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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

Colloquium 2016 • Day 4

Fr. David Friel · June 24, 2016

T WAS a privilege for me to be the main celebrant of the Colloquium Mass on Wednesday morning, and I would like to reflect a bit on the experience.

The Mass was celebrated in the Ordinary Form with a mixture of Latin and English elements. The liturgical celebration was the Memorial of Saints John Fisher & Thomas More, Martyrs. The church was the Shrine of St. Joseph in the Columbus Square neighborhood of St. Louis. Originally founded in 1843 by the Jesuits, the church is impressive in its design. Particularly notable is the woodwork in the sanctuary and sacristies.

Because of what transpires sacramentally, every Mass is beautiful. Not every Mass, however, is adorned with the same degree of beautiful elements. It was a joy for me, as a priest, to offer this particular Mass, adorned as it was by such beauty in the music, vestments, and architecture of the place.

It is my custom, at Sunday Masses in my parish, to chant the orations and most of the dialogues, so doing so on Wednesday was natural. Rarely, however, are the responses of the people so strong as they were from the Colloquium participants. Celebrating Mass in the presence of so many music directors and choristers is a rare joy. The chanting of the readings is one special addition that elevates the Colloquium liturgies each year beyond what most parish liturgies offer.

One of the things I enjoyed most about celebrating this Mass was the beautiful singing of the Kyrie, the Gloria, and the gradual. Both the Kyrie and the Gloria were plainsong (Mass IV, I believe), and the liveliness and sweetness of the singing was truly uplifting. The gradual, so expertly sung, gracefully fulfilled its purpose of fostering meditation on the Word of God. I felt more recollected during these portions of the Mass than I often do.

Rarely do I begin Mass, either on Sundays or on weekdays, without first having read the readings. Wednesday’s Mass was a rare exception. Why? The celebrants of the Colloquium liturgies are expected to give a short sermon (a “fervorino”). When I saw the Introit chant (Multae tribulatiónes justórum) printed in the Colloquium music book, I knew at that moment what direction I would go with the homily, and so I found it unnecessary to ask what the readings would be. Sacrosanctum Concilium, after all, specifically calls for preaching to “draw its content mainly from Scriptural and liturgical” sources (SC 35, emphasis added). It was delightful, then, to discover that the (beautifully chanted) readings resonated very well with the message of the Introit and the message that I tried to convey in the sermon.

This Mass provided a welcome respite from the optional practice of daily intercessions. I have written about this tiresome practice before. When the Roman Canon is offered, all the traditional categories for general intercessions are well covered, thus making the bidding prayers superfluous.

The offertory was particularly beautiful, with its focus toward the magnificent high altar, the use of incense, and the complement of quality music. As the motet Sacerdotes offerunt was sung, my thoughts were focused on the task at hand. I was also reminded of the lives of the two saints being celebrated, whose self-offerings are exemplary models of ministerial priesthood and the priesthood of the lay faithful.

Distributing Holy Communion is a humbling act for every priest. It is so much more than a perfunctory task (as I recently reflected). In the Extraordinary Form, the priest actually vocalizes a prayer for each individual who comes forward to receive from him. In the Ordinary Form, although there is no such prescription, I make a private prayer for each person as he or she receives. At the Colloquium Masses, as in the Masses I celebrate in parishes and other places, the genuine devotion of the people is inspiring for priests. Surely we have all experienced exceptions to this, but just as surely, during the Communion Rite at Wednesday’s Mass, the people were able to lead me (and I presume one another) more deeply into the sacred mysteries.

This will conclude my series of reflections on Colloquium XXVI in St. Louis. Pastoral duties required me to leave a bit early, so I will not have reflections to offer about Friday or Saturday. I am grateful for the chance to spend time with Colloquium friends, as well as the opportunity to make new ones.

With gratitude to the CMAA board and all the organizers of the annual Colloquium, I hope to join everyone again next year!

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Church Music Association of America CMAA, Sacred Music Colloquium Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Fr. David Friel

Ordained in 2011, Father Friel is a priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and serves as Director of Liturgy at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary. —(Read full biography).

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President’s Corner

    New Bulletin Article • “14 September 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 14 September 2025) discusses OFFERTORY ANTIPHONS and contains a wonderful quote by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • Draft Copy (Pamphlet)
    A few days ago, I posted a draft copy of this 12-page pamphlet with citations about the laity’s “full, conscious, and active participation.” Its basic point or message is that choir directors should never feel embarrassed to teach real choral music because Vatican II explicitly ordered them to do that! We’ve received tons of mail regarding that pamphlet, with many excellent suggestions for improvement. Please feel free to chime in!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Entrance Chant” • 23rd (Ordinary Time)
    This coming Sunday, 7 September 2025, is the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). You can download the “Entrance Chant,” conveniently located at the feasts website. I also recorded a rehearsal video for it (freely available at the same website). The Communion Chant includes gorgeous verses in FAUXBOURDON. I attempted to create a rehearsal video for it, and it’s been posted at the feasts website, called by some: “church music’s best kept secret.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Karl Keating • “Canonization Questions”
    We were sent an internet statement (screenshot) that’s garnered significant attention, in which KARL KEATING (founder of Catholic Answers) speaks about whether canonizations are infallible. Mr. Keating seems unaware that canonizations are—in the final analysis—a theological opinion. They are not infallible, as explained in this 2014 article by a priest (with a doctorate in theology) who worked for multiple popes. Mr. Keating says: “I’m unaware of such claims arising from any quarter until several recent popes disliked by these Traditionalists were canonized, including John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul II. Usually Paul VI receives the most opprobrium.” Mr. Keating is incorrect; e.g. Father John Vianney, several centuries ago, taught clearly that canonizations are not infallible. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen would be another example, although clearly much more recent than Saint John Vianney.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Vatican II Changed Wedding Propers?
    It’s often claimed that the wedding propers were changed after Vatican II. As a matter of fact, that is a false claim. The EDITIO VATICANA propers (Introit: Deus Israel) remained the same after Vatican II. However, a new set of propers (Introit: Ecce Deus) was provided for optional use. The same holds true for the feast of Pope Saint Gregory the Great on 3 September: the 1943 propers (Introit: Si díligis me) were provided for optional use, but the traditional PROPRIA MISSAE (Introit: Sacerdótes Dei) were retained; they weren’t gotten rid of. The Ordo Cantus Missae (1970) makes this crystal clear, as does the Missal itself. There was an effort made in the post-conciliar years to eliminate so-called “Neo-Gregorian” chants, but (contrary to popular belief) most were retained: cf. the feast of Christ the King, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, and so forth.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Solemn “Salve Regina” (Chant)
    How many “S” words can you think of using alliteration? How about Schwann Solemn Salve Score? You can download the SOLEMN SALVE REGINA in Gregorian Chant. The notation follows the official rhythm (EDITIO VATICANA). Canon Jules Van Nuffel, choirmaster of the Cathedral of Saint Rumbold, composed this accompaniment for it (although some feel it isn’t his best work).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“If we continue to tolerate sad examples of liturgical abnormalities, experimentation, abuse, and simply poor-quality liturgies, why should we single out those connected to the ancient rites of the Church for special vigilance? It just doesn’t seem right.”

— An Example of a response (sent to Pope Francis) Re: the TLM

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