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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

Composing Saves My Life

Richard J. Clark · May 20, 2016

OMETIMES I HAVE a lot on my mind. We all do. All the time. Sometimes prayer is hard to come by—even when we are in church all the time. (Present in body, but the spirit is asleep like the apostles at Gethsemane.)

There are struggles that preoccupy our lives. There are crosses to bear—crosses unique to each one of us. Interestingly, those crosses are the very things that God calls us to carry in order to serve him better.

Then I look at the crosses others must carry and I realize mine is but a feather. It gives me more than enough strength to carry on. It had better.

As if that was not enough, at discouraging moments, I am pleasantly surprised by sudden opportunities to compose something new, and see it through to the end. As a father of four and working two church jobs, having ample time to compose is something of a miracle. Miracles do happen, and they routinely save my life. For nothing awakens my soul or me happier than composing.

UT COMPOSING IS A HUGE STRUGGLE for me. It is not a blissful, rapturous process. The image of composers in a trance is total garbage—at least it is for me. When I begin writing, the music is dreadful. Horrible. A colossal waste of your time. Perhaps it is complete hubris that I can come up with something of value. Then by sheer will I chip away at the wretched dumpster fire of incongruence on the page. But there is a sense of purpose—a sense of deep longing. I keep faith that frustration and futility is part of the process. Slowly one or two hopeful elements emerge. Maybe one or two more will follow. And so on.

Here is the purpose that languidly surfaces with each revised note: Composing is a form of prayer. It is a form of service to God, the Church, and if we are fortunate, to humanity. It points to something greater and not to oneself. I hope.

This week, I’ve been fortunate to dig into some projects in the midst of some professional and personal interruptions. It is a joyful reminder that God is at the very center of my life. He is in charge of it all. Not me. For this I am relieved and grateful, because If I’m in charge, my soul would look like the veritable dumpster fire that are my initial drafts of composition. Like the creative process, the purification and refinement of one’s souls is a process too.

I have some work to do. So do you. God calls and sustains you because he loves you.

Soli Deo gloria

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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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Latin Liturgy Association
    We note with pleasure that Mrs. Regina Morris, president of the Latin Liturgy Association, has featured—on page 4 of Volume CXXIX of their official newsletter—the three (3) terrific versions of the Stations of the Cross found in the Brébeuf Hymnal. One of the main authors for the blog of the Church Music Association of America said (6/10/2019) about this pew book: “It is such a fantastic hymnal that it deserves to be in the pews of every Catholic church.”
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Music List” • 28th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 12 October 2025, which is the 28th 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 dazzling feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Offertory” for this Sunday
    This coming Sunday, 12 October 2025, is the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). Its OFFERTORY ANTIPHON (PDF) is gorgeous, and comes from the book of Esther, as did the ENTRANCE CHANT last Sunday. Depending on a variety of factors, various hand-missals (all with Imprimatur) translate this passage differently. For instance, “príncipis” can be rendered: King; Prince; Lion; or Fierce lord. None is “more correct” than another. It depends on which source text is chosen and what each translator wants to emphasize. All these pieces of plainsong are conveniently stored at the blue-ribbon feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    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
    “Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Fifty years ago, Dr. Theodore Marier made available this clever arrangement (PDF) of “Come down, O love divine” by P. R. Dietterich. The melody was composed in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (d. 1958) and named in honor of of his birthplace: DOWN AMPNEY. The arrangement isn’t a strict canon, but it does remind one of a canon since the pipe organ employs “points of imitation.” The melody and text are #709 in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

When a friend speaks of his accomplishments and triumphs, he stands at a distance from our heart. When he shares his weaknesses and failings, he’s very near.

— Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

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