• 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)

  • Our Team
  • Pew Resources
    • Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal
    • Jogues Illuminated Missal
    • Campion Missal, 3rd Edition
  • MUSICAL WEBSITES
    • René Goupil Gregorian Chant
    • Noël Chabanel Psalms
    • Nova Organi Harmonia (2,279 pages)
    • Lalemant Polyphonic
    • Saint Antoine Daniel KYRIALE
    • Roman Missal, 3rd Edition
    • Emporium Kevin Allen
  • Miscellaneous
    • Site Map
    • Saint Jean de Lalande Library
    • Sacred Music Symposium 2023
  • Donate
Views from the Choir Loft

The Verge Of The Abyss

Aurelio Porfiri · January 12, 2015

457 Aurelio Porfiri THINK WE SHOULD REALLY be honest with one another: church music is on the verge of the abyss. And so it is with liturgy. I am not saying this to appear pessimistic, traditionalist, conservative, or whatever word you want to use with negative meaning (even if these words are not negative at all, in the right context)—I just think it to be realistic.

Church music is mostly coming to an end, if we consider church music to be the kind that is conceived using the best of musical abilities, of composers trained in the tradition of the Catholic Church’s liturgical music. Music that, of course, can be (and has to be) innovative but always developing organically from the musical forms of the tradition. Hey, this is not a traditionalist statement! It’s right out of Sacrosanctum Concilium (23): “and care must be taken that any new forms adopted should in some way grow organically from forms already existing.”

Today everyone can rule over those who are unfortunate, yet still strive to take church music seriously: every catechist, every priest, every nun can teach you what they don’t know. All of these people usually have something in common that is very important: they are completely ignorant about liturgical music, but feel encouraged (from a mysterious spirit) to use their ignorance for the greater glory of God and the edification of the faithful. And of course they use the art of demagogy and political correctness in a way that puts some timid church musicians in an uncomfortable position.

FELLOW CHURCH MUSICIANS, let me tell you wholeheartedly: rejoice and be glad! We are on the verge of the abyss, because we prefer to stand for what we trust than to bow to the messengers of ugliness—to poor people thinking they are making some good when they are actually building the greatest evil: the triumph of mediocrity. There are still a few catechists, priests, and nuns who attempt to resist this triumphal march toward nothing, and they also will share our fate of solitude and isolation. Of course, there are also church musicians who are close minded, arrogant, and self-isolating, in the same way that there are medical doctors who are close minded, arrogant, and self-isolating. But if you need an opinion about your health you would still ask them rather than those who are not trained in medicine. We church musicians are not in the same situation: everyone can decide what music can be sung in the liturgy, following their distorted ideas and tastes and being sure that they can invoke the Council providing that they only know a few lines of the documents…and that is in the best cases.

Fellow church musicians, rejoice and be glad! We are trailed toward the abyss because we want to remain Catholics but at least we know where we are going. Thanks to this, we will be able to taste every good moment that God allows us in the midst of the battle, having a grateful heart and invoking a peaceful spirit.

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

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

Subscribe

It greatly helps us if you subscribe to our mailing list!

* indicates required

About Aurelio Porfiri

Renowned as composer, conductor, theorist, author, pedagogue, and organist, Aurelio Porfiri has served the Church on multiple continents at the highest levels. Born and raised in Italy, he currently serves as Director of Choral Activities and Composer in Residence for Santa Rosa de Lima School (Macao, China).

Primary Sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

    Vespers Booklet, 3rd Sunday of Lent
    The organ accompaniment I created for the 3rd Sunday of Lent (“Extraordinary Form”) may now be downloaded, if anyone is interested in this.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Weeping For Joy! (We Hope!)
    Listening to this Easter Alleluia—an SATB arrangement I made twenty years ago based on the work of Monsignor Jules Van Nuffel—one of our readers left this comment: “I get tears in my eyes each time I sing to this hymn.” I hope this person is weeping for joy!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “The Times” mentions CCW
    We were mentioned in article in an article by “The Times” (United Kingdom), as you can see here.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

These prayers were not peculiar to Good Friday in the early ages (they were said on Spy Wednesday as late as the eighth century); their retention here, it is thought, was inspired by the idea that the Church should pray for all classes of men on the day that Christ died for all. Duchesne is of opinion that the “Oremus” now said in every Mass before the Offertory—which is not a prayer—remains to show where this old series of prayers was once said in all Masses.

— Catholic Encyclopedia (1909)

Recent Posts

  • Summer Ward Method Courses • CUA 2023
  • PDF Download • Vespers Organ Accomp. Booklet (4th Sunday of Lent) — 24 pages
  • Mass and Motets
  • Sneaky “Salicus” Statements by Solesmes
  • “Lætáre Jerúsalem” • Introit (3rd Sunday of Lent)

Subscribe

Subscribe

* indicates required

Copyright © 2023 Corpus Christi Watershed · Isaac Jogues 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.