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

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Views from the Choir Loft

The Chapel Royal Solemn Vespers is Available on BBC

Andrew Leung · April 1, 2016

CTL Chapel Royal Vespers BOUT TWO MONTHS AGO, the first Catholic liturgies in 450 years was held in the Chapel Royal at Hampton Court Palace. The choral Vespers according to the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite was celebrated by Vincent Cardinal Nichols, the Archbishop of Westminster, on February 9. Even though February 9 is not a Marian feast day, the Vespers was dedicated to our Blessed Mother. Over 300 people attended the service.

The music was provided by one of the best choirs in the world, the Sixteen, directed by Harry Christophers. The liturgy was celebrated mainly in Latin (You would think that an ecumenical service with the Anglican Church must be in English, but no! It was in Latin except for the homily, the intercessions and collects.) and the Psalms were chanted with organ accompaniment. The recording of the service is now available on BBC’s Choral Evensong until the end of April.

I am filled with joy to see the Roman Catholic Church and Church of England being united together through music and prayer. There is one interesting thing I noticed about the music selection: Taverner, Cornysh and Tallis are all early English composers who were living during Henry VIII’s reign. The music was truly beautiful, angelic and uplifting! Here is what the cardinal and a few other participants of the choral Vespers have to say about the service and the music:



Let us continue to pray, especially through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of the Church, for the unity of Christ’s body.

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

Alabama Assessment!

We received this evaluation of Symposium 2022 from an Alabama participant:

“Oh, how the Symposium echoed the words of Cardinal Merry Del Val: …choosing only what is most conformed to Thy glory, which is my final aim. In one short and fast paced week, the faculty and attendees showed me the hand of God and our Lady working in our lives. The wide range of education—from Gregorian Chant, jazz modes in organ improvisation, to ‘staying sane’ while leading a choir—were certainly first-class knowledge from the best teachers of the art. However, the most powerful lesson was learning how to pray as a choir. The sacrifice of putting songs together, taking time to learn the sacred text, meditating on the church teaching through the chants, and gaining the virtues required to persevere in these duties were not only qualities of a choir but of a saint. The sanctification of the lives of the attendees was a beautiful outcome of this event … and that in itself is worth more than a beautifully-sung Solesmes style chant!”

—Jeff Ostrowski
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

Random Quote

By far, the event that caused the biggest increase in requests for indults from the morning Mass requirement was the Second World War. The unusual requirements of providing Mass during wartime led to some unique legislation accommodating the time of Mass. Already in 1940, Pope Pius XII issued a motu proprio addressing the situation of holding Mass in countries where a “Black-out” had been ordered.

— Father Shawn P. Tunink

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