The Church of Our Savior

Fr. David Friel · July 27, 2015

S MANY READERS are already aware, there is some degree of controversy over the removal of icons in the magnificent Church of Our Savior on Park Avenue in Manhattan. I have visited this parish numerous times and have always been impressed by the beauty of the space and the reverence it inspires in visitors.

The issue of the vanishing icons has been well documented in recent weeks. Instead of adding another account, I will simply direct those interested in learning more to read the following articles:

Vandalism with Intent (First Things)

Naked in New York: The Unceremonious Stripping of Our Savior (OnePeterFive)

Iconoclasm in New York City (NLM)

Our work at Corpus Christi Watershed is intended to be in service of Beauty and the Church. We hope, therefore, that the uncommon beauty of this splendid church will be preserved.

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

About Fr. David Friel

Ordained in 2011, Father Friel served as Parochial Vicar at St. Anselm Parish in Northeast Philly. He is currently a doctoral candidate in liturgical theology at The Catholic University of America.—(Read full biography).

14 June 2021 • “From Rehearsal…”

One of our choristers recorded this audio excerpt from a recent rehearsal we had. I know there are certain people on the internet who claim that “proper voice leading & harmonies died with Bach in 1750AD…anything goes these days.” But I could not disagree more with such an assertion. The proper rules of harmony and counterpoint make incredible music—and I would suggest that tiny excerpt (from our volunteer choir rehearsal) shows this reality.

—Jeff Ostrowski

3 June 2021 • Re: “Mass of the Angels”

In the past, we have provided thirteen organ accompaniments to Mass VIII (a.k.a. “Missa de Angelis”). Some versions of the KYRIALE use the melody from Sanctus VIII for Agnus VIII also. Dr. Peter Wagner’s 1903 edition of the KYRIALE does this, as we mentioned earlier this month. Please sing through Sanctus VIII and then sing O Quam Suavis Est from the feast of Corpus Christi. Do you hear it?

—Jeff Ostrowski

1 June 2021 • Unsure of Author

The editors of this 1667AD Missale Romanum weren’t sure who wrote the VEXILLA REGIS hymn, so they wrote this in the margin. (To be fair, the original text by Bishop Fortunatus was greatly altered under Pope Urban VIII.)

—Jeff Ostrowski

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About Fr. David Friel