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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

Entering the Mainstream Conversation

Richard J. Clark · August 14, 2015

HOSE OF US who are deeply passionate about Gregorian Chant, Renaissance polyphony, and the propers are often left to share such conversations among ourselves. Perhaps our interest is considered “on the fringe.” Likewise, those of us with such passions are also quick to dismiss “mainstream” liturgical practices of which we may not approve. What is important is to have the conversation. Only speaking to those with whom we agree is a form of “Intellectual incest” which only reaffirms our own established notions. From this practice we do not learn. We do not grow.

Most important is to examine what practices truly bear fruit. What needs reform? What needs to be done away with? What needs to be fostered, nurtured, or held in higher esteem? With fifty years of distance from Vatican II, what do we better understand now?

HE 2010 ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF THE ROMAN MISSAL, Third Edition, and its chants shook up the mainstream conversation enormously. It is one that may very well continue for years. Lest we forget, it was Pope Saint John Paul II who promulgated the Third Edition in 2000 and established the new norms for translation with Liturgiam authenticam (LA). Now, and for years to come, we are shaped and formed by Pope Saint John Paul’s decision. This is always worthy of conversation.

Furthermore, Pope Benedict XVI shook up the conversation in many ways, especially with his 2007 Apostolic Letter Summorum Pontificum, but these elements are still often considered on the fringe. Cardinal Sarah’s recent letter is not likely to make many waves in the mainstream. Sarah, who was appointed Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments by Pope Francis, may likely see many of his points dismissed. But they should not be as they address the very heart and substance of full and active participation–Participatio actuosa–and entering into the mystery. Beyond the externals of facing East (as presumed by the GIRM!) the common ground Sarah expresses with regard to the liturgy’s very essence is enormous.

This is quite worthy of a wider conversation:

The liturgy in action is thus none other than the work of Christ in action. The liturgy is in its essence actio Christi: “the work of Christ the Lord in redeeming mankind and giving perfect glory to God” (§5 SC). He is the high priest, the true subject, the true protagonist of the liturgy (cf. §7 Ibid). If this vital principle is not embraced in faith, one risks reducing the liturgy to a human action, to the community’s celebration of itself.

OST PEOPLE WE SERVE are not concerned about the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, Rubrics, or the rules of Liturgiam authenticam. But the faithful do care deeply about matters of the heart. They care deeply about the scriptures. They care deeply about relationship with God and with each other. They care deeply about the heart entering into the Mystery, consciously or otherwise. If what we offer is cheap or trite, will it take root in the long run? Our young people are smarter than that. Ultimately, the root of substance digs deep and bears great fruit.

Can we have a conversation about that?

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 Richard J. Clark

Richard J. Clark is the Director of Music of the Archdiocese of Boston and the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.—(Read full biography).

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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

“The chapter decides that henceforth neither singers nor instrumentalists may be loaned to any outside individual or organization, any more than can the chalices or copes owned by the cathedral. This prohibition applies to all those days of the church calendar for which polyphony is designated.” [From “The Life of Father Francisco Guerrero.”]

— Sevilla: Chapter Resolution (13 June 1561)

Recent Posts

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  • “Music List” • 15th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
  • Worship the Lord in Holy Attire
  • “How to Conduct 90 Vespers Services Each Year and Live to Tell the Tale.”

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