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Views from the Choir Loft

How a Priest Saved Thousands in WW2

Veronica Brandt · November 14, 2015

HE SCARLET AND THE BLACK stars Gregory Peck and Christopher Plummer. You’ll probably recognise Plummer from his role as the Captain in The Sound of Music. This time, instead of tearing up swastikas, he is proudly wearing them. The situation is grim and this is why this particular DVD stayed up on the shelf for so long in my house, until yesterday.

But now I am very glad to have watched it and to have been so caught up in the story as to be shouting at the screen towards the end – a really phenomenal ending.

It does contain Gregorian chant (some rather mournful alleluias – maybe underlying the paradox of the glories of martyrdom?), but much of the soundtrack really reveals the movie’s proximity to the 1970s. If you can bear with that, then you will enjoy the acting and the fact that truth is sometimes stranger than fiction.

Pope Pius XII is portrayed maybe as well as he could have been at the time. His role in the war still being revealed today. There have been some more recent films about Pius XII. Maybe one of them will feature in our next movie night.

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 Veronica Brandt

Veronica Brandt holds a Bachelor Degree in Electrical Engineering. She lives near Sydney, Australia, with her husband and six children.—(Read full biography).

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Quick Thoughts

PDF Download • Trinity Sunday (22 pages)

Feel free to download this Organ Accompaniment Booklet for Trinity Sunday (Second Vespers). Notice how the modes progress by number. Psalm 1 is mode 1; Psalm 2 is mode 2; Psalm 3 is mode 3; Psalm 4 is mode 4; Psalm 5 is mode 5. I am told by an expert that other feasts (such as Corpus Christi) are likewise organized by mode, and it’s called a “numerical office.”

—Jeff Ostrowski
10 June 2022 • “Official” rhythm of plainsong

I continue to search for the most beautiful way to present the “pure” Editio Vaticana scores. (Technically, the “pure” rhythm of the official edition is what everyone is supposed to use.) You can download my latest attempt, which is the Introit for this coming Sunday: Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. Because this is not an ancient feast, the Introit had to be adapted (perhaps around 750AD). Prior Johner says the adaptation is “not an entirely happy one.”

—Jeff Ostrowski
7 June 2022 • FEEDBACK

From Chelan, Washington: “CCWatershed is a God-sent resource that I can’t function without! Such great work by the team to bring beauty back to our liturgy!” From Gainesville, Florida: “I am so appreciative of the work, of my brothers and sisters in music!” From Troutman, North Carolina: “Keep up the excellent work in service of the Liturgy!”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

It would be contrary to the Constitution to decree or even to hint that sung celebrations, especially of the Mass, should be in Latin.

— Annibale Bugnini attacking “Sacrosanctum Concilium” (§36)

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