Views from the Choir Loft

Mass for Artists on May 4th in NYC

Gwyneth Holston · April 14, 2014

HE CATHOLIC ARTISTS SOCIETY will be hosting its annual Mass for Artists, Sunday May 4th at 3pm at the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral, Manhattan. Members, patrons and friends of the society are invited to attend with their families.

This year’s Mass will mark the 15th anniversary of Bl. John Paul II’s Letter to Artists, published on April 4, 1999. To celebrate this anniversary, the Catholic Artists Society has chosen a Mass setting composed during JPII’s lifetime, the Berliner Messe by the Estonian composer, Arvo Part. Organist Jared Lamenzo will lead a professional choir in this contemplative setting of the Mass.

Mass will be offered according to the Missal of Bl. Pope John XXIII, who will be canonized with Pope JPII the previous Sunday. The celebrant will be Father Brian Taylor of the Church of St. Benedict in the Bronx. He will be assisted by Father Jean Paul Soler, pastor of the Church of St. Denis in Yonkers, NY, and Father Matthew Newcombe, chaplain at Kennedy Catholic High School in Somers, NY. Monsignor Donald Sakano, pastor of the basilica of St. Patrick, will offer the homily.

A reception will follow in the Basilica courtyard, weather permitting.

Please RSVP for the reception by May 1st: catholicartistssociety@gmail.com

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

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.

“Music List” • 22nd in Ordinary Time (Year C)

Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 31 August 2025, which is the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). 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

“The Worm That Dieth Not”

My pastor asked me to write a column for our parish bulletin with reflections on the sacred liturgy and church music. In my most recent article, I discuss “The Worm That Dieth Not.” At this website, you can access it conveniently; simply scroll down to the one dated 31 August 2025.

—Jeff Ostrowski

A Nice Hymn In Spanish

In my humble opinion, this is a really beautiful hymn in Spanish. If I practice diligently, I’ll be able to pronounce all the words properly. If you’re someone who’s interested in obtaining a melody only version (suitable for your congregational ORDER OF WORSHIP) you can steal that from this.

—Jeff Ostrowski

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

Pope Pius XII Hymnal?

Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.

—Corpus Christi Watershed

“Hybrid” Chant Notation?

Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.

—Corpus Christi Watershed