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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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    Schola Director Posts ‘Live’ Recording
    As I explained in my article posted earlier today, Nun Komm Der Heiden Heiland is actually a Catholic tune (in spite of what some have claimed). The volunteer choir I direct sang that beautiful ADVENT melody last Sunday, and I invite you to listen to the live recording. It will get better the more we sing it.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Message from the Vice-President!
    The Vice-President of the Church Music Association of America, Dr. Horst Buchholz (who also serves as Director of Sacred Music for the Archdiocese of Detroit) sent us an email yesterday regarding the harmonizations (PDF) I composed for the Gregorian Chant psalm tones. Dr. Buchholz says: “Those settings are absolutely exquisite, as I'm used to when it comes from you. Bravo! Well done! Now, as a sequel, if you could write something for accompanying psalms in English that would be awesome.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Requesting Our Advent Eucharistic Hymn
    A young lady named Agnes wrote to us: “Dear Mr. Ostrowski, do you have the PDF score for Ave Corpus Domini set to the ADVENT melody? Last year, we sang the hymn tune “Nun Komm der Heiden Heiland” quite a bit using your contrafactum technique. My choir appreciates the Latin hymns and practice videos, especially in the ADVENT and CHRISTMAS seasons. Your recent article on Gregorian Psalm Tones is a great help to my organist brother, and reminds us of attending VESPERS years ago when we lived in California. Thank you so much for all the effort put into providing these wonderful resources!”   Agnes, if you are listening! Yes, the PDF file you desire can be downloaded for free at the Brébeuf Portal via this URL link. Thanks for writing to us!
    —Jeff Ostrowski

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“A striking detail: at Solesmes, we remember hearing Justine Ward criticize accompaniment sometimes or seeing her cover her ears, especially when the organ accompanied a soloist, which is something she could not accept.”

— Dom Pierre Combe

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