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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

“Liturgy Wars” and Four Universal Principles

Richard J. Clark · November 13, 2015

ITH ENDLESS DEBATE about musical styles, the term “Liturgy Wars” is now a common part of the liturgical lexicon. So common, in fact, that it has lost its shock value to the point that it is in some circles not even controversial. It is an accepted reality.

In some ways, this is a healthy sign because reasonable, intelligent people need to be able to work together even when they don’t agree. Or more commonly, we may have superiors with whom we must work with even if we believe (or know) we are correct, or backed by the Liturgy Documents, etc. Catechesis is a process. A working trust is a process. Often it takes years. More realistically, it takes a lifetime.

The political reality in most every parish is that there are numerous “factions” and preferences. This requires the reality of doing many styles of music even in one liturgy. This has advantages and disadvantages—too many to discuss. But an important political reality is that when advocating for 100% purity of style or approach, one will usually leave the table with nothing. This helps no one. And the people may be cheated of ever being exposed to music that is their birthright—the Treasury of Sacred Music of the Church.

CASE CAN BE MADE for a hybrid music program in which one may chose from the “best of the best.” In some circumstances, this is the only way to introduce chant or polyphony or traditional hymnody. In many parishes, regular use or even introduction of such music is progress. It also will be something to build upon.

An important approach when utilizing multiple styles in one liturgy is to filter the music through the most important musical and liturgical principles. Regardless of styles of music we must consider the following:

1) The Three Judgments — When selecting music, 2007 US Bishop’s document Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship requires that we consider three elements when choosing music: 1) Liturgical 2) Pastoral 3) Musical. I wrote a good deal more about this here. Does the music fulfill these requirements? This is an essential guideline that will help filter out lesser music, and direct our hearts and minds toward God.

2) In the liturgy, the Word is preeminent. From a liturgical perspective, it is vital to note the text of the music. All too often, the particulars of text are not considered carefully enough or at all. What is the theological content? Is the text from scripture? Is the text a setting of any of the antiphons? Different styles can go a longer way when the text correlates to the words of the Mass in this manner.

3) When rehearsing music of different styles, pay a high level of attention to universal musical principles: phrasing, diction, choral blending, etc. Apply all of these regardless of the style. It will also earn the respect of the choir, the people, and the pastor.

4) Music of all styles for the liturgy must be filtered through the prism of reverence. Reverence does not preclude energy or joy or any other emotion for that matter. In fact reverence embraces all emotions. But, the sacred liturgy requires it. If a piece cannot be reverent in some fashion, then it is probably not appropriate for the liturgy.

It is our job to make sacred music work. Some music requires more input and effort from us to make that happen. It’s our pastoral responsibility to do so in order to serve God and to serve His people.

ADVENT IS NEAR!

Hard copies and downloadable digital scores of the Communion Antiphons for Advent, published with World Library Publications.

You can listen to recordings directed by Paul French here.

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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President’s Corner

    “Music List” • 30th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 26 October 2025, which is the 30th 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 top-notch feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Little Encouragement?
    In the Gospel, our Savior tells about 10 lepers who were healed. Only one went back to give thanks. Precious few express gratitude, yet many have endless energy to complain. For that reason, I deeply appreciate receiving messages like the following, which arrived a few days ago (about the parish where I direct in Michigan): “Last Sunday, a couple I knew from Grand Rapids was at Mass at 10:00 a.m. I got a chance to talk to them after Mass. I wanted to let you know what they said about the choir. They were absolutely floored by our sound!!!!! They both said they could continuously listen to our choir and the beauty of it. They asked me: “Do you always sound like that?” And they were also very surprised at how packed the church was. They said it was nice for them to be in such a full church. I just thought you would be interested to know their thoughts about our choir.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    (Part 2) • Did they simplify this hymn?
    Choirs love to sing the resplendent tune called “INNSBRUCK.” Looking through a (Roman Catholic) German hymnal printed in 1929, I discovered what appears to be a simplified version of that hymn. Their harmonization is much less complex than the version found in the Father Brébeuf Hymnal (which is suitable for singing by SATB choir). Please download their 1929 harmonization (PDF) and let me know your thoughts. As always, the Germans added an organ INTRODUCTION. For the record, I posted a different harmonization a few months ago which was downloaded more than 2,000 times.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “Our Father” • Musical Setting?
    Looking through a Roman Catholic Hymnal published in 1859 by Father Guido Maria Dreves (d. 1909), I stumbled upon this very beautiful tune (PDF file). I feel it would be absolutely perfect to set the “Our Father” in German to music. Thoughts?
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    New Bulletin Article • “12 October 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 (dated 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
    The American Catholic Hymnal, with IMPRIMATUR granted (25 April 1991) by the Archdiocese of Chicago, is like a compendium of every horrible idea from the 1980s. Imagine being forced to stand all through Communion (even afterwards) when those self-same ‘enlightened’ liturgists moved the SEQUENCE before the Alleluia to make sure congregations wouldn’t have to stand during it. (Even worse, everything about the SEQUENCE—including its name—means it should follow the Alleluia.) And imagine endlessly repeating “Alleluia” during Holy Communion at every single Mass. It was all part of an effort to convince people that Holy Communion was historically a procession (which it wasn’t).
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

In 1951 (and again in 1952 and 1955) the Sacred Congregation of Rites gave permission to the bishops of the whole world to celebrate the “Vigil of the Lord’s Resurrection” as much as possible in conformity with the ancient ceremonial: the most noticeable change was to transfer the ceremonies to the late evening of Holy Saturday. During the experimental period the text of the Missal remains unchanged, and a special “Ordo Sancti Sabbati” has been published.

— Charles Richard Anthony Cunliffe (1955)

Recent Posts

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  • Little Encouragement?
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