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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

Tu Es Petrus

Aurelio Porfiri · August 26, 2014

DON’T THINK POPE FRANCIS needs my words to defend him, because he would know very well how to do it himself. Also, to be honest, while I cannot say that I agree on everything he is doing, in general I believe that he deserves a deep respect for his actions.

Before continuing, I must ask my readers to avoid a very big mistake that is quite common in Catholic literature, the belief that if you defend Pope Francis it means you are against Pope emeritus Benedict XVI, and that if you exalt Benedict XVI it means you hate Pope Francis; neither of which is true my case. If you read my posts here and in other places, or my books and articles, you immediately will feel that I belong to the side of Benedict. Indeed I have a deep admiration and respect for him, and his ideas have influenced me a lot. This will never change. However, I realize that to put the two popes one against the other is a nonsense, as they address different problems in our society, with a different perspective and with a different worldview and background. They have different interests and priorities, and this is shown in their pastoral action.

First we face the issue of liturgy; of course Pope Benedict was very sensitive on this issue, being a lover of beauty as expressed in Catholic Tradition, a lover of music and art; this makes me feel, even now, still very close to him. My book “Il canto dei Secoli” was described by a theologian very close to Pope Benedict XVI’s teachings as deeply influenced by the thinking of the German Pope. I confirm, and still now confront myself with this great Pope. Pope Francis is a man of deep faith but the reflection about the issues surrounding liturgy is not among his priorities. He wants again to show the mercy of Jesus in a very troubled world, and is doing this with his actions, that of course are very easily misunderstood.

At present, it seems he hasn’t changed anything spectacular in the liturgy, with the exception of the document about the sign of peace, that indeed was not seen with favor from progressive liturgists. Jorge Mario Bergoglio was used to visiting the very poor in the slums of Buenos Aires and so has seen the deep frailty of our humanity. This is why I like his phrase, about the Church being a “field hospital,” because we are all weak and in need of help and forgiveness. We are all burdened with sins and we need understanding together with the need to find the right way. Cardinal Newman has said that “we are going to heaven backward”; yes, despite our efforts and a few exceptional models in the saints, we should be honest with ourselves and recognize our weak nature and our need for help, help where we are (the field hospital), to be reached where our sins most hurt.

I hope I am not mistaken when I say that Pope Francis is acting in this direction in his own peculiar way; of course, being himself a sinner too (as he defines himself when asked by an Italian journalist) he may also misread situations and commit mistakes. In that occasion we can only hope that the words of Jesus, “Tu es Petrus,” will be for him the best cure and will be enough to restore his spirit and help him in the titanic mission of giving to a lost world the only hope that can still save it.


BOTTEGA • Aurelio Porfiri is where you can discover
many of Mæstro Porfiri’s compositions in PDF format.

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 Aurelio Porfiri

Renowned as composer, conductor, theorist, author, pedagogue, and organist, Aurelio Porfiri has served the Church on multiple continents at the highest levels. Born and raised in Italy, he currently serves as Director of Choral Activities and Composer in Residence for Santa Rosa de Lima School (Macao, China).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ with regard to 1960s switch to vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Reminder” — Month of October (2025)
    Those who don’t sign up for our free EMAIL NEWSLETTER miss important notifications. Last week, for example, I sent a message about this job opening for a music director paying $65,000 per year plus benefits (plus weddings & funerals). Notice the job description says: “our vision for sacred music is to move from singing at Mass to truly singing the Mass wherein … especially the propers, ordinaries, and dialogues are given their proper place.” Signing up couldn’t be easier: simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Music List” • 27th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 5 October 2025, which is the 27th 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. Readers will want to check out the ENTRANCE CHANT posted there, which has a haunting melody (in the DEUTERUS MODE) and extremely powerful text.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
    The American Catholic Hymnal, with IMPRIMATUR granted (25 April 1991) by the Archdiocese of Chicago, is like a compendium of every horrible idea from the 1980s. Imagine being forced to stand all through Communion (even afterwards) when those self-same ‘enlightened’ liturgists moved the SEQUENCE before the Alleluia to make sure congregations wouldn’t have to stand during it. (Even worse, everything about the SEQUENCE—including its name—means it should follow the Alleluia.) And imagine endlessly repeating “Alleluia” during Holy Communion at every single Mass. It was all part of an effort to convince people that Holy Communion was historically a procession (which it wasn’t).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Fifty years ago, Dr. Theodore Marier made available this clever arrangement (PDF) of “Come down, O love divine” by P. R. Dietterich. The melody was composed in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (d. 1958) and named in honor of of his birthplace: DOWN AMPNEY. The arrangement isn’t a strict canon, but it does remind one of a canon since the pipe organ employs “points of imitation.” The melody and text are #709 in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Did they simplify these hymn harmonies?
    Choirs love to sing the famous & splendid tune called “INNSBRUCK.” Looking through a (Roman Catholic) German hymnal printed in 1952, I discovered what appears to be a simplified version of that hymn. In other words, their harmonization is much less complex than the version found in the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal (which is suitable for singing by SATB choir). Please download their 1952 harmonization (PDF) and let me know your thoughts. I really like the groovy Germanic INTRODUCTION they added.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“I prefer to say nothing, or very little, about the new calendar, the handiwork of a trio of maniacs who suppressed—with no good reason—Septuagesima and the Octave of Pentecost and who scattered three quarters of the Saints higgledy-piddledy, all based on notions of their own devising!”

— ‘Fr. Bouyer, Consilium member appointed by Pope Paul VI’

Recent Posts

  • New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
  • “Reminder” — Month of October (2025)
  • “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
  • Involving Women in the Communion?
  • “Toward a More Sacred Style With Pastoral Charity” • Guest Article by Dr. Myrna Keough

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