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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

Sacramental Grace and Intentional Discipleship

Andrew R. Motyka · September 18, 2013

HEN I WAS ON RETREAT a few weeks, ago, I picked up a book I’ve been meaning to read for over a year now. It is titled Forming Intentional Disciples by Sherry Weddell. This book on evangelization has been receiving critical acclaim from many Catholic apologists and is being seriously considered by offices of evangelization in US dioceses.

There are many reasons to praise this book, from its statistical wake-up call in the first chapter, down to the practical considerations of creating disciples of non-Catholics and Catholic parishioners alike. The first chapter is terrifying: it is an analysis of several national surveys on church attendance with special attention to Catholics. The most important observation that Weddell makes is that church attendance is directly correlated with the belief in the possibility of having a personal relationship with God. We Catholics, by and large, do not talk about Jesus, do not even know how to talk about Jesus.

I know what you’re thinking, because my thoughts were the same, at first: “This all sounds very…Protestant.” Yup. I’m ashamed to say, that’s exactly what I thought. Then Weddell wrote about grace and the sacraments. After all, the normative relationship that we Catholics have with God is through the sacraments. Wedell explains that this is not enough. An individual needs to be prepared in heart, soul, and life to receive the sacraments fruitfully. Obviously, a validly celebrated sacrament contains the grace of God regardless of its recipient. I cannot alter the fullness of grace in the Eucharist by any action. I can, however, obstruct the reception of that grace by my disposition. I need to be willing to accept the inward change that that grace brings. (Weddell’s chapter on grace is reason enough to read this book.)

While Sherry Weddell doesn’t wade into liturgical matters in this discussion, this touches on why I love the tradition of our liturgy, and more specifically, solemnity in its celebration. One of those goofy Masses that you always read about online, with strange goings-on and hideous vestments, with irreverent music and odd posture, is still a valid Mass as long as the essential matter and form of the sacrament are present. However, such liturgical noise absolutely can run interference on one’s fruitful reception of the grace already present in the sacrament. Liturgy deserves seriousness in order to celebrate and prepare for fruitful reception of the sacrament.

Just like evangelizing disciples, liturgical catechesis starts in your own parish. In her many interviews with pastors, Weddell asked most of them: what percentage of your congregation would you say is made up of intentional disciples? The answer was consistently 5 percent. This is an unacceptable level of discipleship in our Church, and we are all responsible for it through our baptism. Liturgical catechesis will come along the way; our worst problem first is introducing people to Jesus.

While I’ve read many books on faith and apologetics, this is the one that is most relevant to the Church’s struggle today. I strongly recommend that you read this book, and then go make disciples of all people.

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 Andrew R. Motyka

Andrew Motyka is the Archdiocesan Director of Liturgical Music and Cathedral Music for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.—(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Liturgical Round (“Canon”) in C-Major
    Those who direct children’s choirs are always on the lookout for repertoire that’s dignified, inspired, and pleasing—yet still within reach of young choristers. Such directors will want to investigate this haunting liturgical round (PDF download) which has been married to the KYRIE from Mass VI (EDITIO VATICANA). I have provided an accompaniment, but it’s only for use during rehearsal; i.e. when teaching this round to your choristers. I also provided an organ accompaniment for the KYRIE—which some know by its trope (Kyrie Rex Genitor)—so that your congregation can take part when this round is used as a choral extension during Mass.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Latin Liturgy Association
    We note with pleasure that Mrs. Regina Morris, president of the Latin Liturgy Association, has featured—on page 4 of Volume CXXIX of their official newsletter—the three (3) terrific versions of the Stations of the Cross found in the Brébeuf Hymnal. One of the main authors for the blog of the Church Music Association of America said (6/10/2019) about this pew book: “It is such a fantastic hymnal that it deserves to be in the pews of every Catholic church.”
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Music List” • 28th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 12 October 2025, which is the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the dazzling feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    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
    “Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Fifty years ago, Dr. Theodore Marier made available this clever arrangement (PDF) of “Come down, O love divine” by P. R. Dietterich. The melody was composed in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (d. 1958) and named in honor of of his birthplace: DOWN AMPNEY. The arrangement isn’t a strict canon, but it does remind one of a canon since the pipe organ employs “points of imitation.” The melody and text are #709 in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

In the United States, Archbishop Kenrick had said in his “Moral Theology” that it was acceptable to sing the “Véni Sáncte Spíritus” before the sermon.

— Monsignor Schmitt (1977)

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  • PDF Download • Liturgical Round (“Canon”) for your Children’s Choir
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