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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

Secular Architecture

Fr. David Friel · March 23, 2014

HILADELPHIA FAMILY COURT has been the focus of a fascinating debate over the value of art. The court has been housed for many decades in a neo-classical palace on Logan Square, built (remarkably) during the years of the Great Depression. It is an edifice replete with murals, frescoes, and canvases, worthy of its position along our city’s very cosmopolitan Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The Family Court will soon relocate, however, to a lackluster new box of a building at 15th & Arch, while the old building becomes home to a high-end hotel.

When plans for the move first came into being, the designs for the new courthouse were brought before the Philadelphia Art Commission. The building has been described—by the architect, himself—as “relatively flat” and “kind of vanilla.” The Chief Justice of Pennsylvania added that it will be “very utilitarian.” After being thoroughly underwhelmed by the design, the Commission gave approval only on the condition that significant public art be included in the budget. This was a noble attempt to salvage what could otherwise have become a totally uncultured construction project.

The project changed hands, though, and the government agency that took control declined to include public art in the budget. For a few years, it looked like this project was doomed to be a marked cultural regression. Then, just last week, the Chief Justice made the surprise announcement that he was hiring an art consultant to manage the acquisition of quality art for the lobby and other public spaces of the new courthouse. It is unclear what prompted this change of heart, but it may be partially attributable to the chronicling of Inga Saffrom, Architecture Critic for The Inquirer. (See her articles from: February 12, 2010, July 30, 2010, March 3, 2014, and March 21, 2014.) Whatever the impetus, the change in course has been widely welcomed here in the City of Brotherly Love.

HILE THE NEW BUILDING will be no rival for its grand predecessor, it is nevertheless encouraging that our city has acknowledged (albeit to a limited extent) the value and relevance of public art. Art came close to being a non-consideration in this undertaking, but it has mercifully been spared.

The new Family Court will welcome many vulnerable people through its doors in the coming years. There will be battered spouses, abandoned children, and troubled teenagers standing in its lobby, pacing its corridors, and crying in its restrooms. For the same reason that beautiful sacred architecture is beneficial to the poor man’s soul, beautiful secular architecture has the power to benefit the fragile member of society. Good architecture—whether sacred or secular—protects us, nourishes us, and uplifts us.

HE EFFECT OF ARCHITECTURE on the soul of humanity cannot be ignored, nor should it be minimized. Good architecture is good for the soul, and bad architecture is deleterious. As this case of public record demonstrates, disregard for beauty in architecture is not only an issue within the Church and the wider province of sacred arts, but also in governmental construction. This is a battle that is not going away.

In this round, art seems to have won a half victory. No amount of high quality art could ever transform a utilitarian structure into an aesthetic masterpiece, but the inclusion of works of art can at least mollify some of the clinical feel of a boring or brusque building.

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Beauty, Sacred Architecture 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 • “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
    “Entrance Chant” • 23rd (Ordinary Time)
    This coming Sunday, 7 September 2025, is the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). You can download the “Entrance Chant,” conveniently located at the feasts website. I also recorded a rehearsal video for it (freely available at the same website). The Communion Chant includes gorgeous verses in FAUXBOURDON. I attempted to create a rehearsal video for it, and it’s been posted at the feasts website, called by some: “church music’s best kept secret.”
    —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

Re: Low Mass: “It is desirable that in read Masses on Sundays and feast-days, the Gospel and Epistle be read by a lector in the vernacular for the convenience of the faithful.”

— 1958 document, issued under Pope Pius XII

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