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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

Gratefulness

Andrew R. Motyka · November 13, 2013

T’S PROBABLY A BIT EARLY to write a post about Thanksgiving, but by the time Thanksgiving actually comes around, I’m already in full Advent mode.

The other day, I was putting some clean dishes away in the cabinets of our apartment, and one of the doors wouldn’t close all the way. I quickly became frustrated that I had to slightly move the bowls over so that the door had clearance to close. How can anyone be expected to live under those conditions. Anyway, I caught myself almost immediately, thinking about how easily I get annoyed at little things, or even slightly larger things that are trivial in the larger picture. For example, I actually have a place to live and possess plates upon which to put my food.

The next time you get frustrated at your parish, whether it’s because of the praise n’ worship music you hate, or the fact that the cantor actually uses a hand gesture (GASP) to indicate when everyone is to sing, or when Father wears his stole on the outside of his chasuble (I swear, next time I’m wearing my underwear on the outside of my pants), or worst of all, when Andy creates spectacularly long run-on sentences that make you have to go back to the beginning of the paragraph to figure out what he was even talking about, try to put it in some perspective.

I’m not saying we shouldn’t aim for the best we have to offer. I’m saying that we shouldn’t adopt scorched-earth rants just because we had to use that David Haas song that one time.

The other day, I was frustrated about something or other at work, and I had to remind myself just how good I have it. I have a wonderfully talented choir, and they are quite good sports about trying the challenging literature I have thrown at them (and excelled at it). I have a parish that appreciates good liturgy and music, and participate in the singing with no arm-twisting, and don’t complain about the choir singing now and then.

Most of all, what we music directors should all be grateful for is the opportunity to serve God through our musical contributions to the liturgy. I always say that, since my vocation is and always will be to be a husband and father, I would clean filth up if it meant putting food on the table. That I get to do what I love and get paid for it is a blessing indeed.

It’s okay to strive for perfection, and always seek something better. Just keep some perspective and be patient with improvement in your life.

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

    “What Martin Luther Said…”
    My pastor asked me to write little columns for the bulletin each week. The article for 20 July 2025 has been posted, and it’s called: “What Luther Said…” Martin Luther (an ex-priest and apostate) was an infamous heretic whose ignorance of JESUS CHRIST was only exceeded by his filthy and disgusting vulgarity.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Music List” • 15th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I prepared for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (13 July 2025). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and propers for this Sunday are also provided at the the feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    This coming Sunday—13 July 2025—is the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). All the chants have been conveniently assembled and posted at the feasts website. The OFFERTORY, Ad Te Levávi, is particularly beautiful.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Pope Pius XII Hymnal?
    Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Hybrid” Chant Notation?
    Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Antiphons Don’t Match?
    A reader wants to know why the Entrance and Communion antiphons in certain publications deviate from what’s prescribed by the GRADUALE ROMANUM published after Vatican II. Click here to read our answer. The short answer is: the Adalbert Propers were never intended to be sung. They were intended for private Masses only (or Masses without music). The “Graduale Parvum,” published by the John Henry Newman Institute of Liturgical Music in 2023, mostly uses the Adalbert Propers—but sometimes uses the GRADUALE text: e.g. Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (29 June).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

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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