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Corpus Christi Watershed

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

Easter Monday

Fr. David Friel · April 1, 2013

ASTER MONDAY is a good day not to bug your pastor (unless, of course, someone is in need of the Sacraments). After the rush of Lent & Triduum liturgies, Easter Monday is an unofficial though widely embraced opportunity for clergy types to decompress and recharge. It is a necessary day of rest for many priests, who like to spend the day quietly or even alone.

I did just that thing today by driving up to the Delaware Water Gap, a gorgeous National Recreation Area in the Pocono mountain region of northeastern Pennsylvania. My goal was to climb Mt. Minsi, which I did under the mantle of very pleasant weather (high 50’s, partly cloudy). Why? Because leisure is essential to our souls. In the words of one of my favorite philosophers: “Work is the means of life; leisure the end. Without the end, work is meaningless —a means to a means to a means . . . and so on forever” (Roger Scruton).

A great deal of my childhood was spent out in the woods, leisurely hiking and camping. My hike today reminded me of how deeply formative those times were on my body, mind, and spirit. In a real sense, although I first met God in my parish church, I came to know Him in the woods of Pennsylvania and New Hampshire and Virginia and New Mexico. God speaks in so many ways, not least through the marvelous beauty of His creation.

When I reached the summit, I took my breviary out of my pack to pray Sext (Midday Prayer). Here is what I prayed:

O LORD, our God, how majestic is Your name through all the earth!
Your majesty is praised above the heavens.
From the mouths of children and of babes, You have found praise to foil Your enemy,
to silence the foe and the rebel.
When I see the heavens, the work of Your fingers,
the moon and the stars which You arranged,
what is man that You should keep him in mind,
the son of man that You care for him?
Yet, You have made him little lower than the angels;
with glory and honor You crowned him,
gave him power over the works of Your hands.
You put all things under his feet.
All of them, sheep and oxen, yes, even the savage beasts,
birds of the air, and fish of the sea that make their way through the waters.
O LORD, our God, how majestic is Your name through all the earth!

Today, I give glory to God not only for His triumphant Resurrection, but also for His kind hands, which have fashioned a world that reveals His majesty and permits true leisure. May God be praised!

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

“Naturally the accompaniment of the organ is merely tolerated during the office of the dead, but in fact, in nearly every parish this toleration has become a habit.”

— Henri Potiron, 1958

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