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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

Reflection on the Blessing of the Ashes

Guest Author · March 4, 2014

0319_JXXIII_blue Soon to be saint, Pope John XXIII, always carried on his person a picture of his tomb. HERE IS A VERY inspiring chant, used in the blessing of ashes which says: Let us amend for the better in those things in which we have sinned through ignorance: lest suddenly overtaken by the day of death we seek time for repentance, and are not able to find it.

Several ideas are presented. The first is that we should try to improve and do better. A bit of reflection will help us to see what needs improvement. I suspect that all of us could spend more time in prayer. Especially if we are older and retired, we have so much more time. Do we just want to waste it on watching television? And this can apply also to young people. I like to define or call prayer as time we are willing to spend with God. When we love someone, we want to spend time with them. If we really love God, then we will want to spend time with Him. And when it comes to what we should do for lent, you will almost always first hear, ‘prayer and fasting.’ Do something very definite this lent to increase and improve your prayer, the time you are willing to spend with God. At the moment of your death you will be glad that you did.

I find the words ‘sinned through ignorance’ very consoling. I’m not saying this to excuse myself or anyone, but I do believe that many of the sins we commit, and many of the good things we failed to do are done more out of ignorance than out of malice. Yes, it is so much easier to spend fifteen minutes watching TV than to say the Rosary, but think of the difference that the pay-off is going to have. And then that urge to spread that latest piece of gossip! But is it worth spending time in purgatory for?

The last part of this chant gets a bit more dramatic when it says: ‘we may seek a time for repentance, and are not able to find it’. Yes, it may be too late. We do know that we should be prepared at all times. Everyone should live each lent, each day, as if it may be their last. If we have real and genuine love of God, the end of life should not be a frightening thought. St. John the Apostle says that love casts out all fear. If we improve our love of God by spending more time with Him in prayer, then we will probably have less reason to fear Him. We will look forward to meeting Him face to face. Make this the best lent of your life!


We hope you enjoyed this reflection by Fr. Valentine Young, OFM.

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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President’s Corner

    PDF Download • “Offertory” for this Sunday
    This coming Sunday, 12 October 2025, is the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). Its OFFERTORY ANTIPHON (PDF) is gorgeous, and comes from the book of Esther, as did the ENTRANCE CHANT last Sunday. Depending on a variety of factors, various hand-missals (all with Imprimatur) translate this passage differently. For instance, “príncipis” can be rendered: King; Prince; Lion; or Fierce lord. None is “more correct” than another. It depends on what each translator wants to emphasize and which source text is chosen. All these pieces of plainsong are conveniently stored at the blue-ribbon feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Why A “Fugue” Here?
    I believe I know why this plainsong harmonizer created a tiny fugue as the INTRODUCTION to his accompaniment. Take a look (PDF example) and tell me your thoughts about what he did on the feast of the Flight of Our Lord Jesus Christ into Egypt (17 February). And now I must go because “tempus fugit” as they say!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Reminder” — Month of October (2025)
    Those who don’t sign up for our free EMAIL NEWSLETTER miss important notifications. Last week, for example, I sent a message about this job opening for a music director paying $65,000 per year plus benefits (plus weddings & funerals). Notice the job description says: “our vision for sacred music is to move from singing at Mass to truly singing the Mass wherein … especially the propers, ordinaries, and dialogues are given their proper place.” Signing up couldn’t be easier: simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    New Bulletin Article • “12 October 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 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
    The American Catholic Hymnal, with IMPRIMATUR granted (25 April 1991) by the Archdiocese of Chicago, is like a compendium of every horrible idea from the 1980s. Imagine being forced to stand all through Communion (even afterwards) when those self-same ‘enlightened’ liturgists moved the SEQUENCE before the Alleluia to make sure congregations wouldn’t have to stand during it. (Even worse, everything about the SEQUENCE—including its name—means it should follow the Alleluia.) And imagine endlessly repeating “Alleluia” during Holy Communion at every single Mass. It was all part of an effort to convince people that Holy Communion was historically a procession (which it wasn’t).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Fifty years ago, Dr. Theodore Marier made available this clever arrangement (PDF) of “Come down, O love divine” by P. R. Dietterich. The melody was composed in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (d. 1958) and named in honor of of his birthplace: DOWN AMPNEY. The arrangement isn’t a strict canon, but it does remind one of a canon since the pipe organ employs “points of imitation.” The melody and text are #709 in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“The Church has always kept, and wishes still to maintain everywhere, the language of her Liturgy; and, before the sad and violent changes of the 16th century, this eloquent and effective symbol of unity of faith and communion of the faithful was, as you know, cherished in England not less than elsewhere. But this has never been regarded by the Holy See as incompatible with the use of popular hymns in the language of each country.”

— Pope Leo XIII (1898)

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