• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

“What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too…” Pope Benedict XVI (7 July 2007)

  • About
  • Symposium
  • Hymnal
  • Jogues Missal
  • Site Map
  • Donate
Views from the Choir Loft

A New Resolution – to read the Bible in a year

Veronica Brandt · December 27, 2014

elderly woman reading the bible Albert Anker ‘Elderly Woman Reading the Bible’ 1904 ATHOLICS AND BIBLES have something of a historical reputation for being on distant terms. It is a ridiculous situation where the very institution which declared which books would make up the Bible is derided as “un-biblical”.

It is true that Mass-going Catholics will pick up a lot of Biblical reading just by attending Mass – especially using the old meaning of the word “attend” which is to listen.

Although I know that no serious Catholic is totally ignorant of the Bible and most Catholics who care are already way above average in finding their way around the Good Book, most could hope to improve their grasp of Sacred Scripture. Maybe make it a New Year’s Resolution.

There are many plans available to guide you along the way:

Bible Study for Catholics: 90 Day Bible Reading Challenge – Read 14 books of the Bible to give a narrative of the main events – sign up for a free series of 10 minute videos or reflections starting January 2015.

Presentation Ministries: Through the Bible in One Year a plan for reading the whole bible plus twice through the Gospels. Each day is allocated three readings, a little like the Reading, Psalm and Gospel at Mass. No charge, no need to sign up, just a note asking you to donate whatever the Holy Spirit suggests. The page also includes a link to a summary printable pdf which can make three bookmarks to keep your place in your bible.

Classical Liberal Arts Academy: Sacred Scripture course which has grown from the Presentation Ministries plan. We signed up for this a few years back, but haven’t renewed and it has been developing since then. The whole school they have is really interesting and full of food for thought even if you don’t sign up.

Biblia.com is a branch of the Logos Bible Study Software. You can sign up with their Catholic arm: Verbum. Once you have an account it is possible to choose from various reading plans which you can keep up with on Biblia.com or using their software for desktop or mobile devices. The mobile apps are free.

And no list of Catholic bible studies would be complete without The St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology. Scott Hahn and his associates have so much material available there, download an audio course to accompany your commute or dig into the written bible study notes with study questions to really get you thinking. There is plenty of free material to keep you going for a year or more.

Of course you could simply set aside time to read a passage each day. Having a notebook with you is a great way to help form your thoughts and reinforce memories. If you have questions, you will find someone else in the thousands of years of Church History has wondered about the same things and there are answers available.

Having a commentary on Scripture is handy, but there are online resources such as Biblia Clerus is a Vatican project for the Clergy – cross referencing the bible with the Catechism of the Catholic Church as well as Augustine and Aquinas and other Church documents.

This post was a bit longer than I expected. In my family we have been following the Gospel readings from the Presentation Ministries plan for a few months. Lately I have been experimenting with quiz questions on a local moodle installation on our home network to encourage my older children to read the other readings too. It isn’t too hard to make a “fill-in-the-blanks” quiz with your favourite quotes from the day’s readings.

There are lots of ideas. Have a great Christmas Season!

Lulu has a coupon for 25% off through to Dec 30. Just enter TREAT at the checkout. Here is Jeff’s list of Lulu books.

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Lulu Coupons Last Updated: January 1, 2020

Subscribe to the CCW Mailing List

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).

Primary Sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

Alabama Assessment!

We received this evaluation of Symposium 2022 from an Alabama participant:

“Oh, how the Symposium echoed the words of Cardinal Merry Del Val: …choosing only what is most conformed to Thy glory, which is my final aim. In one short and fast paced week, the faculty and attendees showed me the hand of God and our Lady working in our lives. The wide range of education—from Gregorian Chant, jazz modes in organ improvisation, to ‘staying sane’ while leading a choir—were certainly first-class knowledge from the best teachers of the art. However, the most powerful lesson was learning how to pray as a choir. The sacrifice of putting songs together, taking time to learn the sacred text, meditating on the church teaching through the chants, and gaining the virtues required to persevere in these duties were not only qualities of a choir but of a saint. The sanctification of the lives of the attendees was a beautiful outcome of this event … and that in itself is worth more than a beautifully-sung Solesmes style chant!”

—Jeff Ostrowski
PDF Download • Trinity Sunday (22 pages)

Feel free to download this Organ Accompaniment Booklet for Trinity Sunday (Second Vespers). Notice how the modes progress by number. Psalm 1 is mode 1; Psalm 2 is mode 2; Psalm 3 is mode 3; Psalm 4 is mode 4; Psalm 5 is mode 5. I am told by an expert that other feasts (such as Corpus Christi) are likewise organized by mode, and it’s called a “numerical office.”

—Jeff Ostrowski
10 June 2022 • “Official” rhythm of plainsong

I continue to search for the most beautiful way to present the “pure” Editio Vaticana scores. (Technically, the “pure” rhythm of the official edition is what everyone is supposed to use.) You can download my latest attempt, which is the Introit for this coming Sunday: Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. Because this is not an ancient feast, the Introit had to be adapted (perhaps around 750AD). Prior Johner says the adaptation is “not an entirely happy one.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“Although the Mass contains much instruction for the faithful, it has nevertheless not seemed expedient to the fathers that it be celebrated everywhere in the vernacular. The holy synod commands pastors and everyone who has the care of souls to explain frequently during the celebration of the Masses, either themselves or through others, some of the things that are read in the Mass, and among other things to expound some mystery of this most Holy Sacrifice, especially on Sundays and feastdays.”

— ‘Council of Trent, XII:8 (1562)’

Recent Posts

  • “I Decided to Get a Plane Ticket and Fly 8,700 Miles From Singapore to Take Part.”
  • Alabama Assessment!
  • “How Has Nobody Done This Before?” • Vol. 1
  • “Exceeded Every Expectation!” • Mr. O’Brien’s Review
  • “81 Photos” • Sacred Music Symposium 2022

Copyright © 2022 Corpus Christi Watershed · Gabriel Lalemant on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Corpus Christi Watershed is a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to exploring and embodying as our calling the relationship of religion, culture, and the arts. This non-profit organization employs the creative media in service of theology, the Church, and Christian culture for the enrichment and enjoyment of the public.