• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

“What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too…” Pope Benedict XVI (7 July 2007)

  • About
  • Symposium
  • Hymnal
  • Jogues Missal
  • Site Map
  • Donate
Views from the Choir Loft

Pope Pius XII speaks about the Liturgy (1956)

Jeff Ostrowski · July 30, 2013

592 Pacelli Rottenburg Nuncio Pacelli — procession in Rottenburg circa 1919 ECENTLY, I had occasion to consider words spoken by Pope Pius XII on 2 November 1954: “This is to be done only for a justifiable reason, and provided the Bishop has not forbidden it because of the danger that the faithful might think it strange.”

We see that Pius XII is careful, lest any novel liturgical actions harm the faithful. I wish bishops had used the pastoral sensitivity of Pius XII in the years following the Second Vatican Council.

Those words of Pius XII remind me of a private letter written by his predecessor, Pope Pius XI:

Of interest is also a responsum privatum of Pius XI to Rev. Beatus Reiser, O.S.B. (June 29, 1930) concerning the use of the orchestra in church: where it has hitherto not been introduced, it should not be in the future; where it can be done away with without too much difficulty on the part of the faithful, it should be abrogated; but where it is an inveterate custom, the use of orchestra should only gradually be cut back till it disappears; in exceptional cases with the Ordinary’s permission, Mass with orchestra can be permitted. Though this is only a private reply, it gives the mind of at least Pius XI on the matter.   [source]

Again, we see the truly pastoral understanding of these great popes.

YEARS AGO, I SHARED with a very smart priest the words of one of the piccoluomini, who had criticized Pius XII for wearing beautiful vestments. I’ll never forget the priest’s reply: “Yes, men like Pacelli actually knew and believed what the Episcopacy represents.” There was nothing more to be said.

Pope Pius XII was, perhaps, the most intelligent person of the entire 20th century. He wrote so much, it would take a lifetime to read it all (with understanding). For instance, his words on “antiquarianism” (Mediator Dei, 20 November 1947) are worth looking at. So are his words about concelebration quoted in the 1958 Instruction. Speaking of concelebration, Bishop Peter J. Elliott has written:

Concelebrating “mentally”, in total silence, is contrary to the practice of the modern Roman Rite. In 1956, anticipating the restoration of concelebration, Pope Pius XII decided that our Rite would follow the Russian practice whereby all concelebrants articulate the words of the epiklesis and the consecration together with the principal celebrant. Cf. Pope Pius XII, Address to the International Congress on Pastoral Liturgy on the Liturgical Movement, September 22, 1956, II. 1, “Actio Christi”.

I strongly recommend reading the following speech (mentioned by Most Rev. Elliott):

      * *  Pope Pius XII speaks about the Liturgy (22 September 1956)

Therein, Pope Pius XII speaks about so many different aspects of liturgy. And now I will not say another word, because this document speaks for itself. Please read it!

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Concelebration, His Holiness Pope Pius XII Last Updated: March 16, 2021

Subscribe to the CCW Mailing List

About Jeff Ostrowski

Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004). He resides with his wife and children in Los Angeles.—(Read full biography).

Primary Sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

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
14 May 2022 • Gorgeous Book

If there is a more beautiful book than Abbat Pothier’s 1888 Processionale Monasticum, I don’t know what it might be. This gorgeous tome was today added to the Saint John Lalande Online Library. I wish I owned a physical copy.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

The union of Christians can only be promoted by promoting the return to the one true Church of Christ of those who are separated from it, for in the past they have unhappily left it.

— Pope Pius XI (6 January 1928)

Recent Posts

  • Summer Ward Method Courses • CUA 2022
  • PDF Download • 2022 “Vespers Booklet” (99 Pages)
  • “Playing the Pipe Organ” • By Richard Nixon
  • 16 May 2022 • Harmonized Chant?
  • Prayer of Abandonment,  Saint Charles de Foucauld

Copyright © 2022 Corpus Christi Watershed · Gabriel Lalemant on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Corpus Christi Watershed is a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to exploring and embodying as our calling the relationship of religion, culture, and the arts. This non-profit organization employs the creative media in service of theology, the Church, and Christian culture for the enrichment and enjoyment of the public.