Views from the Choir Loft

Les Misérables and the Year of Mercy

Andrew Leung · April 21, 2016

VERY YEAR, there is a Women’s Appreciation Dinner at my parish in April and I was asked to sing a few solos this year. I have decided to sing a few pieces that are related to the Year of Mercy but would not be heard at Masses. The pieces that came to my mind first are from the Broadway musical, Les Misérables. I haven’t thought of it since the release of the movie in 2012. What a great story for the Jubilee Year of Mercy! It is a perfect story that help us to reflect and understand what mercy means.

Jean Valjean set some great examples of being merciful to others. At the beginning of the story, he received mercy from the bishop and the Church, and he was able to bring the grace to people around him. Like Jean Valjean, we have all received the love and mercy from God, through the Sacraments of Baptism and Confession, and we should be merciful to others. Fr. Robert Barron, who is now an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, made a commentary on the Les Misérables movie back in January 2013:

My suggestion is: to watch or listen to Les Misérables (movie or musical) during this Year of Mercy. I think that would be a very effective and enjoyable way to pray, especially for music lovers.

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

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).

PDF Download • “For Pentecost Sunday”

Yesterday morning, I recorded myself singing the ENTRANCE CHANT for Pentecost Sunday while simultaneously accompanying myself on the pipe organ. Click here to see how that came out. At the end of the antiphon, there’s a triple Allelúja and I just love the chord at the end of the 2nd iteration. The organ accompaniment—along with the musical score for singers—can be downloaded free of charge at the flourishing feasts website. For the record, the antiphon on Pentecost Sunday doesn’t come from a psalm; it comes from the book of Wisdom.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • “Organ Accompaniment”

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—Jeff Ostrowski

“Gregorian Chant Quiz” • 4 May 2026

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—Jeff Ostrowski

“Thee” + “Thou” + “Thine”

Few musicians realize that various English translations of Sacred Scripture were granted formal approval by the USCCB and the Vatican for liturgical use in the United States of America. But don’t take my word for it! Here are four documents proving this, which you can examine with your own eyes. Some believe the words “Thine” and “Thou” and “Thee” were forbidden after Vatican II—but that’s incorrect. For example, they’re found in the English translation of the ‘Our Father’ at Mass. Moreover, the Revised Standard Version (Catholic Edition) mentioned in those four documents employs “Thine” and “Thou” and “Thee.” It was published with a FOREWORD by Westminster’s Roman Catholic Archbishop (John Cardinal Heenan).

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Reminder” — Month of May (2026)

On a daily basis, I speak to people who don’t realize we publish a free newsletter (although they’ve followed our blog for years). We have no endowment, no major donors, no savings, and refuse to run annoying ads. As a result, our mailing list is crucial to our survival. It couldn’t be easier to subscribe! Just scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Simplified Version • “Canon in D” (Pachelbel)

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—Jeff Ostrowski