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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

Must Art Be Permanent?

Fr. David Friel · November 17, 2013

BOOK RECOMMENDATION came to me several years ago during a hallway conversation with my esteemed professor of philosophy, Dr. Atherton Lowry. I am somewhat shamed to confess that it took me until this summer to follow through on his recommendation. Nevertheless, I happily spent my flight to Salt Lake City for this year’s Sacred Music Colloquium reading Evelyn Waugh’s The Loved One.

Subtitled “An Anglo-American Tragedy,” the book is an uproariously funny satire of the film & funeral industries, among other topics. When I first encountered Dennis Barlow, one of the major characters in the book, I began to question my professor’s recommendation. Barlow, having been fired from his work in Hollywood, had taken a job at “Happier Hunting Ground,” a funeral & burial outfit for pets. The modern American obsession with pets and the absurd things people will do in their name has long been one of my “pet” peeves, so I was unsure if the plot would be tolerable. It quickly became apparent, however, that this was all part of the well-crafted satire.

The story develops into a tale at times humorous, startling, and ridiculous. In the midst of the satire, though, arises an insightful passage about art that seized my attention.

The protagonist, a certain Aimée Thanatogenos, works as a makeup artist for an unconventional funeral director (for humans). She laments that all her art is ephemeral, because it is “burned sometimes within a few hours” in the crematorium; other times, if the body is placed in a mausoleum, her handiwork has often “completely lost tonality” within ten years time. She philosophizes, “Do you think anything can be a great art which is so impermanent?”

That seems to me a fair question, and a question worth asking. Can art that does not last for whatever reason—planned destruction, limitations of the medium, etc.—ever be considered “great” art? Can it, for that matter, be considered “art” at all? Is permanence a necessary attribute of beauty?

The answer Barlow offers is thoughtful: “You should regard [your art] as being like acting or singing or playing an instrument.” Acting transpires, and music can only be made in the moment. Surely, both of these art forms can be recorded, yet there is a fundamental difference between a movie & a stage production, between a digital play list & a live orchestra. This is why the Church wisely does not permit recorded music in liturgical contexts. Consider, also, the Earth and its seasons. Is not all of nature the handiwork of God, and yet it flows on in an unceasing torrent of change?

The Loved One reminded me of the particular privilege it is to be involved in the work of sacred music. Whereas photography and painting and architecture are arts that last, music is in some ways a transient art form. I believe there is actually something beautiful in the very reality of music’s passing nature.

In all its many forms, art is, as Waugh writes, “a work of consolation.” Music may only last for a moment, but its beauty endures.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Beauty, Sacred Music Colloquium Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Fr. David Friel

Ordained in 2011, Father Friel is a priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and serves as Director of Liturgy at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary. —(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    New Bulletin Article • “21 September 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 21 September 2025) discusses some theological items—supported by certain verses in ancient Catholic hymns—and ends by explaining why certain folks become delirious with jealousy when they observe feats by Monsignor Ronald Knox.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Cheap! Cheap! Cheap!
    It’s always amusing to see old diocesan newspapers—in huge capital letters—advertising the Cheapest Catholic Paper in the United States. The correspondent who sent this to me added: “I can think of certain composers, published by large companies in our own day, who could truthfully brag about the most tawdry compositions in the world!” I wonder what she could have meant by such a cryptic comment…
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • Dom Murray Harmonies
    Along with so many others, I have deep respect for Dom Gregory Gregory Murray, who produced this clever harmonization (PDF) of “O SANCTISSIMA.” It’s always amazed me that Dom Gregory—a truly inspired composer—was so confused when it came to GREGORIAN CHANT. Throughout his life, he published contradictory statements, veering back-and-forth like a weather vane. Toward the end of his life, he declared: “I see clearly that the need for reform in liturgical music arose, not in the 18th and 19th centuries, but a thousand years earlier—in the 8th and 9th centuries, or even before that. The abuses began, not with Mozart and Haydn, but with those over-enthusiastic medieval musicians who developed the elaborate and flamboyant Gregorian Chant.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Karl Keating • “Canonization Questions”
    We were sent an internet statement (screenshot) that’s garnered significant attention, in which KARL KEATING (founder of Catholic Answers) speaks about whether canonizations are infallible. Mr. Keating seems unaware that canonizations are—in the final analysis—a theological opinion. They are not infallible, as explained in this 2014 article by a priest (with a doctorate in theology) who worked for multiple popes. Mr. Keating says: “I’m unaware of such claims arising from any quarter until several recent popes disliked by these Traditionalists were canonized, including John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul II. Usually Paul VI receives the most opprobrium.” Mr. Keating is incorrect; e.g. Father John Vianney, several centuries ago, taught clearly that canonizations are not infallible. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen would be another example, although clearly much more recent than Saint John Vianney.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Vatican II Changed Wedding Propers?
    It’s often claimed that the wedding propers were changed after Vatican II. As a matter of fact, that is a false claim. The EDITIO VATICANA propers (Introit: Deus Israel) remained the same after Vatican II. However, a new set of propers (Introit: Ecce Deus) was provided for optional use. The same holds true for the feast of Pope Saint Gregory the Great on 3 September: the 1943 propers (Introit: Si díligis me) were provided for optional use, but the traditional PROPRIA MISSAE (Introit: Sacerdótes Dei) were retained; they weren’t gotten rid of. The Ordo Cantus Missae (1970) makes this crystal clear, as does the Missal itself. There was an effort made in the post-conciliar years to eliminate so-called “Neo-Gregorian” chants, but (contrary to popular belief) most were retained: cf. the feast of Christ the King, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, and so forth.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Solemn “Salve Regina” (Chant)
    How many “S” words can you think of using alliteration? How about Schwann Solemn Salve Score? You can download the SOLEMN SALVE REGINA in Gregorian Chant. The notation follows the official rhythm (EDITIO VATICANA). Canon Jules Van Nuffel, choirmaster of the Cathedral of Saint Rumbold, composed this accompaniment for it (although some feel it isn’t his best work).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders”—is that English idiom? “For the Nazis, and all the Germans, except they say Heil Hitler! meet not in the street, holding their lives valuable”—is that English idiom?

— Monsignor Ronald Knox

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