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Corpus Christi Watershed

“A much greater source of anxiety to Us is the style of action of those who maintain that liturgical worship should shed its sacred character, who foolishly say we should substitute for sacred items & furnishings ordinary common things in daily use.” —Pope Saint Paul VI (14 Oct 1968)

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Views from the Choir Loft

Nostalgia Is Not Rigid

Dr. Alfred Calabrese · December 1, 2016

606 Larger AM NOSTALGIC for lots of things. That’s why I’m going to see the new movie musical La La Land when It comes out. They say the lead actors remind us of the great dance partners of bygone days, Astaire and Rogers or Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse. I like movies of the 1930s and 1940s, especially around the holidays. I watch lots of them; The Bells of St. Mary’s, It’s a Wonderful Life, White Christmas. I really love that time period, sometimes imagining myself living then, sort of nostalgically. Why? I wasn’t even born when these movies were made. I have no memory of those times. How could I be nostalgic for them? Is there something wrong with me?

I also enjoy studying American history, especially the eras of both World Wars. I sometimes wish I had lived during those times, not because they were great times in which to live (they weren’t, for obvious reasons) but because I’d like to have had the opportunity to know my ancestors when they were young, to be part of those family stories I heard about and experienced only briefly after they were much older. I’d also like to have known some of the composers of those days. I have an admiration for the sacrifices of the people of that era. I admire their work ethic. But is there some other strange reason I have these pangs of nostalgia? Am I being too rigid? Am I being defensive about something? Should I dig deeper? Maybe there is something wrong with me psychologically.

I work and live in a Vatican II parish in a Vatican II diocese. I’ve been to exactly four Extraordinary Form Masses in my entire life (at least that I am old enough to remember). I have no need to advocate for or against which form of Mass is better than another. My personal musical preferences are for those prescribed in the traditions of the Church: polyphony and chant and Latin. But I am also a strong advocate for English cathedral anthems and good hymnody when appropriate. I like my liturgies well-rehearsed and soberly executed. I appreciate traditional vestments and I feel that rubrics matter. But no matter the style of music or the language used, above all I am a champion for beauty and for all involved to give only their very best effort to the worship of God.

I don’t think young people (or most people, frankly) are drawn to the pre-conciliar Mass because of nostalgia. I think they’re looking for a deeper understanding of the faith, and richer way to experience it. Perhaps they’re looking for a way to connect with their ancestors, or with the saints! Some people find this in the Traditional Mass while others find it in a beautifully celebrated Novus Ordo.

I’ve met some of these young people. I wouldn’t consider them rigid. Rather, I submit that they are anything but. Often criticized, sometimes ostracized, and usually misunderstood, could it be that they are actually counter cultural, out-of-the-box non-conformists? This can be said of anyone who goes against the prevailing winds of society and pop culture. You don’t have to attend the Latin Mass to be one of these people. Simply being a young person who attends Mass regularly and tries to live the way the Church teaches is countercultural. Instead of wondering what’s wrong with folks, especially the younger ones who actually love to attend Mass, shouldn’t we just be extremely happy that they do? But maybe I’m just being too rigid. I’ll dig deeper.

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 Dr. Alfred Calabrese

Dr. Alfred Calabrese is Director of Music and Liturgy at St. Rita Catholic Church in Dallas, TX. He and his wife have two children.—(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    This coming Sunday—13 July 2025—is the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). All the chants have been conveniently assembled and posted at the feasts website. The OFFERTORY, Ad Te Levávi, is particularly beautiful.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Music Director Job • $80,000 per year
    Our readers will be interested in this job offering for Music Director at Saint Adalbert’s Basilica, located 40 minutes from where I live. My pastor was recently elevated to this basilica. He is offering $80,000 per year, plus benefits. I’m told Saint Adalbert’s Basilica is utterly gorgeous and contains one of America’s most magnificent pipe organs. It would be fantastic to have a colleague nearby!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Simplest “Agnus Dei” Ever Published
    Our choir is on break during the month of July. I needed a relatively simple “Agnus Dei,” so I composed this setting for organ & voice in honor of Saint René Goupil. It has been called the simplest setting ever composed. I love CARMEN GREGORIANUM (“Gregorian Chant”), especially the ALLELUIAS, INTROITS, and COMMUNION ANTIPHONS. That being said, some have pointed out that certain sections of the Kyriale aren’t as strong as the Graduale or Vesperale. There’s a reason for this—but it would be too complicated to explain at this moment.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Pope Pius XII Hymnal?
    Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Hybrid” Chant Notation?
    Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Antiphons Don’t Match?
    A reader wants to know why the Entrance and Communion antiphons in certain publications deviate from what’s prescribed by the GRADUALE ROMANUM published after Vatican II. Click here to read our answer. The short answer is: the Adalbert Propers were never intended to be sung. They were intended for private Masses only (or Masses without music). The “Graduale Parvum,” published by the John Henry Newman Institute of Liturgical Music in 2023, mostly uses the Adalbert Propers—but sometimes uses the GRADUALE text: e.g. Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (29 June).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“Those who are trying to improve the quality of congregational singing cannot refuse to Gregorian chant the place which is due to it.”

— Sacred Congregation of Divine Worship (14 April 1974)

Recent Posts

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  • The Tallis Scholars
  • Music Director Job • $80,000 per year
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