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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

150 Years of Sacred Music

Fr. David Friel · May 25, 2014

N THE EARLY CHURCH, particular Churches were noted for specific strengths (and, sometimes, specific weaknesses). The same is true even now. There are certain dioceses throughout the world that are especially notable in one fashion or another, for example: Venice, Manila, München und Freising, Westminster, New York, Paris, Montreal, Calcutta, Armagh, and so many others. These sees have become notable on account of various factors. In some cases, what makes the place noteworthy is its historical or political import. In other cases, the significance is the cultural richness of the place. In still other places, it is the saintly figures the territory has produced that make it stand out.

Within the United States, even, there are some dioceses that stand out in unique ways: St. Louis, Los Angeles, Baltimore, Boston, etc. Similarly, within every diocese, there are certain parishes that are especially remarkable, whether on account of history, architecture, outreach, or some other unique feature. As members of a hierarchical Church, none of this should surprise or upset us. After all, when one member of the Body is honored, all of us share in that member’s joy (c.f., 1 Corinthians 12:26).

Philadelphia is my home, so I naturally have a fondness for the place. My predispositions notwithstanding, Philadelphia is objectively a local Church of great richness. It is home to a Latin Rite diocese and a Ukrainian archeparchy. It claims both St. Katharine Drexel and St. John Neumann as its own. Philadelphia set a model for the rest of the country with its Catholic school system and its Forty Hours devotions. It is the birthplace of freedom and the nation’s first capital. Philadelphia has hosted a Eucharistic Congress and a papal visit (from St. John Paul II), and the archdiocese is presently preparing for next year’s World Meeting of Families, expected to bring Pope Francis to these shores.

All of these factors contribute to the richness I see in the Church of Philadelphia. When we celebrated our bicentennial as a diocese in 2008, these blessings were all collected and organized in a history book that was distributed through our parishes. Another factor that distinguishes the tradition of our archdiocese is its long history of sacred music. What is it about sacred music in Philadelphia that is worthy of note? I encourage you to check out this recently published brief booklet to see for yourself.

Beyond the contents of that booklet, there are many other notable facts about this city’s contributions to sacred music. It was in Philadelphia, for instance, that the first American Catholic hymnal was published (Litanies and Vesper Hymns and Anthems as They are Sung in the Catholic Church Adapted to the Voice and Organ, John Aitken, 1787). Philadelphia was home for more than 40 years to Nicolai Montani, famous for his St. Gregory’s Hymnal, which used to be standard issue for Catholic choirs. Lorenzo Perosi, former Maestro of the Sistine Choir and co-writer of Pope St. Pius X’s Tra le Sollecitudini, had connections with St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, for which he composed a Mass. For decades, liturgical music in Philadelphia was under the helm of the incomparable Dr. Peter Lamanna, once dubbed “Mr. Church Music” by a local newspaper. Today, Philadelphia boasts a terrific Archdiocesan Choir, Archdiocesan Boys Choir, Archdiocesan Girls Choir, and a Cathedral Concert series that attracts serious ensembles of the highest quality.

Many great things could be said of every local Church. Collecting a history such as this one might be a worthy endeavor for your diocese.

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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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    “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
    “Music List” • 21st in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Our choir returns on Sunday, 24 August 2025. Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for it, which is the 21st 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. When it comes to the feast of the Assumption (15 August 2025), I have uploaded the music list for that Mass—but not the “bi-lingual” Mass in the evening (Spanish, Latin, and English) which has completely different music.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    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

Random Quote

“We must say it plainly: the Roman rite as we knew it exists no more. It has gone. Some walls of the structure have fallen, others have been altered—we can look at it as a ruin or as the partial foundation of a new building. Think back, if you remember it, to the Latin sung High Mass with Gregorian chant. Compare it with the modern post-Vatican II Mass. It is not only the words, but also the tunes and even certain actions that are different. In fact it is a different liturgy of the Mass.”

— Fr. Joseph Gelineau (1978)

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