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

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Views from the Choir Loft

Making time

Veronica Brandt · August 31, 2013

Nap attack Nap Attack, drawn by Peter Brandt T LAST THE HOUSE IS QUIET. There are a few hours at the end of a Saturday to write a post for the beginning of the same Saturday half way across the world. I wish there were more occasions I could leave things 10 hours too late and still get them in on time!

But apart from living on the other side of the date line, how do we make time for all the good things there are to do? There are obvious things, like avoiding time-eaters: television and facebook spring to mind. Prioritizing tasks. Just doing what needs to be done and skipping over as much of the rest as you can safely get away with.

But sometimes it helps to do more. I mean more than the bare-bone necessities. Being generous can make it easier to meet the tasks.

Viktor Frankl finds that happiness does not depend on having what you want, but finding meaning in your situation. He talks about cases where a crippling accident can make people happier in the long run, not that you need suffering to be happy, but that comfort alone does not produce happiness. When we drop our quest to be comfortable, then the adventure begins.

The world promises you comfort, but you were not made for comfort. You were made for greatness. — Pope Benedict XVI.

I have two choirs each singing Mass once a month at different parishes. One likes psalm tones, Paul IV’s Jubilate Deo booklet and having music in a folder in the order it is sung. The other sings from the Liber Usualis, plus polyphony when possible and likes to try different Mass settings. There is a big difference in ability between the two, I grant you that, but also a big difference in how easy it is to put in the preparation for each one. And you can guess which one my sons like to join in with.

And hopefully now I’ll go snooze like that tiger cub while the other half of the world awakes.

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 Veronica Brandt

Veronica Brandt holds a Bachelor Degree in Electrical Engineering. She lives near Sydney, Australia, with her husband and six children.—(Read full biography).

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Quick Thoughts

Alabama Assessment!

We received this evaluation of Symposium 2022 from an Alabama participant:

“Oh, how the Symposium echoed the words of Cardinal Merry Del Val: …choosing only what is most conformed to Thy glory, which is my final aim. In one short and fast paced week, the faculty and attendees showed me the hand of God and our Lady working in our lives. The wide range of education—from Gregorian Chant, jazz modes in organ improvisation, to ‘staying sane’ while leading a choir—were certainly first-class knowledge from the best teachers of the art. However, the most powerful lesson was learning how to pray as a choir. The sacrifice of putting songs together, taking time to learn the sacred text, meditating on the church teaching through the chants, and gaining the virtues required to persevere in these duties were not only qualities of a choir but of a saint. The sanctification of the lives of the attendees was a beautiful outcome of this event … and that in itself is worth more than a beautifully-sung Solesmes style chant!”

—Jeff Ostrowski
PDF Download • Trinity Sunday (22 pages)

Feel free to download this Organ Accompaniment Booklet for Trinity Sunday (Second Vespers). Notice how the modes progress by number. Psalm 1 is mode 1; Psalm 2 is mode 2; Psalm 3 is mode 3; Psalm 4 is mode 4; Psalm 5 is mode 5. I am told by an expert that other feasts (such as Corpus Christi) are likewise organized by mode, and it’s called a “numerical office.”

—Jeff Ostrowski
10 June 2022 • “Official” rhythm of plainsong

I continue to search for the most beautiful way to present the “pure” Editio Vaticana scores. (Technically, the “pure” rhythm of the official edition is what everyone is supposed to use.) You can download my latest attempt, which is the Introit for this coming Sunday: Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. Because this is not an ancient feast, the Introit had to be adapted (perhaps around 750AD). Prior Johner says the adaptation is “not an entirely happy one.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

It should be borne in mind that there is no preference expressed in the liturgical legislation for either “versus populum” or “ad orientem.” Since both positions enjoy the favor of law, the legislation may not be invoked to say that one position or the other accords more closely with the mind of the Church.

— ‘Congregation for Divine Worship (Vatican City), 10 April 2000’

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