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Corpus Christi Watershed

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

The Song of the Angels

Fr. David Friel · December 25, 2013

ANGER SCENES ever since St. Francis of Assisi have successfully led the faithful to deeper mediation on the great mystery of the Incarnation. Most nativity scenes are static displays, though, so they can’t replicate the smells, the cold, or the crying of the Bethlehem stable. Another feature of the moment that nativity scenes rarely capture is the music. Yet, that stable and its environs were a very musical scene.

Think about the song of the “multitude of the heavenly host” (Luke 2:13) for a moment: “Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace to people of good will” (Luke 2:14). It’s like a one-two punch, a cause-and-effect, a natural progression. When we give glory to God, we receive His peace as a result. It is a simple formula, but one that so often goes untried. In our small-mindedness and short-sightedness, we fail to understand that the highest privilege we have as humans is to give glory to God. When we engage in divine worship, we are actually reaching our fullest potential. Said another way, we are most human in the moments we spend glorifying God.

So why do we spend so much time glorifying other things? Our world tells us to glorify all kinds of stupid things, like Xbox & iPhones & gift cards. Crazy news coverage almost forces us to glorify singers & actresses & athletes. I think it’s reasonable to say, though, that the primary trouble for most of us is not glorifying material possessions or celebrities. They are part of the equation, but the primary trouble is probably the time we spend glorifying ourselves. We fall into the habit of putting our own needs and wants before those of others. We worry about what other people think about us and fixate on preserving our reputation. We go out of our way to gain the praise & adulation of our family & friends & strangers.

Glorifying material possessions or celebrities or ourselves is simply a waste of time and energy. If our focus is only on those things, we’ll never be at peace. Only God brings us peace. Jesus is the very Prince of Peace, and when we give Him the gift of ourselves, we receive the reciprocal gift of His peace.

The angels who sang to the shepherds of Bethlehem had it right, and we’ve been getting it wrong ever since. We could all use a little more peace in our lives, so why not give their simple formula a try? It’s a truism that holds in every age and in every place. If we give glory to God in the highest, all the rest of our lives will fall into right order, and we will be blessed with peace.

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 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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President’s Corner

    “Music List” • 14 September (Holy Cross)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I prepared for 14 September 2025, which is the Feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross. 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 spectacular feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    New Bulletin Article • “14 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 14 September 2025) discusses OFFERTORY ANTIPHONS and contains a wonderful quote by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • Draft Copy (Pamphlet)
    A few days ago, I posted a draft copy of this 12-page pamphlet with citations about the laity’s “full, conscious, and active participation.” Its basic point or message is that choir directors should never feel embarrassed to teach real choral music because Vatican II explicitly ordered them to do that! We’ve received tons of mail regarding that pamphlet, with many excellent suggestions for improvement. Please feel free to chime in!
    —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

“The sacrificial death of Jesus Christ the High Priest on Calvary is and will remain the basis for the active participation of the faithful in the liturgy. Membership in the Church, which is brought about by valid baptism, makes one a part of the Mystical Body of Christ, THE PRIEST, to whose priesthood one is interiorly conformed through the baptismal character.”

— “Divini Cultus Studium” (Dr. Robert A. Skeris, 1990)

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