Views from the Choir Loft

Why Pope Won’t Fire Marini: “Put the Treasure of Tradition to Use”

Corpus Christi Watershed · May 28, 2013

S WE HAVE SAID IN THE PAST, we have been exceedingly reluctant to post the various internet rumors regarding Pope Francis. As we have explained, this is due to the advice given by a priest who worked for three (3) popes: “Give no heed to the gibberish you are reading in the press about Pope Francis by totally unqualified journalists.”

We have tried to follow Father’s advice. However, if the following article is true, readers might find it interesting.

* * Why Pope Won’t Fire Marini: “Put the Treasure of Tradition to Use” [url]

An excerpt:

Then was the turn of Monsignor Domenico Padovano, the Bishop of Conversano-Monopoli, who told his clergy that the Apulian bishops have complained to the Pope. But what led the bishops of the southern Italian region to complain? About induced abortion, the collapose of the faith, divorce, corruption, organized crime causing suffering, indiscipline and the “completely normal” spread of heresies among theologians and the people? No, nothing like that. The bishops had, so the Archbishop of Padovano, complained to the Pope that the participants in the traditional Mass are causing a split in the Church.

Following the presentation by Bishop Padovano, they wished for Pope Francis to watch over extreme positions of certain traditionalist groups, but also – and probably the most surprising for the plaintiffs – to make use themselves of the treasure of tradition and they should let it live together in the Church with the renewal.

To explain this last point more precisely, the Pope used an example.

Behold: You say that my papal master of ceremonies [Msgr Guido Marini] is of a traditionalist character. And many have asked me about my choice to remove him from office and be replaced. I said no, just that I prefer him to even benefit me by his traditional formation and at the same time, so he is formed in the same way by my emancipated formation.

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

“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

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

“I am now old but I was young when I was received into the Church. I was not at all attracted by the splendour of her great ceremonies—which the Protestants could well counterfeit. Of the extraneous attractions of the Church which most drew me was the spectacle of the priest and his server at Low Mass, stumping up to the altar without a glance to discover how many or how few he had in his congregation; a craftsman and his apprentice; a man with a job which he alone was qualified to do.”

— Evelyn Waugh (7 August 1964)