tempt Jesus. He says, “If you just worship me, I’ll give you power over all the kingdoms of the world.” I suspect we’ve all had that very same temptation come our way. When their children are very young, parents have lots of control over what they do and what they wear and what they eat. As fun & beautiful as it is to watch children grow, it is hard to let go of our control and give them greater independence. Or maybe sometime you received a promotion at work. The more people there are below us, the more tempting it is to think that we have power over them. It can make us feel good when we think we have minions. But that’s not what the best leaders are like, is it? The best parents and bosses you’ve ever known aren’t the ones who lord their power over you. They’re the ones who seek to serve—the ones who look out for the best interests of their children and their employees.

Didn’t we see such a great example earlier this week, when our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, announced his decision to resign as our Holy Father. The pope has authority and exercises leadership over more than a billion people across the globe. It must be tempting to hold on to that “power.” But, in a great act of courage and humility, Pope Benedict has chosen to set that power aside, for the greater good of the Church.

Truly good leaders are humble. They are servants. The Church has taught for centuries that humility is the root virtue. Without humility, in other words, it’s impossible to demonstrate any other virtue. It’s impossible to show courage or patience or wisdom if we do not possess humility. It’s impossible to show loyalty or purity or generosity if we don’t first show forth humility.

We are right at the beginning of Lent. What a great thing it would be if we could all grow in humility throughout this holy season. In our prayers & fasting & almsgiving, let’s ask for the grace to be inspired: by the humble example of the good parents and employers we’ve known; by the humble example of our Holy Father; and by the example Jesus Christ, Who is the very model of humility.

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

I want to say one thing to you strongly, especially today: virginity for the Kingdom of God is not a “no,” it is a “yes!”

— Pope Francis (10/4/2013)

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