Views from the Choir Loft

Pope Pius X: The Pope Who Carried His Shoes

Jeff Ostrowski · August 22, 2013

OPE PIUS X was known above all for his humility and poverty. There are hundreds of stories that illustrate this. For example, as a young child, he often carried his shoes on his back during long commutes to and from school. This was to prolong their life, since shoes were expensive, and his family was extremely poor. Even after becoming Pope, his devotion to Apostolic poverty was extreme, bordering on imprudence.

Any man can be elected Pope. As the good Father Leslie Rumble reminded us, Pope Leo XIII was a Prince by blood, whilst his immediate successor, Pope Pius X, was the son of a poverty-stricken mail carrier.

WHILE MOST KNOW of his humility, not all are aware of his devotion to Sacred music. Everyone should read the following 2003 article, published by the former director of the Pontifical Institute of Sacred music (PIMS) on the 100th anniversary of Pius X’s motu proprio:

* * 2003 Article on Pope Pius X (Dr. Robert Skeris)

Here are some excerpts:

In 1882 as Vicar General of Treviso, Mons. Sarto personally participated in the Gregorian Congress at Arezzo, which passed resolutions affirming the problematic nature of the then papally privileged Regensburg Medicaean edition of the chant, and calling for a revival of the traditional liturgical melodies along the lines which Dom Joseph Pothier, O.S.B. had sketched out in 1880.

Named Bishop of Mantua (which at that time was beset with many problems), Sarto began in 1884 to teach dogma courses in the Seminary, giving each student a personal copy of the Summa Theologiae. He also personally conducted chant rehearsals for the students, so that the Mass chants would be sung correctly.

About Jeff Ostrowski

A theorist, organist, and conductor, Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004), and did graduate work in Musicology. He serves as choirmaster for the new FSSP parish in Los Angeles, where he resides with his wife and children.

“Abraham” • Guerrero Imitates His Teacher

Father Francisco Guerrero (d. 1599) studied music with Father Cristóbal de Morales circa 1545. He taught himself the organ. On 3 April 1542 he was engaged as a contralto by Seville Cathedral at an annual salary of 12,000 maravedís. He remained there until 1546, when, at the age of only 17, he was invited—on the recommendation of Father Morales—to become mæstro de capilla of Jaén Cathedral. He was entrusted with the boarding, lodging, and instruction of the six choirboys; but he neglected this duty and was sentenced to be dismissed on 30 August 1548. However, he was absolved and reinstated on 3 November. I think you can see (perhaps) a little homage to his teacher on the word “Abraham.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Too much music!

Choosing music for the Sacred Music Symposium requires careful consideration. We make sure (always) to have great variety. Because the schedule is so full, there’s never sufficient time to discuss the music fully—indeed, we could easily do a month-long seminar on each piece! For example, last year Dr. Calabrese conducted a setting of the Magnificat by Father Guerrero (d. 1599). It is one of the most magnificent (pardon the pun) pieces ever written, and I wish I had time to point out the brilliant way he syncopates the word “dispersit,” which means “He has scattered” or “He has dispersed.” Superb!

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Sharing Is Caring”

I would like to share a message from a highly respected scholar. (His articles appear in distinguished journals such as Études grégoriennes and Oxford’s Early Music.) He wrote as follows:

The Brébeuf Hymnal is very tastefully done. Your team has exquisite literary and musical taste. I see from my copy of the hymnal that you also set Ex more docti to “Rockingham” (one of my favorite melodies for “When I survey the wondrous cross”). I especially appreciate the background information at the bottom of the page. When I played at the Lutheran church, I would always have a little note about the music, sometimes about a hymn, if the “Hymnal Companion” offered something of interest. The church we attend has battered Worship II hymnals (one per pew), but almost nobody seems to want to sing. I congratulate you on the staggering amount of work it took to produce the Brébeuf hymnal: excellent contents and production.

—Jeff Ostrowski