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Views from the Choir Loft

Surprised By Beauty

Lucas Tappan · June 25, 2015

602 Saint John Cantius AM IN CHICAGO this week for a conference on fundraising from a Christian perspective (more about that at a later date). Yesterday I had hoped to attend Mass and was thankful when I discovered that St. John Cantius had a Wednesday evening Mass. I jumped in the car and on the loop for what I thought would be a short drive, but quickly remembered that Chicago rush hour is nothing like Kansas rush hour. I parked as the bells chimed and made it inside as the choir intoned the Introit. O what a blessed surprise!—High Mass for the Feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, followed by sung Compline and a talk on Joseph Pieper’s Leisure, the Basis of Culture. The talk was technically for the youth group, but I justified my attendance when I remembered the pithy words of my great-grandma, “You are only as old as you think you are.” In all, a fine evening.

It had been over a decade since I had set foot in St. John Cantius—enough time to forget that one never can tell what beautiful surprise might await the unsuspecting visitor there. My only complaint came to me on the drive back to my hotel room. If St. John Cantius can drop rose petals from the ceiling on the Feast of Pentecost, why couldn’t they have had a roaring St. John’s Fire last night for all of us to jump over on our way to Mass? I bet that would help our kids to remember the herald’s feast, teaching us to decrease, so the He may increase.

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 Lucas Tappan

Dr. Lucas Tappan is a conductor and organist whose specialty is working with children. He lives in Kansas with his wife and four children.—(Read full biography).

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Quick Thoughts

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
7 June 2022 • FEEDBACK

From Chelan, Washington: “CCWatershed is a God-sent resource that I can’t function without! Such great work by the team to bring beauty back to our liturgy!” From Gainesville, Florida: “I am so appreciative of the work, of my brothers and sisters in music!” From Troutman, North Carolina: “Keep up the excellent work in service of the Liturgy!”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“Ways to receive Our Lord as King of the Universe…read and reflect on the Sunday Scriptures, plan your whole weekend around receiving your King, wear your best garments, spend time in quiet, kneel to receive Him, receive Him on the tongue, offer silent time of thanks after mass.”

— Most Rev. Bishop Strickland (15 December)

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