• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

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.”

  • Donate
  • Our Team
    • Our Editorial Policy
    • Who We Are
    • How To Contact Us
    • Sainte Marie Bulletin Articles
    • Jeff’s Mom Joins Fundraiser
  • Pew Resources
    • Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal
    • Jogues Illuminated Missal
    • KYRIALE • Saint Antoine Daniel
    • Campion Missal, 3rd Edition
    • Repository • “Spanish Music”
    • Ordinary Form Feasts (Sainte-Marie)
  • MUSICAL WEBSITES
    • René Goupil Gregorian Chant
    • Noël Chabanel Psalms
    • Nova Organi Harmonia (2,279 pages)
    • Roman Missal, 3rd Edition
    • Catechism of Gregorian Rhythm
    • Father Enemond Massé Manuscripts
    • Lalemant Polyphonic
  • Miscellaneous
    • Site Map
    • Secrets of the Conscientious Choirmaster
    • “Wedding March” for lazy organists
    • Emporium Kevin Allen
    • Saint Jean de Lalande Library
    • Sacred Music Symposium 2023
    • The Eight Gregorian Modes
    • Gradual by Pothier’s Protégé
    • Seven (7) Considerations
Views from the Choir Loft

Homily: Most Holy Trinity (Year A)

Guest Author · June 14, 2014

0319_charge_to_Peter-crp He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” HENEVER someone lets us know intimate and deep secrets about them, it shows that they must have great trust in us and that we must be very dear and special to them. We just don’t share intimate and deep secrets about ourselves at random and without a good reason.

The nature of God. Our reason tells us that we can come to the knowledge of the existence of a God, of some supreme being who is ultimately responsible for the making of the world. Our Catholic faith also teaches us that this is possible. But our unaided reason would never be able to come to the knowledge of the fact that God is a Triune God, that is, that the One God is also the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We only know this primarily through the revelation of Jesus, the Second of these persons. We know this through what has been written in the inspired writings of what we call the New Testament and what the Church has defined and explained for us in its authentic teaching of Tradition.

A Mystery: In spite of all we might know, much still remains a mystery, in other words, something that we cannot explain. We accept it on Faith by the Divine gift of Faith. We accept the Catholic Church’s authentic exposition or presentation of this, especially as it is presented in its infallible Creeds. The best presentation or way of expressing this teaching is simply to say that in the One God there are Three Persons Who are equally God, equally sharing or being all the Divine attributes that we can think of ascribing to them. And yet we know that we will never fully understand this Divine nature. Really only a Divine nature could understand a Divine Nature. And by definition a Divine nature can only be one.

We are privileged: And yet as I said at the beginning we are privileged to know of this great mystery because God deemed us worthy to let us in on this great mystery about Him. He certainly didn’t have to. Actually in the entire Old Testament, God never explicitly or clearly revealed His Triune nature. From what we know from the New Testament, we might see some veiled references in the Old Testament. But that is about all they are. We can conjecture as to why God waited till New Testament times clearly to reveal this aspect of Himself. Many saints and Christian writers have done so. That is well and good, but they still remain conjectures.

Today’s Feast. Today we are given the opportunity in a special way to honor and adore the Holy Trinity by celebrating this Feast. (Actually we do this especially in the Traditional Mass on most Sundays when we use the preface of the Most Holy Trinity.) Each sign of the Cross, each Gloria Patri that we say or sing is in honor of the Holy Trinity. We should consider it a real privilege and honor to be able and allowed to honor and praise the Holy Trinity. Without actually saying so, I sometimes think some people almost think they are doing God a favor when they pray or go to Mass. It’s as if they are taking one of their hours and giving it back to God. They don’t seem to realize that it is God that gives us all one hundred and sixty-eight hours every week. We are not really being that generous if all we are willing to give is one hour, plus a few minutes here and there for a few scattered prayers.

Conclusion: God did not have to let us know that He is a triune God. Notice the Introit for today where it tells us to bless and praise the Trinity. What does it give as the reason? “Because He has shown His mercy to us.” Yes, when we sin, we are offending the Most Holy Trinity. Perhaps the amount of forgiveness we will receive will depend on how much we have honored the Most Holy Trinity.


We hope you enjoyed this homily 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

Subscribe

It greatly helps us if you subscribe to our mailing list!

* indicates required

Primary Sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    “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

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

“Since the English is not meant to be sung, but only to tell people who do not understand Latin what the text means, a simple paraphrase in prose is sufficient. The versions are not always very literal. Literal translations from Latin hymns would often look odd in English. I have tried to give in a readable, generally rhythmic form the real meaning of the text.”

— Fr. Adrian Fortescue (1913)

Recent Posts

  • “Music List” • 22nd in Ordinary Time (Year C)
  • Brave Schola Director Posts ‘Live’ Recording
  • “Cracker Barrel & Catholicism” • Logos and Lessons
  • “Reform of the Reform” officially embraced by USCCB
  • “The Worm That Dieth Not”

Subscribe

Subscribe

* indicates required

Copyright © 2025 Corpus Christi Watershed · Isaac Jogues on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Corpus Christi Watershed is a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to exploring and embodying as our calling the relationship of religion, culture, and the arts. This non-profit organization employs the creative media in service of theology, the Church, and Christian culture for the enrichment and enjoyment of the public.