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Views from the Choir Loft

Fortnight for Freedom — Cardinal O’Malley’s Homily

Richard J. Clark · July 3, 2013

S THE FORTNIGHT FOR FREEDOM comes to a close, we are reminded of the timeless and universal struggle for freedom of religious expression, freedom that comes from God alone. I recently had the privilege of leading the music for the Fortnight of Freedom’s opening mass in the Archdiocese of Boston. In his homily, His Eminence Seán Cardinal O’Malley made reference to President John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address in which he said,“…belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God.”

Yet, as the founding Fathers of the United States of America fought for religious freedom, we thank all those who continue to fight for our freedom today. These heroes provide the very freedom that we enjoy and hold dear.

NTERESTINGLY, I HAPPEN TO LIVE about a mile away from “Peacefield,” the historic home of John and Abigail Adams. In 1870, John Adams famously wrote in a letter to his wife Abigail of the generational progression of study:

“I must study politics and war, that our sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. Our sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history and naval architecture, navigation, commerce and agriculture in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry and porcelain.”

As the grandson of a man who fought in World War I, I can certainly relate to Adams’ words. After the Great War, my grandfather came to the United States in 1919 giving up many years of his own happiness to take care of his family. He toiled for years to send money back home, and even waited seven years before returning to his home to marry his beloved Gilda, my grandmother — perhaps all so that someday I could study music. Grazie infinite, Antonio Pieretti!

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 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).

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Quick Thoughts

19 May 2022 • “Trochee Trouble”

I’m still trying to decide how to visually present the “pure” Editio Vaticana scores, using what is (technically) the official rhythm of the Church. You can download my latest attempt, for this coming Sunday. Notice the “trochee trouble” as well as the old issue of neumes before the quilisma.

—Jeff Ostrowski
16 May 2022 • Harmonized Chant?

This year’s upcoming Sacred Music Symposium will demonstrate several ways to sing the CREDO at Mass. This is because—for many parishes—to sing a full-length polyphonic CREDO by Victoria or Palestrina is out of the question. Therefore, we show options that are halfway between plainsong and polyphony. You can hear my choir rehearsing a section that sounds like harmonized plainsong.

—Jeff Ostrowski
14 May 2022 • “Pure” Vatican Edition

As readers know, my choir has been singing from the “pure” Editio Vaticana. That is to say, the official rhythm which—technically—is the only rhythm allowed by the Church. I haven’t figured out how I want the scores to look, so in the meantime we’ve been using temporary scores that look like this. Stay tuned!

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

Religious worship supplies all our spiritual need, and suits every mood of mind and variety of circumstance.

— John Henry Cardinal Newman

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