Views from the Choir Loft

Update on Sacra Liturgia Milano 2017

Fr. David Friel · November 27, 2016

LANS FOR Sacra Liturgia Milano continue to take shape. Building on the success of Sacra Liturgia proceedings in Rome (2013), New York City (2015), and London (2016), this gathering bills itself as an international conference on liturgical formation, celebration, and mission.

The conference will be held June 6-9, 2017, with presentations being given in the Aula Magna of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Milan. All talks will be simultaneously translated in Italian and English.

Among the most interesting aspects of this symposium will be the accompanying liturgical celebrations, which will include both uses of the Ambrosian rite. Solemn vespers, led by His Eminence Dionigi Cardinal Tettamanzi, will open the conference. Liturgies will be held in the Basilica of St. Ambrose, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and another still-to-be-determined site.

Arrangements are being made for an organized afternoon of cultural visits, allowing participants to explore such places as the Bibliotheca Ambrosiana and the church of San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore.

At this time, the impressive list of speakers includes: His Eminence Robert Cardinal Sarah, His Eminence Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke, Abbot Christopher Zielinski, Fr. Uwe Michael Lang, C.O., Dom Alcuin Reid, Prof. Jennifer Donelson, Msgr. Claudio Magnoli, Fr. Vincenze Nuara, O.P., Msgr. Timothy Verdon, Prof. Angelo Rusconi, Prof. Cesare Alzati, Msgr. Marco Navoni, Msgr. Ennio Apeciti, and Dr. Andrea Gramegna.

The conference website is set to launch in December, with registration opening by the end of January. In the meantime, the best way to stay informed of developments on Sacra Liturgia Milano 2017 is via their Facebook page.

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

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).

New Bulletin Article • “21 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 21 September 2025) discusses some theological items—supported by certain verses in ancient Catholic hymns—and ends by explaining why certain folks become delirious with jealousy when they observe feats by Monsignor Ronald Knox.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Cheap! Cheap! Cheap!

It’s always amusing to see old diocesan newspapers—in huge capital letters—advertising the Cheapest Catholic Paper in the United States. The correspondent who sent this to me added: “I can think of certain composers, published by large companies in our own day, who could truthfully brag about the most tawdry compositions in the world!” I wonder what she could have meant by such a cryptic comment…

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • Dom Murray Harmonies

Along with so many others, I have deep respect for Dom Gregory Gregory Murray, who produced this clever harmonization (PDF) of “O SANCTISSIMA.” It’s always amazed me that Dom Gregory—a truly inspired composer—was so confused when it came to GREGORIAN CHANT. Throughout his life, he published contradictory statements, veering back-and-forth like a weather vane. Toward the end of his life, he declared: “I see clearly that the need for reform in liturgical music arose, not in the 18th and 19th centuries, but a thousand years earlier—in the 8th and 9th centuries, or even before that. The abuses began, not with Mozart and Haydn, but with those over-enthusiastic medieval musicians who developed the elaborate and flamboyant Gregorian Chant.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

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