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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

Eyes on Your Own Paper

Andrew R. Motyka · November 12, 2014

T FINALLY HAPPENED. After months of rumor, speculation, and innuendo, Cardinal Burke was removed from his position in the Apostolic Signatura, the Catholic Church’s equivalent of the supreme court. Much has been made of this move by both liberals and conservatives, some supporting Cardinal Burke for his faithful service and voice, and others criticizing him for his penchant for liturgical finery and perceived lack of mercy. Both Cardinal Burke and Pope Francis have been the subject of much discussion on the Catholic blogosphere for the last few days. But before I go giving my opinion of the whole thing, I’d like to ask a question:

What do I really know about this?

Very little, actually. I know a little bit about Cardinal Burke, and I know that his move from the Signatura was announced, at least unofficially, before the Synod (so his statements there had no impact on his removal). Other than that, I know next to nothing, and neither do you. We don’t know if he will be asked to do something else of importance down the line, we don’t know if he did a good job on the Apostolic Signatura (the most important factor in whether he stayed or went), heck, we don’t even know if he asked to be moved. I, for one, couldn’t name for you a single case that the court has ever heard, but in the last week we’ve all become Canon Law experts with strong opinions on the matter. So my opinion on this whole thing is that I shouldn’t even have one.

So what does all this have to do with music, art, and liturgy (you know, the focus of this blog)? Nothing. And that’s exactly my point. None of this has anything to do with me, directly or indirectly. This decision will not impact my ministry as a music director nor my vocation as a husband and father. Worse yet, every second we in the Church waste talking about Cardinal Burke or the Vatican People Magazine power dynamics, we’re not talking about Jesus, and we’re not keeping the focus where it belongs.

There are important issues facing the Church right now (as always), but no more important than the primary mission she has always had: the salvation of souls in Jesus Christ. We each have our part to play in this mission, and treating Vatican politics like a Western celebrity obsession isn’t helping. Chances are Cardinal Burke and Pope Francis have had more than one cup of coffee together, and don’t primarily communicate with one another through the media. Even if there is a shift in personality over there, our mission remains the same. Let’s not use this as one more opportunity to draw lines in the sand and divide a Church that should be united in her cause.

Let’s keep our eyes on our own papers. No one needs to hear this as much as me. Part of me wanted to sit down today and write a blog entry about my thoughts on the situation, and when I started to think and write, I realized that it matters not one little bit what I think and write about this. So let’s make a difference where we actually can, and let the dead bury their dead while we follow Christ.

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 Andrew R. Motyka

Andrew Motyka is the Archdiocesan Director of Liturgical Music and Cathedral Music for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.—(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    “What Martin Luther Said…”
    My pastor asked me to write little columns for the bulletin each week. The article for 20 July 2025 has been posted, and it’s called: “What Luther Said…” Martin Luther (an ex-priest and apostate) was an infamous heretic whose ignorance of JESUS CHRIST was only exceeded by his filthy and disgusting vulgarity.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Music List” • 15th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I prepared for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (13 July 2025). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and propers for this Sunday are also provided at the the feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    This coming Sunday—13 July 2025—is the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). All the chants have been conveniently assembled and posted at the feasts website. The OFFERTORY, Ad Te Levávi, is particularly beautiful.
    —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

An Indult of the “Commission for Russia” (25 November 1929) authorizes Bishops and Administrators Apostolic in Russia to permit the celebration of Mass and the reception of Holy Communion in the afternoon or evening, on condition that a Eucharistic fast of four hours from noon be observed.

— Sacred Congregation of Rites, 25 nov 1929

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