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Corpus Christi Watershed

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

A Guardian of the Sacred Tradition in the South — Part 2

Andrew Leung · June 16, 2016

CTL A Guardian of the Tradition in the South 2 WO WEEKS AGO, I went on a trip to the South. It was a very relaxing and musical trip. And how appropriate is it to celebrate the Feast of the Body of Christ, Bread of Life, during the Memorial Day weekend when we remember those who lost their lives in battle. The Body of Christ is the eternal bread from heaven, the source and summit of our faith.

I spent my Sunday in Chattanooga, TN, and I went to a Novus Ordo Mass at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul for the first time. We celebrated the Solemnity of Corpus Christi (technically not an external solemnity since it was in the new form). I sang with the choir at the Sung Mass and the Eucharistic Procession. It was a very powerful experience and here is why:

—It was a real Sung Mass (Propers and Ordinaries, including the Creed, chanted in English or Latin);

—Everyone sang their parts in the dialogue (the deacon even intoned the Kyrie, which is the proper way to do it in the OF);

—The basilica was filled with large families (at least half of the faithful were children and youth);

—The Anglo and Hispanic communities joint together for the Eucharistic Procession;

—There was a strong presence of the clergy (5 priests and 2 deacons were in the procession, which is very good for a medium sized parish).

I was impressed by these people of the parish, both clergies and laity. They are very passionate in their faith and are willing to be witnesses by marching through downtown Chattanooga in the warm weather.

The part that impressed me the most the presence of the clergy. I see the clergy of the parish interact with people a lot when I visit this parish every time. They all wore their cassocks which help parishioners to recognize them, even from a far distance. I never understand why some people are always against the idea of priests wearing cassocks! Wearing cassocks is not a form of clericalism! The cassock shows the identity of a priest, who is ordained by the bishop to minister to the Church. They are the “fathers” of the community and the cassocks show their role. One of the things I learned during my pastoral year is that the presence of the clergy and staff members at parish events is very important! The cassocks are tools that help bring people to the priests.

CTL Poster SSMW 2016 USICIANS in the Southeastern region will have the opportunity to attend a one-and-a-half day Summer Sacred Music Workshop at this wonderful parish. The workshop will be held at the basilica on July 22 and 23. Now is the time to REGISTER for the workshop and spread the news to your pastors, parish musicians and any friends you may have in the area. Participants don’t have to be Catholics and there is no limit on their age (last year, we had a few middle schoolers joining our workshop and they enjoyed it a lot). So, download the picture of the flyer on the left and SPREAD THE NEWS NOW! The more participants we get, the better the experience will be! We hope to see you there!

For those of you who cannot make it to this workshop, I would ask you to keep all the faculty members and participants in your prayers. Please pray that our workshop will have a good and successful turnout, for the final preparation that is going on now, and that God will touch the hearts of everyone participating through the beautiful music. Thank you.

A preliminary schedule with the session descriptions is available for viewing now.

    * *  PDF • PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE AND SESSION DESCRIPTIONS

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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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Why A “Fugue” Here?
    I believe I know why this plainsong harmonizer created a tiny fugue as the INTRODUCTION to his accompaniment. Take a look (PDF) and tell me your thoughts about what he did on the feast of the Flight of Our Lord Jesus Christ into Egypt (17 February). And now I must go because “tempus fugit” as they say!
    —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
    “Reminder” — Month of October (2025)
    Those who don’t sign up for our free EMAIL NEWSLETTER miss important notifications. Last week, for example, I sent a message about this job opening for a music director paying $65,000 per year plus benefits (plus weddings & funerals). Notice the job description says: “our vision for sacred music is to move from singing at Mass to truly singing the Mass wherein … especially the propers, ordinaries, and dialogues are given their proper place.” Signing up couldn’t be easier: simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “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
    Did they simplify these hymn harmonies?
    Choirs love to sing the famous & splendid tune called “INNSBRUCK.” Looking through a (Roman Catholic) German hymnal printed in 1952, I discovered what appears to be a simplified version of that hymn. In other words, their harmonization is much less complex than the version found in the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal (which is suitable for singing by SATB choir). Please download their 1952 harmonization (PDF) and let me know your thoughts. I really like the groovy Germanic INTRODUCTION they added.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“Always remember: God opposes the proud.” (leaning into the microphone) “…even when they’re right!”

— ‘Scott Hahn, speaking in Plano, TX’

Recent Posts

  • Why A “Fugue” Here?
  • “Three Reasons To Shun Bad Hymns” • Daniel B. Marshall
  • “Puzzling Comment” • By A Respected FSSP Priest
  • New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
  • “Reminder” — Month of October (2025)

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