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Views from the Choir Loft

Assumption Mass

Fr. David Friel · August 13, 2014

OR ALL THOSE in striking distance of the Delaware Valley, please make note of the open invitation to the Assumption Mass being offered this Friday evening in Philadelphia. The Assumption Mass tradition began fourteen years ago as an act of gratitude to God for the establishment of Mater Ecclesiae, the first diocesan-owned and staffed TLM parish in the United States (part of the Camden Diocese). This is the first year that the Mass will be celebrated in the Cathedral Basilica of Ss. Peter & Paul in Philadelphia.

The Celebrant of the Mass, who will also deliver the sermon, is Msgr. Andrew Wadsworth. Originally a priest of the Diocese of Westminster, London, he is now the superior of the Oratorian Community of St Philip Neri, an oratory in formation in the Archdiocese of Washington. Msgr. Wadsworth has also served as Executive Director of the International Commission for English in the Liturgy (ICEL) since 2009, responsible for the English translations of Latin liturgical texts for use in the Anglophone world.

Each year, the Assumption Mass features terrific orchestral and choral music. This year, the Ordinary of the Mass will be the Missa in Angustiis, or “Lord Nelson Mass,” of Franz Joseph Haydn, sung with full orchestra. Other works will include the motets Salve Regina by Antonio Salieri, Salutatio D.N.I.C. by Ludwig Senfl, Beata Viscera Gregor Aichinger, the Adagio from Tomaso Albioni’s Concerto for 2 Oboes in G Major, the Hodie Maria Virgo by Luca Marenzio, and the Tantum Ergo by Mozart. The postlude will be Concerto for 2 trumpets in D Major by Giuseppe Maria Jacchini. The traditional hymns O Sanctissima and Hail, Holy Queen, arranged by the Music Director, Dr Timothy McDonnell, will also be sung.

This Solemn High Mass of the Assumption, celebrated in the Extraordinary Form, will begin at 7 PM at the Cathedral Basilica of Ss. Peter & Paul (18th Street & Benjamin Franklin Parkway). All are welcome.

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Beauty in the Catholic Liturgy, Extraordinary Form 1962 Missal, Latin Mass, Roman Missal Third Edition, Summorum Pontificum, Traditional Latin Mass Tridentine Rite 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

    Luis Martínez Must Go!
    Sevilla Cathedral (entry dated 13 December 1564): The chapter orders Luis Martínez, a cathedral chaplain, to stay away from the choirbook-stand when the rest of the singers gather around it to sing polyphony—the reason being that “he throws the others out of tune.” [Excerpt from “The Life of Father Francisco Guerrero.”]
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Urgent! • We Desperately Need Funds!
    A few days ago, the president of Corpus Christi Watershed posted this urgent appeal for funds. Please help us make sure we’re never forced to place our content behind a paywall. We feel it’s crucial that 100% of our content remains free to everyone. We’re a tiny 501(c)3 public charity, entirely dependent upon the generosity of small donors. We have no endowment and no major donors. We run no advertisements and have no savings. We beg you to consider donating $4.00 per month. Thank you!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Booklet of Eucharistic Hymns” (16 pages)
    I was asked to create a booklet for my parish to use during our CORPUS CHRISTI PROCESSION on 22 June 2025. Would you be willing to look over the DRAFT BOOKLET (16 pages) I came up with? I tried to include a variety of hymns: some have a refrain; some are in major, others in minor; some are metered, others are plainsong; some are in Spanish, some are in Latin, but most are in English. Normally, we’d use the Brébeuf Hymnal—but we can’t risk having our congregation carry those heavy books all over the city to various churches.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    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
    Antiphons Don’t Match?
    A reader wants to know why the Entrance and Communion antiphons in certain publications deviate from what’s prescribed by the GRADUALE ROMANUM published after Vatican II. Click here to read our answer. The short answer is: the Adalbert Propers were never intended to be sung. They were intended for private Masses only (or Masses without music). The “Graduale Parvum,” published by the John Henry Newman Institute of Liturgical Music in 2023, mostly uses the Adalbert Propers—but sometimes uses the GRADUALE text: e.g. Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (29 June).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

Impelled by the weightiest of reasons, we are fully determined to restore Latin to its position of honor, and to do all We can to promote its study and use. The employment of Latin has recently been contested in many quarters, and many are asking what the mind of the Apostolic See is in this matter. We have therefore decided to issue the timely directives contained in this document, so as to ensure that the ancient and uninterrupted use of Latin be maintained and, where necessary, restored.”

— Pope John XXIII (22 February 1962)

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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.

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