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Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

Praying for Peace in Syria – Day of Prayer and Fasting

Richard J. Clark · September 5, 2013

ODAY’S COVER OF THE New York Times shows a horrifically disturbing photograph of Syrian rebel fighters standing over captured and tied soldiers. The commander on the right, recited a verse just before the soldiers were executed. This photo is perhaps moments before their deaths.

Our souls cry out in anguish over the callous culture of death.

In response to Pope Francis’ call for a day of fasting and prayer for peace this Saturday, September 7th, the Office of Divine Worship in Boston writes the following directives, which we may all find of use in our parishes. Additionally, there are suggested petitions may be useful, even if for prayer in our own hearts:

Praying for Peace in Syria, in Solidarity with Pope Francis and Christians throughout the world. Archdiocesan (Boston) Prayer Vigil for Peace & Directives for the Day of Prayer and Fasting

Pope Francis has called for a day of fasting and prayer for peace this coming Saturday, September 7, 2013. He has invited us all to ask from God “this great gift of peace for the beloved Syrian nation and for the situations of conflict and violence in the world.” He went on to say, “Humanity needs to see gestures of peace, and to hear words of hope and of peace.”

In addition, the Cardinal (O’Malley) is asking all priests who regularly celebrate a Saturday morning Mass in their parishes t…o use the Mass texts from the Roman Missal section II, “For Civil Needs” of “Masses and Prayers for Various Needs and Occasions”. In this section, the most appropriate texts will come from the Mass “In Time of War or Civil Disturbance”, # 31.

For the Saturday Vigil Mass and Sunday Masses the following petitions may be added to the Prayers of the Faithful with the closing prayer taken from the Mass In Time of War or Civil Disturbance.

· That the precious gift of peace might be promoted and protected in Syria, the Middle East and all throughout the world; We pray to the Lord:

· That aware of the judgment of God and of history upon our actions, all nations might come to understand that war begets war, violence begets violence; We pray to the Lord:

· That God might guide the international community to make every effort to promote clear proposals for peace for the good of the entire Syrian people; We pray to the Lord:

· That the plea for peace rise up and touch the heart of everyone tempted by violence so that they may lay down their weapons; We pray to the Lord:

· That through the example of Mary, Mother of Peace, we might dedicate ourselves each day to building an authentic culture of encounter and peace; We pray to the Lord:

· Prayer at Conclusion of Intercessions: “O God, author and lover of peace, to know you is to live, to serve you is to reign; defend against every attack those who cry to you, so that we, who trust in your protection, may not fear the weapons of any foe. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.”

“Let us ask Mary to help us to respond to violence, to conflict and to war, with the power of dialogue, reconciliation and love. She is our mother: may she help us to find peace; all of us are her children!” – Pope Francis

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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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    2-Voice Arr. • “Creator of the Starry Height”
    Do you direct a choir consisting of women or children only? (Some call this a “treble” choir.) Download a two-voice arrangement of Creator of the Starry Height set to the tune of IOANNES by clicking here and then scrolling to the bottom. In our times, this hymn is normally used during ADVENT, and the Latin title is: Cónditor alme síderum. It’s important to say “cónditor”—placing the accent on the antepenult—because ‘condítor’ in Latin means “one who embalms the dead.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Equal Voices” Choir Pieces
    My colleague, CORRINNE MAY, has posted some delightful compositions for equal voices: that is, choirs consisting of all men or all women. Included there are settings of the “Ave Maria” and “Tantum Ergo.” They strike me as relatively simple and not excessively lengthy. (In other words, within reach of volunteer singers.) Even better, all the scores have been made available as instant PDF downloads, completely free of charge. Bravo!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Typo in the “Missale Romanum” (1962)
    The 1962 MISSALE ROMANUM was a transitional missal. It was on its way to becoming the 1970 version, but wasn’t there yet. It eliminated certain duplications, downplayed the Prayers at the Foot of the Altar, expanded the role of laymen, minimized the Last Gospel, made many items optional, and so forth. Father Valentine Young spotted many typos in the 1962 MISSALE ROMANUM, especially incorrect accents. The Offertory Antiphon for this coming Sunday (OF kalendar) contains an error, citing the wrong verse from Psalm 118. It should be 118:107b, not 118:154. If you read verse 154, you’ll understand how that error crept in. [In this particular case, the error pre-dates the 1962 Missal, since the 1940s hand-missal by Father Lasance also gets it wrong.]
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “Our Father” • Musical Setting?
    Looking through a Roman Catholic Hymnal published in 1859 by Father Guido Maria Dreves (d. 1909), I stumbled upon this very beautiful tune (PDF file). I feel it would be absolutely perfect to set the “Our Father” in German to music. Thoughts?
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
    The American Catholic Hymnal, with IMPRIMATUR granted (25 April 1991) by the Archdiocese of Chicago, is like a compendium of every horrible idea from the 1980s. Imagine being forced to stand all through Communion (even afterwards) when those self-same ‘enlightened’ liturgists moved the SEQUENCE before the Alleluia to make sure congregations wouldn’t have to stand during it. (Even worse, everything about the SEQUENCE—including its name—means it should follow the Alleluia.) And imagine endlessly repeating “Alleluia” during Holy Communion at every single Mass. It was all part of an effort to convince people that Holy Communion was historically a procession (which it wasn’t).
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

Agnes De Mille: “When I see my work, I take for granted what other people value in it. I see only its ineptitude, inorganic flaws, and crudities. I am not pleased or satisfied.” — Martha Graham: “No artist is pleased.” ADM: “But then there is no satisfaction?” — MG: “No satisfaction whatever at any time,” she cried out passionately. “There is only a queer divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others.”

— “Martha Graham on the Life-Force of Creativity”

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