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Views from the Choir Loft

Pope John Paul II Wearing The Cappa Magna (As Cardinal Wojtyla)

Jeff Ostrowski · August 25, 2014

923 JP2 Cappa WAS SITTING IN A BANK. In walked four men dressed in suits with beautiful ties and handkerchiefs. They went down the corridor and began conducting business with clients. The attire of these men was totally appropriate. Can you imagine getting a loan from someone dressed in bermuda shorts and a Tank Top?

It makes me sad when priests wearing their proper “uniform” are subjected to mockery by progressive liturgists. Why don’t they leave our priests alone and instead criticize bankers wearing suits? Anyone who’s truly human understands perfectly why we dress up for certain events. Doing so is natural, fitting, and appropriate.

Priests should never be embarrassed to wear proper attire, any more than a soldier should be embarrassed to wear his uniform. By the way, my wife’s family members are all involved with the armed forces (Navy, Marines, and so on), so I’ve seen some really nice uniforms over the years. The most marvelous uniform I ever saw was the one worn by Prince Charles when he married Diana.

POPE SAINT JOHN PAUL II, like Pius XII, understood the seriousness of being a «Prince of the Church» and often wore the Cappa Magna (even as late as 1968). Here are some photographs showing John Paul II in proper attire:

925 A Cappa 924 B Cappa 727 version 1

I will not here address Cappaphobia — a malady afflicting those who haven’t used Google to learn the true history of the “Cappa Magna.” However, the words of Monsignor Patrick Brankin (who is mentioned by name in the Jogues Missal) are worthy of consideration:

HE CAPPA MAGNA does indeed represent the finery of the world: its power and prestige. That is why—after his entrance wearing it—the prelate is publicly stripped of this finery, and humbled before the congregation. Then, vestment by vestment, the bishop is clothed in the new man of which St. Paul speaks, including the baptismal alb, dalmatic of charity, stole of pardon, maniple of sorrow, and chasuble of mercy. When finally clothed in Christ, the prelate makes a second entrance into the church to begin the Eucharistic celebration in persona Christi, the visible head of the body (the Church).

It was a clear statement that the power and prestige of the world have no place at the altar, but it is expressed in a liturgical ritual or symbol, which, unfortunately, are often lacking in the contemporary rites and thus hard to grasp.   (source)

It’s worth considering that Judas Iscariot was the first person to object to having beautiful vestments at Mass (Jn 12:5).

To see more pictures of Karol Cardinal Wojtyla wearing the Cappa Magna, click here. To learn about “distinctive garb” for Catholic priests, click here. For the record, here’s Pope John XXIII wearing the Cappa Magna (courtesy of Orbis Catholicus):

920 John XXIII cappa magna

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Cappa Magna Liturgical Vestment Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Jeff Ostrowski

Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004). He resides with his wife and children in Los Angeles.—(Read full biography).

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Alabama Assessment!

We received this evaluation of Symposium 2022 from an Alabama participant:

“Oh, how the Symposium echoed the words of Cardinal Merry Del Val: …choosing only what is most conformed to Thy glory, which is my final aim. In one short and fast paced week, the faculty and attendees showed me the hand of God and our Lady working in our lives. The wide range of education—from Gregorian Chant, jazz modes in organ improvisation, to ‘staying sane’ while leading a choir—were certainly first-class knowledge from the best teachers of the art. However, the most powerful lesson was learning how to pray as a choir. The sacrifice of putting songs together, taking time to learn the sacred text, meditating on the church teaching through the chants, and gaining the virtues required to persevere in these duties were not only qualities of a choir but of a saint. The sanctification of the lives of the attendees was a beautiful outcome of this event … and that in itself is worth more than a beautifully-sung Solesmes style chant!”

—Jeff Ostrowski
PDF Download • Trinity Sunday (22 pages)

Feel free to download this Organ Accompaniment Booklet for Trinity Sunday (Second Vespers). Notice how the modes progress by number. Psalm 1 is mode 1; Psalm 2 is mode 2; Psalm 3 is mode 3; Psalm 4 is mode 4; Psalm 5 is mode 5. I am told by an expert that other feasts (such as Corpus Christi) are likewise organized by mode, and it’s called a “numerical office.”

—Jeff Ostrowski
10 June 2022 • “Official” rhythm of plainsong

I continue to search for the most beautiful way to present the “pure” Editio Vaticana scores. (Technically, the “pure” rhythm of the official edition is what everyone is supposed to use.) You can download my latest attempt, which is the Introit for this coming Sunday: Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. Because this is not an ancient feast, the Introit had to be adapted (perhaps around 750AD). Prior Johner says the adaptation is “not an entirely happy one.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“In the Latin Church the pipe organ is to be held in high esteem, for it is the traditional musical instrument which adds a wonderful splendor to the Church’s ceremonies and powerfully lifts up man’s mind to God and to higher things.”

— Vatican II Council

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