• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

“What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too…” Pope Benedict XVI (7 July 2007)

  • Our Team
  • Pew Resources
    • Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal
    • Jogues Illuminated Missal
    • Campion Missal, 3rd Edition
  • MUSICAL WEBSITES
    • René Goupil Gregorian Chant
    • Noël Chabanel Psalms
    • Nova Organi Harmonia (2,279 pages)
    • Lalemant Polyphonic
    • Saint Antoine Daniel KYRIALE
    • Roman Missal, 3rd Edition
    • Emporium Kevin Allen
  • Miscellaneous
    • Site Map
    • Saint Jean de Lalande Library
    • Sacred Music Symposium 2023
  • Donate
Views from the Choir Loft

Papal Liturgies – Day 2 of the Papal Visit

Andrew Leung · September 23, 2015

Today is the second day, first full day, of Pope Francis’s apostolic visit to the country. He spent his day in Washington DC today. Here is a video of the Mid-Day Prayer with the bishops at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle.

Reception of the Holy Father: 27:00
Mid-Day Prayer: 37:15

Personally, I thought the music selection was pretty good. The music reflects noble simplicity. Even though the psalm tones weren’t Gregorian, but they are definitely worthy for the liturgy. I am also surprise by the amount of Sacred Silence they had between psalms and reading. Those moments are very peaceful and contemplative. And of course, it’s always nice to have the brass along with the organ for the Holy Father, and Tu es Petrus is the perfect and appropriate piece for papal liturgies.

On the other hand, the Mass and Canonization of Fr. Junipero Serra shows all the main problems of the Sacred Music in the country.

Reception of the Holy Father: 15:00
Canonization: 33:30
Holy Mass: 1:04:00

There are some nice pieces in this video like the glorious Christus Vincit at the beginning of the reception of the Pope, Veni Creator Spiritus at the beginning of the canonization and the Gloria at the beginning of the Mass. However, I hate to say this, most of the music at this Mass is just bad and unworthy. The music shows the main problems of American Sacred Music nowadays. Here are five points to summarize these problems:

1. The Lack of Resources for Spanish Church Music

2. Bilingual (or more languages) Masses

3. Cantors performing solos and “leading” the congregational singing

4. The Bad Taste in music and arts in general

5. Having church music that is not holy, not set apart from the secular music

The two parts that upset me the most is the second reading and the offertory. I am not upset because the lector didn’t read well. But I really don’t understand people’s mind. Why did they choose someone who has difficulties in reading to read? It is good to show our love and care to the “least of us”, meaning those who are sick and suffering. Exposing someone weakness is not how do that though. And if you pay attention to the end of the offertory, you will realize that the music actually interrupted the Mass. There might be some miscommunications, but the Pope just kept on going in the “Orate fratres“ after he washed his fingers. That is something that should not happen at a parish Mass, and definitely unacceptable at a Papal Mass! My fellow church musicians, we have a lot of work to do!

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

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

Subscribe

It greatly helps us if you subscribe to our mailing list!

* indicates required

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).

Primary Sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

    Tempo?? • 𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘺 𝘎𝘰𝘥, 𝘞𝘦 𝘗𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘛𝘩𝘺 𝘕𝘢𝘮𝘦
    Once, after Mass, my pastor said he really loved the hymn we did. I said: “Father, that's Holy God, We Praise Thy Name—you never heard it before?” He replied: “But the way you did it was terrific. For once, it didn't sound like a funeral dirge!” Last Sunday, our volunteer choir sang that hymn. I think the tempo was just about right … but what do you think?
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Don’t You Agree About These?
    If you want to make Jeff Ostrowski really happy, send him an email with effusive praise about the individual voice recordings for hymn #296. [Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass] They came out dazzlingly sensational, don't you agree?
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Choral Vowels? Yes? No?
    Here's a live recording of one of the choral “warm-up” exercises my choir enjoys. It was taken during our rehearsal on 27 January 2023. It’s good to make sure each chord is perfectly in tune and balanced before moving to the next one. That only happens when each singer has the correct vowel. If you like, you can freely download that vocal exercise.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“Today the Church has made a big mistake, turning the clock back 500 years with guitars and popular songs. I don’t like it at all. Gregorian Chant is a vital and important tradition of the Church and to waste this—by having guys mix religious words with profane, Western songs—is hugely grave, hugely grave.”

— Maestro Ennio Morricone (10 Sept 2009)

Recent Posts

  • Tempo?? • 𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘺 𝘎𝘰𝘥, 𝘞𝘦 𝘗𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘛𝘩𝘺 𝘕𝘢𝘮𝘦
  • PDF Download • Belgian Book of Gregorian Accompaniments (Official Edition)
  • Don’t You Agree About These?
  • Choral Vowels? Yes? No?
  • Crucial Tip For Choir Directors

Subscribe

Subscribe

* indicates required

Copyright © 2023 Corpus Christi Watershed · Isaac Jogues on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Corpus Christi Watershed is a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to exploring and embodying as our calling the relationship of religion, culture, and the arts. This non-profit organization employs the creative media in service of theology, the Church, and Christian culture for the enrichment and enjoyment of the public.