• 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
    • Views from the Choir Loft • “Our Team”
    • Our Editorial Policy
  • 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
    • Father Enemond Massé Manuscripts
  • Miscellaneous
    • Site Map
    • Emporium Kevin Allen
    • Roman Missal, 3rd Edition
    • Saint Jean de Lalande Library
    • Sacred Music Symposium 2023
    • Gradual by Pothier’s Protégé
    • Mass in Honor of Saint Noël Chabanel
  • Donate
Views from the Choir Loft

Mourning Pope Benedict XVI and Trusting the Holy Spirit

Richard J. Clark · March 17, 2013

HILE POPE EMERITUS BENEDICT XVI is alive and well, it occurred to me rather suddenly that there might be something many of us are feeling, but may not know it. We are mourning his loss. It is very much like a dear friend or loved one who has moved far away. It is deeply sad. We have had no time to mourn or grieve; the Conclave was scheduled sooner than if a pope had died.

For sacred musicians, Pope Benedict XVI was (literally) a godsend, sent to us at the right time. There will likely not be another pontiff like him again, one with such passion for sung liturgy. He led by example and not by decree, yet he wrote and spoke knowledgably and prayerfully about liturgical music in a way that exuded natural authority. The evidence of his leadership is not only seen, it can be HEARD.

With the excitement of the Conclave over, many musicians are understandably expressing a great deal of anxiety regarding the unknowns about Pope Francis. Perhaps this anxiety says more about us that is does about the pope. But still, we are human and the apprehension is natural.

That being said, do we not trust the Holy Spirit? Did not the Holy Spirit guide Pope Benedict in his decision to resign? Did not millions of the faithful pray for the Holy Spirit to guide the cardinals, human and imperfect as they may be? Did not the cardinals themselves pray for guidance? Regardless, the Holy Spirit has been present throughout this historic time. God’s thoughts and ways are not our thoughts and ways. We must obediently accept the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

As for those of us who work “in the trenches” – in parishes – the support of the pope and wisdom of Sacrosanctum Concilium often do not impact us, quite sadly. But whether we work in a supportive environment not, it is the support of the faithful that matters. Even with a supportive pope or a supportive pastor, we can’t do much on the local level without the people’s consent. (Abraham Lincoln was keenly aware of the absolute necessity of obtaining pubic support to accomplish moral justice.) So, we still must catechize the faithful, sometimes more by example and less by words. While striving for the ideal, it is at times wise to give up something in order to gain important strides elsewhere, lest we are left with nothing. (This is also smart politics.) Truth is the daughter of time, and in time, a well-catechized congregation will be hungry for authentic sacred prayer. The Church’s vast treasury of sacred music belongs to the people! This is the truth that will bear out.

A very wise friend (whose work most of your know and respect) mentioned that Benedict’s resignation was like the moment he realized his parents could no longer fight his battles. He had to fight his own battles. And so must we.

The fire of the Spirit has already been lit under so many. The mustard seed has been planted. (The train left the station a long time ago!) The creative output from so many wonderful composers is extraordinary. (E.g., Some of us of late have been receiving extraordinarily beautiful choral settings of the propers from Chris Mueller every week!) So MANY composers are so generous. Are they going to stop composing now? I think not. If Theodore Marier could accomplish his great work in the 1970’s, than so can we in a post-Benedict era. Theodore Marier was not initially happy with some of the liturgical changes in Vatican II. However, he rolled up his sleeves and got to work when everyone else was taking a completely different direction. Let us be mindful of his leadership by example that started in a local parish.

Like the apostles, we may feel afraid and locked away in the upper room (while the women witnessed the empty tomb.) Like the apostles, the Church is left with the Holy Spirit to guide it.

We must also accept that the Holy Spirit brought us Pope Francis for VERY good reasons that are not yet revealed to us. Pope Francis is here to be the servant of the Church. In a few short days, he has also done a number of simple things that have spoken volumes about humility and simplicity. In less than a week he has led by example. Perhaps this comes naturally to him. Remember that the very first thing he asked was that we pray for him and that we pray for Pope Benedict. We must continue to pray for Pope Francis. Viva il Papa!

John 15:16: You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.

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

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

Subscribe

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

* indicates required

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).

Primary Sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

    William Byrd • Simple “Agnus Dei” Canon
    Time flies! Back in July, I posted a PDF setting of a perfect canon by William Byrd (d. 1623) arranged as an AGNUS DEI for three voices. Last Sunday, we sang that arrangement with our volunteer choir. To hear a ‘live’ recording of it, click here (Mp3). In my humble opinion, this would be a perfect piece for a choir just beginning to experiment with polyphony.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Glory To God” • (For Choir + Congregation)
    I wish to thank everyone for the nice comments I received vis-à-vis my Glory To God setting for Choir & Congregation. A gentleman with a musical doctorate from Indiana University wrote: “Love this setting so much. And I will pray, as you asked, for your return to composition more fully. You are very very good.” A female choir director wrote: “I love your harmonizations, your musicality, and the wonderful interplay you have with dissonance and consonance in your music. So fun to listen to, and great for intellect, heart, and soul!” A young woman from California wrote: “Thank you for releasing your new Glory To God in honor of Saint Noel Chabanel. I'm enjoying reading through the various parts and listening to your recordings.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    William Byrd • “Mass for Five Voices”
    Our volunteer choir is learning the “Sanctus” from William Byrd’s Mass for Five Voices. You can hear a short excerpt (recorded last Sunday) but please ignore the sound of babies crying: Mp3 recording. We still have work to do—but we’re on the right track. Once we have some of the tuning issues fixed, I desire to use it as an example proving volunteers can sing complicated polyphony. — One of our volunteer choirs also sang that SANCTUS on 24 September 2023, and you can listen to how that came out.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“In my opinion, there should be reached the aim that all priests could continue to use the old Missal.”

— ‘Cardinal Ratzinger, Letter to Wolfgang Waldstein (14 December 1976)’

Recent Posts

  • Gregorian Rhythm Wars • “Nuances of Nuances” (28 Sep 2023)
  • William Byrd • Simple “Agnus Dei” Canon
  • Active Participation or Not?
  • (Not Kidding) • Does Singing for Mass Fulfill One’s Obligation to Attend Mass?
  • A Brief Addendum

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.