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Views from the Choir Loft

The Society for Catholic Liturgy

Fr. David Friel · October 12, 2014

HIS 21ST CENTURY is blessed by the ongoing work of numerous organizations committed to true liturgical reform. Equally favorable is the spirit of cooperation that flourishes among them. Without a doubt, at the scholarly level, there is no organization more excellent and timely than the Society for Catholic Liturgy (SCL).

On its website, the society describes itself as “a multidisciplinary association of Catholic scholars, teachers, pastors, and professionals—including architects and musicians—in the Anglophone world.” Since its founding in 1995, the non-profit group has promoted scholarly liturgical studies and practical renewal of the sacred liturgy. Earlier this month, SCL hosted its annual conference on the topic of “The Temple Transformed: Liturgy, Art, Music, Architecture, and the Fulfillment of the Old Testament.” Highlighting the impressive schedule of presentations was the keynote address given by Bishop James D. Conley of Lincoln, NE.

One of the chief works of SCL is the publication of Antiphon: A Journal for Liturgical Renewal three times each year. In the present edition (Vol. 18, no. 2, 2014), readers will find contributions from two CCW bloggers. First, Andy Motyka has published therein a book review of the Saint Isaac Jogues Illuminated Missal, Lectionary, and Gradual, published by the Pope John Paul II Institute for Liturgical Renewal. The review is excellent, both carefully considered and clearly expressed.

Among the three main articles in the volume, one is a piece I have written entitled The Propriety of the Propers: Toward the Independence of Liturgical Chant and Popular Hymnody. This article advocates for the restored role of the Proprium Missae in the Roman liturgy, focusing on the specific virtues of the propers. If further proposes the building up of the popular hymn tradition in its own native environment. Finally, in the article, I outline a pastoral plan for how to bolster both distinct genres.

If you would like to read this article in full, along with Andy’s book review, consider subscribing to Antiphon or even becoming a member of the Society for Catholic Liturgy. Among the many instruments of liturgical reform operating in today’s Church, SCL is one of the finest.

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Authentic Liturgical Renewal Reform, Graduale Romanum Roman Gradual Propers, Hymns Replacing Propers, Jogues Illuminated Missal Lectionary Gradual, Propers, Secular vs Sacred Music at Mass, Singing the Mass, St Isaac Jogues Illuminated Missal Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Fr. David Friel

Ordained in 2011, Father Friel served as Parochial Vicar at Saint Anselm Church in Northeast Philly before earning a doctorate in liturgical theology at The Catholic University of America. He presently serves as Vocation Director for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and teaches liturgy at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.—(Read full biography).

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Quick Thoughts

    Tempo?? • 𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘺 𝘎𝘰𝘥, 𝘞𝘦 𝘗𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘛𝘩𝘺 𝘕𝘢𝘮𝘦
    Once, after Mass, my pastor said he really loved the hymn we did. I said: “Father, that's Holy God, We Praise Thy Name—you never heard it before?” He replied: “But the way you did it was terrific. For once, it didn't sound like a funeral dirge!” Last Sunday, our volunteer choir sang that hymn. I think the tempo was just about right … but what do you think?
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Don’t You Agree About These?
    If you want to make Jeff Ostrowski really happy, send him an email with effusive praise about the individual voice recordings for hymn #296. [Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass] They came out dazzlingly sensational, don't you agree?
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Choral Vowels? Yes? No?
    Here's a live recording of one of the choral “warm-up” exercises my choir enjoys. It was taken during our rehearsal on 27 January 2023. It’s good to make sure each chord is perfectly in tune and balanced before moving to the next one. That only happens when each singer has the correct vowel. If you like, you can freely download that vocal exercise.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

St Ambrose had to be “corrected” by Pope Urban VIII. The ‘Iste confessor’ was greatly altered and the hymn for the Dedication of a Church—which no one ought to have touched—was in fact completely recast in a new meter. Singular demand, made by the taste of that particular epoch!

— Re: The hymn revisions of Pope Urban VIII (d. 1644)

Recent Posts

  • Tempo?? • 𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘺 𝘎𝘰𝘥, 𝘞𝘦 𝘗𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘛𝘩𝘺 𝘕𝘢𝘮𝘦
  • PDF Download • Belgian Book of Gregorian Accompaniments (Official Edition)
  • Don’t You Agree About These?
  • Choral Vowels? Yes? No?
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