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Views from the Choir Loft

Good King Wenceslas Looked Out When?

Gwyneth Holston · December 23, 2013

GWYN_stephen Bernardo Cavallino, “Martyrdom of St. Stephen.” c. 1645. Oil on canvas, 70 cm x 90 cm.

HE FEAST DAYS following Christmas all recognize rather bloody saints. According to Dom Gueranger’s Liturgical Year, “The ones we see standing round the Crib of our Jesus are Martyrs: Stephen, overwhelmed with the shower of stones; John the Martyr in heart, who survived his fiery torture; the Holy Innocents, massacred by the sword; Thomas, murdered in his cathedral; these are the champions of Christ, who keep guard in the palace of Bethlehem.”

I never understood why so many martyrs were recognized during Christmastide until I read Dom Gueranger’s intriguing meditation. He writes, “Jesus, whilst still continuing to be the eternal God, assumed to himself the lowly raiment of flesh, and entered the battle-field of this world; Stephen, laying aside the perishable garment of the body, ascended to the palace of heaven, there to reign for ever.”

GWYN_stephen square Gueranger continues, “…Martyrdom is the creature’s testimony and return to his Creator for all the favours bestowed upon him: it is Man testifying, even by shedding his blood, to the truths which God has revealed to the world.”

Reading these words gave me new eyes to appreciate the painting of St. Stephen by Bernardo Cavallino. In Cavallino’s version, the things of this world are already fading into darkness for St. Stephen. His eyes no longer perceive his aggressors, instead they are directed heavenward. We cannot see what he sees, but his intensely scarlet dalmatic gives us an inkling of the heavenly raiment which he will soon don.

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 Gwyneth Holston

Gwyneth Holston is a sacred artist who works to provide and promote good quality Catholic art. Her website is gwynethholston.com. Read more.

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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

He stood firm against nepotism, rebuking his predecessor Pope Pius IV to his face when he wanted to make a 13-year-old member of his family a cardinal and subsidize a nephew from the papal treasury.

— Re: Pope Saint Pius V (d. 1572)

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