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Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

Cake or Frosting?

Andrew Leung · August 27, 2015

CTL Cake AST WEEK, I posted about the danger of confusing Praise and Worship and the actual Worship, the Liturgy. My post and the article on the LifeTeen blog led to some intense discussions. The discussions were mainly on the meaning of the term “Worship”. The term itself might have different meanings based on different religions and dictionaries. But in the Roman Catholic tradition, it has always meant the Liturgy, that is the Mass, Liturgy of the Hours, Sacraments, Exposition and Benediction. Because of that, the term “Worship” should not be watered down to just any prayer meeting, like praise with guitars and drums.

During our discussion, this following line came up:

I find praise and worship odd when the Blessed Sacrament is not present.

I do not wish to discuss whether praise music should be sung during Exposition and other liturgies because that is not the point of this post. I would like to focus on the sentence above objectively. I have heard similar lines from people many times when I was in Steubenville. I totally understand what my friend was trying to say and some of you might think what I am about to do is just me being too picky. But bear with me.

After I read the line, I felt there is something wrong with it and it is disturbing. I tried to look at the sentence objectively and analyze the structure of the sentence: “praise and worship” is the subject and “Blessed Sacrament” is the object of the line. If the Eucharist is the source and summit, shouldn’t this sentence be reverse? Saying that the Eucharist makes praise and worship better is basically saying that praise and worship is the cake and the Eucharist is the frosting. But the truth is, the Eucharist is the cake, the source and summit, and praise and worship is the frosting, devotion that leads us to Christ.

Now, let’s apply the same idea to Sacred Music and the Liturgy. Sacred Music is the handmaid of the Liturgy. The Liturgy is the cake and Sacred Music is the frosting; Liturgical Music elevates the minds of the Faithful to God and add solemnity to the Liturgy.

OR MANY church musicians, now is the beginning of a new music season. We need to be careful not to reverse the cake and the frosting. We need to remember to “sing the Mass”, but not just “sing at Mass”. We must pray as we sing. It is not a performance, however, nice-looking frosting attracts people and “elevate people’s minds”; quality and certain level of perfection is still required. Similarly, quality and authentic Sacred Music (or as the Church said: Holy, Beautiful and Universal music) will lead people to our Lord.

Now would be a good time to learn or review how to Sing Prayerfully.

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 Andrew Leung

Andrew Leung currently serves the music director of Vox Antiqua, conductor of the Cecilian Singers, and music director at Our Lady of China Church.—(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    New Bulletin Article • “7 September 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article is called: “Professor Bouyer’s Regret.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Cardinal Ranjith on “Active Participation”
    From 2005–2009, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith served as Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. He was considered ‘papabile’ during the last conclave. On 8 December 2008, he wrote this powerful statement concerning Gregorian Chant, participatio actuosa, celebration “ad orientem,” and other subjects. When it comes to the question of what “sacred” means, Monsignor Robert A. Skeris provides a marvelous answer.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Music List” • 22nd in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 31 August 2025, which is the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the spectacular feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Solemn “Salve Regina” (Chant)
    How many “S” words can you think of using alliteration? How about Schwann Solemn Salve Score? You can download the SOLEMN SALVE REGINA in Gregorian Chant. The notation follows the official rhythm (EDITIO VATICANA). Canon Jules Van Nuffel, choirmaster of the Cathedral of Saint Rumbold, composed this accompaniment for it (although some feel it isn’t his best work).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    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

Random Quote

[Speaking about the Silent Canon, with audible “per ómnia”] — “So in all such cases it is usual for the otherwise silent celebrant occasionally to sing a clause aloud, to show how far he has arrived.”

— Father Fortescue (pages 313-314) • “A Study of the Roman Liturgy”

Recent Posts

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  • Cardinal Ranjith on “Active Participation”
  • Exec. Director of ICEL weighs in on our series • “PDF comparison chart” included

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