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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

Lord, Deliver Me From My Persecutors

Dr. Peter Kwasniewski · January 23, 2014

852 St. Denis Saint Denis, Bishop of Paris HIS PAST YEAR, I have been reading aloud each evening, with my family, the traditional Roman Martyrology. It has been astonishing to learn about such a host of saints, particularly the ancient martyrs who suffered incredible, unspeakable torments for love of Jesus Christ. Here are some examples, taken almost at random from the Martyrology:

October 28. … At Rome, St Anastasia the Elder, Virgin, and Cyril, Martyrs. The former was bound with chains in Valerian’s persecution under the prefect Probus, smitten with blows and tortured with fire and scourges, but since she remained immovable in her confession of Christ, her breasts were cut off, her nails torn out, her teeth broken, her hands and feet cut off, and being beheaded, adored with the jewels of so many sufferings, she passed to her Spouse; but Cyril, who merely offered her water when she begged for it, received martyrdom as his reward.

December 14. … In Cyprus, the birthday of blessed Spiridion, Bishop, who was one of those confessors whom Galerius Maximian condemned to the mines, after tearing out his right eye and severing the tendons of his left knee. …

December 30. … Marcellus and Exuperantius were first of all stretched on the rack, then grievously beaten with scourges, afterwards torn with hooks and roasted by the burning of their sides and so fulfilled martyrdom. …

Reading accounts like this has challenged me again and again: Do I love the Lord so much that I would be willing to do and to suffer what they did and suffered? Yes, martyrdom is truly a grace from God, a gift that utterly surpasses the boundaries of human possibility; but we also have to be prepared for receiving that grace, and we can live our daily lives in such a way as to make it harder for ourselves to be courageous when the time comes.

THEN, I GOT TO THINKING about the daily hardships of life to which nearly everyone was accustomed only a hundred years ago, such as the lack of running water, the lack of electricity, the scarcity of comforts, and the need to work hard on the land, day after day, just to stay clothed and fed. When our family reads aloud the Little House on the Prairie books, or medieval historical novels, the toughness and vigor of these people come across loud and clear. They are more ready to labor, more able to suffer; they are stronger characters, all around, than we moderns tend to be.

This got me thinking about what a future persecution might look like, and whether Catholics in America (or any Western country) would be ready to face it, or whether our apostasy would come quick and cheap. In spite of the Obama administration’s anti-Catholicism, few in government have simply thrown out or directly attacked the language and policy of religious liberty. Those who want to destroy the Catholic Church have to find devious and indirect ways of doing it; they cannot simply go out and burn down churches and shoot Catholics in the street, the way the Islamic militants in Syria go around beheading Christians and selling their blood. (That kind of thing may come to us someday, but we’re not there quite yet.) But our government is well practiced in the most subtle and “legal” way to weaken the Church—namely, to draw away her members by seducing them with worldly goods or motivating them by social pressures and financial penalties.

So, what would happen if the next administration announced: “All American citizens must pay an abortion tax that will be used directly and exclusively for funding abortion services. Citizens who refuse to pay this tax will have the electricity, gas, and water cut off from their properties.” No other penalty, no further persecution; just those serious inconveniences, a lack of creature comforts we all take for granted.

What would Catholics do? Would we choose privation, discomfort, inconvenience, hardship, in order to uphold the law of God—or would we cave in without a second thought, send our checks to the IRS, and keep those fruits of the free market pulsing and pumping, while our money funds the murder of innocents in secret?

Are we ready for the coming privations and persecutions? Be assured, they are coming; some are already here. Whole career paths have already been cut off or have begun to be impossible to navigate for Catholics who still have a conscience. Obamacare has shown that the government is quite prepared to force everyone to sponsor immorality. How far will it go? Soon the clergy will be challenged for refusing to witness so-called gay marriages. Even the Church will not be given freedom regarding whom is hired as an employee. Employees will not be able to ask for time off on Sundays and Holy Days. It is only a matter of time before being a Catholic at all will involve renouncing much that the world considers important and necessary.

Are we ready?

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 Dr. Peter Kwasniewski

A graduate of Thomas Aquinas College (B.A. in Liberal Arts) and The Catholic University of America (M.A. and Ph.D. in Philosophy), Dr. Peter Kwasniewski is currently Professor at Wyoming Catholic College. He is also a published and performed composer, especially of sacred music.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

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 Sanctus and Benedictus are one text and should be sung through without a break. The practice—once common—of waiting till after the Consecration and then singing: “Benedictus qui venit…” is not allowed by the Vatican Gradual.

— Father Fortescue, writing in 1912

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