Views from the Choir Loft

Not a movie. This was real.

Richard J. Clark · April 15, 2013

RAY FOR BOSTON. Trying to digest the magnitude of the explosions in Boston is difficult for everyone.

This attack happened within my parish. St. Cecilia Parish in the Back Bay section of Boston, is around the block from the finish line of the Boston Marathon. Additionally, several beautiful historic churches literally surround the finish line. So where is God in all of this?

The screams captured from the Boston Globe video capture real terror and fear. Not a movie. This was real.

We await word to hear from loved ones and those in our parish community to know of their safety. Authorities have urged people to stay home. This isn’t over yet. Early reports indicate that among the dead may be a small innocent child. So, again, where is God in all of this horror?

Today a friend stated, “Forgiveness is hard today. Can’t stop crying.” Truth, love, justice, forgiveness and peace are all connected. Forgiveness is the hard road ahead for Boston and for all those who carry a heavy cross. We must pray for each other, so that like Simon we may help each other carry the cross.

So where there is charity and love, God is THERE. God can be found everywhere in Boston.

News of runners changing course, running to Massachusetts General Hospital to donate blood is where God can be found. Those opening their homes to house and comfort strangers is where God can be found. The outpouring of love, concern—living out the Gospel—is proof of God’s presence in Boston. God is THERE.

After 9/11 we all saw the healing power of love that followed the most horrific attack this country knew. People WANTED to help. Right now in Boston there is the same desire to help any way possible.

Please pray for God’s protection and guidance. Pray for the intercession of Mary our Blessed Mother who knows great suffering. Please pray for those in great need of comfort and especially for those in need of God’s mercy, love, and forgiveness at this time.

Psalm 85: 11-12:
“Love and truth will meet;
justice and peace will kiss.
Truth will spring from the earth;
justice will look down from heaven.”

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

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).

A Nice Hymn In Spanish

In my humble opinion, this is a really beautiful hymn in Spanish. If I practice diligently, I’ll be able to pronounce all the words properly. If you’re someone who’s interested in obtaining a melody only version (suitable for your congregational ORDER OF WORSHIP) you can steal that from this.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Music List” • 21st in Ordinary Time (Year C)

Our choir returns on Sunday, 24 August 2025. Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for it, which is the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the spectacular feasts website. When it comes to the feast of the Assumption (15 August 2025), I have uploaded the music list for that Mass—but not the “bi-lingual” Mass in the evening (Spanish, Latin, and English) which has completely different music.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Entrance Chant” • 21st Sunday Ordin. Time

You can download the ENTRANCE ANTIPHON in English for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) which is coming up on 24 August 2025. Corresponding to the vocalist score is this free organ accompaniment. It’s set in a melancholy mode, but if you heard my choir’s female voices singing it your soul would be uplifted beyond belief. If you’re someone who enjoys rehearsal videos, this morning I tried to sing it while simultaneously accompanying my voice on the pipe organ.

—Jeff Ostrowski

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

Pope Pius XII Hymnal?

Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.

—Corpus Christi Watershed

“Hybrid” Chant Notation?

Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.

—Corpus Christi Watershed