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“A much greater source of anxiety to Us is the style of action of those who maintain that liturgical worship should shed its sacred character, who foolishly say we should substitute for sacred items & furnishings ordinary common things in daily use.” —Pope Saint Paul VI (14 Oct 1968)

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Views from the Choir Loft

“When You See Rome, You Will Lose Your Faith.”

Aurelio Porfiri · July 29, 2015

461 Colosseum ECENT MONTHS SAW news dealing with liturgical issues. The most relevant was probably Cardinal Sarah’s article in the Osservatore Romano. In this article, the Cardinal addressed liturgical issues, showing his awareness about abuses and his willingness to fight them, as well as his attention for the dignity and sanctity of the liturgy. I think Pope Francis, having chosen him to lead the Congregation for Divine Worship, is certainly on the same page with the Cardinal. But I also think that the Pope has not an easy life in his own city, Rome. Indeed, only the blind can avoid facing this reality: the biggest crisis in liturgy (and liturgical music) is really in Rome.

Many years ago, a German priest told me a common phrase I had not known: Roma veduta, fede perduta (“When you see Rome, you will lose your faith”). I know this kind of idea can be attached to anti-Roman feelings coming from German people, but this priest was very conservative and a great supporter of the Latin Mass. I think this kind of idea has more to do with bad reputation of Roman curia and so on.

Indeed, there are also saints living and working in Rome, saints that we don’t know well because their work is often in the shadow. But is true that the phrase Roma veduta, fede perduta is not far from reality when we take into account the level of once glorious musical institutions. Also here, not all is terrible—there are still brilliant people trying to do their best, but it’s true that the standards in recent years have fallen dramatically. I think Pope Francis must look to his own city (and my own city) to hope for a general reform in the life and discipline of the Church. He has to fight the terrible disease of clericalism that has such an impact on liturgy and music in Rome. But I know that this disease is so big and serious that it’s difficult to see the day when our Church will be freed from this curse.

Will I ever see that day?

More articles by Aurelio Porfiri can be found on ilnaufrago.com.

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

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: October 10, 2021

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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).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    “What Martin Luther Said…”
    My pastor asked me to write little columns for the bulletin each week. The article for 20 July 2025 has been posted, and it’s called: “What Luther Said…” Martin Luther (an ex-priest and apostate) was an infamous heretic whose ignorance of JESUS CHRIST was only exceeded by his filthy and disgusting vulgarity.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Music List” • 15th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I prepared for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (13 July 2025). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and propers for this Sunday are also provided at the the feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    This coming Sunday—13 July 2025—is the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). All the chants have been conveniently assembled and posted at the feasts website. The OFFERTORY, Ad Te Levávi, is particularly beautiful.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Pope Pius XII Hymnal?
    Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Hybrid” Chant Notation?
    Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Antiphons Don’t Match?
    A reader wants to know why the Entrance and Communion antiphons in certain publications deviate from what’s prescribed by the GRADUALE ROMANUM published after Vatican II. Click here to read our answer. The short answer is: the Adalbert Propers were never intended to be sung. They were intended for private Masses only (or Masses without music). The “Graduale Parvum,” published by the John Henry Newman Institute of Liturgical Music in 2023, mostly uses the Adalbert Propers—but sometimes uses the GRADUALE text: e.g. Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (29 June).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“Johann Baptist Singenberger (d. 1924) held in trust a letter from Pius X giving him permission to use men and women in his festival choirs. He neither published it nor used it, lest he embarrass the Holy Father.”

— Monsignor Francis P. Schmitt (August 1957)

Recent Posts

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  • “How to Conduct 90 Vespers Services Each Year and Live to Tell the Tale.”
  • 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)

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