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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

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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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Quick Thoughts

    “Glory To God” • (For Choir + Congregation)
    I wish to thank everyone for the nice comments I received vis-à-vis my Glory To God setting for Choir & Congregation. A gentleman with a musical doctorate from Indiana University wrote: “Love this setting so much. And I will pray, as you asked, for your return to composition more fully. You are very very good.” A female choir director wrote: “I love your harmonizations, your musicality, and the wonderful interplay you have with dissonance and consonance in your music. So fun to listen to, and great for intellect, heart, and soul!” A young woman from California wrote: “Thank you for releasing your new Glory To God in honor of Saint Noel Chabanel. I'm enjoying reading through the various parts and listening to your recordings.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    William Byrd • “Mass for Five Voices”
    Our volunteer choir is learning the “Sanctus” from William Byrd’s Mass for Five Voices. You can hear a short excerpt (recorded last Sunday) but please ignore the sound of babies crying: Mp3 recording. We still have work to do—but we’re on the right track. Once we have some of the tuning issues fixed, I desire to use it as an example proving volunteers can sing complicated polyphony.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Baptism” • A Unique Hymn
    Father Christopher Phillips is the founding Pastor of Our Lady of the Atonement Catholic Church. One of his hymns is unique and (in my humble opinion) quite beautiful. His hymn is basically a prayer to the Holy Trinity but also speaks of Baptism and the Holy Eucharist. It would be an ideal Communion hymn on Trinity Sunday or the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. You can hear live recording from last Sunday by clicking here.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

It is clear the Church is facing a grave crisis. Under the name of “the new Church” and “the post-conciliar Church,” a different Church from that of Jesus Christ is now trying to establish itself: an anthropocentric society threatened with imminent apostasy which is allowing itself to be swept along in a movement of general abdication under the pretext of renewal, ecumenicism, or adaptation.

— Cardinal Henri de Lubac (29 August 1967)

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