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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

Pope Pius XII’s First Communion Day

Veronica Brandt · October 11, 2014

929 Pius XII NY REASON WILL DO to mention Pope Pius XII. He is the first Pope to visit America, the first to publish papal speeches in the vernacular and the first representative of any major organization to make an official denunciation of Nazism.

After Jeff’s post about children gamboling around our sovereign pontiff, a friend gave this comment:

Pope Pius XII was, in his own way, perhaps the boldest innovator among the Popes of the twentieth century, the most frequently quoted in Vatican II, both overall, and in every single document except Gaudium et Spes. He started a program to recognize the maturity of the faith in missionary countries by ordaining native born bishops (including in Australia), made the statement “The Laity are the Church“, anticipated the Second Vatican Council in pointing out that the laity are called to evangelical perfection (Evangelii Praecones, 36; Mystici Corporis, 17), pointed out that the laity do “in a sense, offer the divine victim” (Mediator Dei, 86), anticipated the later emphasis on Collegiality (properly understood) by placing the relationship of the Episcopate to Christ before talking about the significant role of Peter and his successors (Mystici Corporis, 40-43), encouraged ecumenism (Mystici Corporis, 96; The Holy Office Instruction, On the Ecumenical Movement). In fact, I would hold that recognizing the continuity of Pope Pius XII with the Second Vatican Council is key to reading the Council correctly. – Br Robert OP

So I flipped to my trusty biography of Pope Pius XII by Cardinal Cushing and find the anniversary of this Pope’s death was just a few days ago on October 9. Maybe one day that will be his feast day.

Not to be put off, I scanned through the handy chronology and found that today is the anniversary of Eugenio Pacelli’s first Holy Communion in 1886. He was ten years old.

I’d like to share some photos with you. He served through turbulent times yet made time for the liturgy.

After the bombing near St John Lateran Archbishop Pacelli assisting POWs Archbishop Pacelli with POWs Pope Pius XII reaching out to a youngster Pope Pius XII saying Mass Young Pope Pius XII
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 Veronica Brandt

Veronica Brandt holds a Bachelor Degree in Electrical Engineering. She lives near Sydney, Australia, with her husband and six children.—(Read full biography).

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President’s Corner

    PDF Download • “Offertory” for this Sunday
    This coming Sunday, 12 October 2025, is the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). Its OFFERTORY ANTIPHON (PDF) is gorgeous, and comes from the book of Esther, as did the ENTRANCE CHANT last Sunday. Depending on a variety of factors, various hand-missals (all with Imprimatur) translate this passage differently. For instance, “príncipis” can be rendered: King; Prince; Lion; or Fierce lord. None is “more correct” than another. It depends on what each translator wants to emphasize and which source text is chosen. All these pieces of plainsong are conveniently stored at the blue-ribbon feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Why A “Fugue” Here?
    I believe I know why this plainsong harmonizer created a tiny fugue as the INTRODUCTION to his accompaniment. Take a look (PDF example) and tell me your thoughts about what he did on the feast of the Flight of Our Lord Jesus Christ into Egypt (17 February). And now I must go because “tempus fugit” as they say!
    —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

Quick Thoughts

    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’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “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

Random Quote

If the homily goes on too long, it will affect two characteristic elements of the liturgical celebration: its balance and its rhythm. The words of the preacher must be measured, so that the Lord, more than his minister, will be the center of attention.

— Pope Francis (11/24/2013)

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