Was Fulton J. Sheen Ever Wrong?

Jeff Ostrowski · January 7, 2015 ·

OME OF OUR READERS are aware of the fact that we have made the complete Fulton J. Sheen Sunday Missal available for instant download. Looking at the Introit for this coming Sunday, we see that Sheen’s Missal has “Exsultat” instead of “Exsultet” which we find in the Solesmes books (based on the Graduale).

The following three examples show that both versions are allowed:

(Needless to say, Sheen was not the one who actually did the work of editing his Missal. That was done by Jesuits Caraman & Walsh.)

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.

A quote from Fr. Valentine Young

I had one brother who was out of the church for quite a few years. When my mother was asked, “Did she worry about him?” I remember her answer: “I don’t worry about him; I just pray for him.” She left that in God’s hands. My mother did not live to see her son return to the Church; but he did, and I was able to celebrate his funeral Mass.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Theoricam practicamque”

In a book printed by Solesmes Abbey in 1902, “Kyrie Rex Genitor” is also called Theoricam practicamque. Can anyone explain why?

And how does that translate into English? “Theoricam practicamque vitam regens Deus Pater.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Discussion on Facebook

This old holy card says it all…

For priests, it reads: “In memory of that day on which was given what is not given to angels—that I should offer God to God.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Discussion on Facebook

Had the Church never spoken on this matter, it would still be repugnant to our Catholic people’s sense of what is fit and proper in the holiest of places, that a priest should have to struggle through the prayers of the Holy Mass, because of such tunes as “Alice, where art thou?” the “Vacant Chair,” and others of more vulgar title, which, through the carelessness or bad judgment of organists, sometimes find their way into our choirs.

— Preface to a Roman Catholic Hymnal (1896)