Views from the Choir Loft

Assumption Mass 1

Fr. David Friel · August 3, 2015

OR ALL THOSE in striking distance of the Delaware Valley, please make note of the open invitation to the Assumption Mass being offered this Friday evening in Philadelphia. The annual Assumption Mass is offered as an act of gratitude to God for the establishment of Mater Ecclesiae, the first diocesan-owned and staffed TLM parish in the United States (part of the Camden Diocese). This is the second year that the Mass will be celebrated in the Cathedral Basilica of Ss. Peter & Paul in Philadelphia.

The celebrant of the 15th annual Assumption Mass will be the Rev. Robert C. Pasley. In addition to his primary duties as Rector of Mater Ecclesiae Chapel, Fr. Pasley also serves as Chaplain to the Church Music Association of America (CMAA).

Each year, the Assumption Mass features terrific orchestral and choral music. The Ars Laudis Festival Chorus, conducted by Dr. Timothy McDonnell, will provide the sacred music for this year’s celebration.

This Solemn High Mass of the Assumption, celebrated in the Extraordinary Form, will begin at 7 PM at the Cathedral Basilica of Ss. Peter & Paul (18th Street & Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia). All are welcome.

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 Saint Anselm Church in Northeast Philly before earning a doctorate in liturgical theology at The Catholic University of America. He presently serves as Vocation Director for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.—(Read full biography).

“Tonus Solemnior” • How old is it?

In the 1962 Missal, a section called “præfationes in tono solemniore” contains ornate melodies for the Preface. An article posted on the blog of the Church Music Association of America claims the tone comes from “the late 19th century” and said its elimination “is one of the very few good things which the post-Conciliar reform did for Gregorian chant.” The author said: “The Roman solemn preface tone is already beautiful enough, there was no need to give a more Romantic feel.”

Some have asked us whether the tonus solemnior comes from “the late 19th century.” It does not. Their author was wrong by at least 400 years. I have seen this tone in MSS from the 1400s—and it may go back even further. Here is an example from 1494AD. And here’s another from the 1400s. The FSSP priests use these tones on high feasts, and the effect is unforgettable.

—Jeff Ostrowski

6 January 2022 • Quick!

A short version of the INTROIT for the feast of the Epiphany has been added to the Saint René Goupil Gregorian Chant Website.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Confusing Feasts of Christmas

Whether one considers the Missale Vetustum or the post-conciliar calendar—or even the 1908 calendar—the feasts which follow Christmas are very confusing. Last year I created this comparison chart. I hope you find it helpful. As far as I can tell, my chart is the first effort to carefully detail the changes made to post-Christmas feasts (unless we also count the rather basic one by Lauren Pristas).

—Jeff Ostrowski