Views from the Choir Loft

How Well Did Your Parents Know The Mass?

Jeff Ostrowski · December 17, 2014

RECENTLY had occasion to reproduce comments by Paul Inwood, one of the leading composers of Church music in the postconciliar years. Mr. Inwood explained the small percentage of postconciliar Catholics who attend Sunday Mass by saying Catholics have become a “thinking” people. He went on to say:

I think it’s fair to say, without too much caricaturing, that before the Council Catholicism was largely a gut thing, sentimental if you like. You didn’t have to know anything, but merely recite parrot-fashion the answers to catechism questions. You certainly weren’t expected to think about anything. The faith of many was quite infantile, I would say.

Consider, however, the following example, excerpted from The Crown Hymnal, produced in 1911 primarily for school children:

* * PDF Download: Crown Hymnal (1911) «ORDO MISSAE» For School Children

A.V.B. correctly pointed out that two pages are missing. If anyone can obtain them, please contact us by means of the button at the top. Thanks!

Notice the emphasis on explaining the ceremonies to these young Catholics alive during the reign of Pope Pius X. Generally speaking, the commentary is very good, although occasionally a statement might be questioned, ¹ since we’ve had the benefit of 100+ years of scholarship.

Technology has improved since 1911, and today’s Catholics can now utilize the Campion Missal when following the Extraordinary Form. The Campion «ORDO MISSAE» contains 120 full-color pages, and here are samples:

Those who attend the Ordinary Form can take advantage of the Jogues Illuminated Missal, which is basically the same thing, except corresponding to the Novus Ordo.

NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1 For example, it might not be perfectly correct to assert that “the object of the Gradual was to occupy the attention of the people while the procession for the Gospel was forming.”

About Jeff Ostrowski

A theorist, organist, and conductor, Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004), and did graduate work in Musicology. He serves as choirmaster for the new FSSP parish in Los Angeles, where he resides with his wife and children.

“Daily I sat in the temple, close to you…”

Fulton J. Sheen always said the “very best translation” of Sacred Scripture was the version by Monsignor Ronald Knox, and here’s what Knox had for the Passion read today (Pre-1955 Palm Sunday): “And Jesus said to the multitude at that hour, You have come out to my arrest with swords and clubs, as if I were a robber; and yet I used to sit teaching in the temple close to you, day after day, and you never laid hands on me.” (Mt 26:55)

Did you catch that? Our Lord sat close to them! He was near them! The Second Person of the Blessed Trinity touched them, and was friendly toward them! Truly, the people who can hurt us the most—and betray us the most—are those whom we have loved.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Sacred Music Symposium • “What We Avoid”

I wish we had to time to discuss artwork at the Sacred Music Symposium, but there’s just not enough time. At this year’s conference in June, we will sing an absolutely incredible Magnificat setting by Father Francisco Guerrero (d. 1599). If you examine the part books, you will notice a marvelous aesthetic desire to avoid the same capital letter—for the sake of beauty. Do you see how the Part Books find a way to avoid repeating the Capital G twice, by using the word “Superius” (which is roughly analogous to “Soprano”)? Breathtaking!

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Abraham” • Guerrero Imitates His Teacher

Father Francisco Guerrero (d. 1599) studied music with Father Cristóbal de Morales circa 1545. He taught himself the organ. On 3 April 1542 he was engaged as a contralto by Seville Cathedral at an annual salary of 12,000 maravedís. He remained there until 1546, when, at the age of only 17, he was invited—on the recommendation of Father Morales—to become mæstro de capilla of Jaén Cathedral. He was entrusted with the boarding, lodging, and instruction of the six choirboys; but he neglected this duty and was sentenced to be dismissed on 30 August 1548. However, he was absolved and reinstated on 3 November. I think you can see (perhaps) a little homage to his teacher on the word “Abraham.”

—Jeff Ostrowski