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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

Acts of the Apostles

Fr. David Friel · April 17, 2013

OUND UP WITH THE CELEBRATION OF EASTER is the reading of the Acts of the Apostles. It’s fascinating to me to read, year after year, about the initial fervor and drama of the Christian way. Among the most evocative episodes in the book is the scene wherein Stephen debates people from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, & Asia—folks from all corners of the world. Stephen’s words were so persuasive that the people “could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke” (Acts 6:10).

How do we reconcile that scene with our personal experience? Surely, we all know people who have heard the Gospel message but who have not been overwhelmed by it. Think of the Millennials who were raised by good, faithful parents but who have grown apathetic toward faith. Think of all the students who graduate from 8 or 12 or 16 years of Catholic education only to drift away from the Church. Think of the many catechumens & candidates who come through RCIA but fade back into oblivion after Pentecost. The faith was taught to them, but it wasn’t well received. How do we deal with this reality when we compare it to Stephen’s experience?

We ought not to feel inadequate if our children or friends or classmates have not swooned over our evangelatory efforts. It is a teaching of the Church that we receive grace only insofar as we are disposed to receive it. This helps to explain why it’s not possible to force faith upon anyone. Faith must be accepted. The closed doors of the hardened heart must be broken open if faith is to find a home. No mere man has the power to throw open the doors of another person’s heart, no matter how charming his rhetoric.

There are, however, tools one can employ to aid the process of conversion. The most compelling things in the world are Truth, Goodness, and Beauty, which philosophy dubs the “Transcendentals.” These three ideals transcend the things of earth and represent the universal aspirations of humanity. Every human heart longs for that which is true & good & beautiful. Nothing we experience in life is more compelling than truth that is taught clearly, goodness that is demonstrated sincerely, and beauty that is revealed intimately. These things can make stiff hearts supple, better disposed to receive the wisdom and Spirit of Christ.

There is something appealing about truths that are systematically laid out for us. There is something heartwarming about goodness that is freely given. There is something vital about beauty that is recognizable in art & music & architecture & liturgy & life.

While we cannot force faith upon others, we can strive to teach the truth clearly, demonstrate sincere goodness, and live life beautifully. By doing these things well, the witness of our very lives can become a convincing sign of the Kingdom.

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

    “Music List” • 19th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I prepared for the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time (10 August 2025). 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 feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    This Sunday’s Communion Antiphon
    This coming Sunday—10 August 2025—is the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). The COMMUNION ANTIPHON is really gorgeous, and two of its features are worth mentioning. First of all, the Gospel reading assigned is from Saint Luke, whereas the the antiphon—although it matches the account—comes from Saint Matthew. (If anyone can point to a similar example, please notify me.) Furthermore, if you look at the authentic Gregorian Chant version posted on the feasts website, you’ll notice that it’s MODE III but ends on the ‘wrong’ note. A comparable instance of such a ‘transposed’ chant would be KYRIE IV.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Using “Ye” Vs. “You” Correctly
    Using “Ye” vs. “You” is rather tricky, because it depends upon which era one is trying to recreate—if that makes any sense. In other words, the rules haven’t always been the same for these two. Nevertheless, Father Philip George Caraman (the legendary Jesuit scholar) gives us a masterclass using Saint Luke’s Gospel. Father Caraman was close friends with Monsignor Ronald Knox, Evelyn Waugh, and Sir Alec Guinness.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    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
    Antiphons Don’t Match?
    A reader wants to know why the Entrance and Communion antiphons in certain publications deviate from what’s prescribed by the GRADUALE ROMANUM published after Vatican II. Click here to read our answer. The short answer is: the Adalbert Propers were never intended to be sung. They were intended for private Masses only (or Masses without music). The “Graduale Parvum,” published by the John Henry Newman Institute of Liturgical Music in 2023, mostly uses the Adalbert Propers—but sometimes uses the GRADUALE text: e.g. Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (29 June).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“However well equipped and trained a choir may be, all its good points may be obscured by an unsuitable accompaniment. In fact the organist can, in a large measure, either make or mar his choir. It must be owned, however, that the accompanist of Plainsong has to contend with many difficulties. […] The purist will still find his best enjoyment of the chant when it is sung unaccompanied, but to most a becoming accompaniment gives an added charm.”

— Benedictines of Stanbrook (1905)

Recent Posts

  • Is this what the new “Youth Mass” looks like?
  • “Music List” • 19th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
  • This Sunday’s Communion Antiphon
  • Using “Ye” Vs. “You” Correctly
  • Installment #3 • “Serious Problems with the Lectionary Translation”

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