• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

“What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too…” Pope Benedict XVI (7 July 2007)

  • About
  • Symposium
  • Hymnal
  • Jogues Missal
  • Site Map
  • Donate
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

Subscribe to the CCW Mailing List

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).

Primary Sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

19 May 2022 • “Trochee Trouble”

I’m still trying to decide how to visually present the “pure” Editio Vaticana scores, using what is (technically) the official rhythm of the Church. You can download my latest attempt, for this coming Sunday. Notice the “trochee trouble” as well as the old issue of neumes before the quilisma.

—Jeff Ostrowski
16 May 2022 • Harmonized Chant?

This year’s upcoming Sacred Music Symposium will demonstrate several ways to sing the CREDO at Mass. This is because—for many parishes—to sing a full-length polyphonic CREDO by Victoria or Palestrina is out of the question. Therefore, we show options that are halfway between plainsong and polyphony. You can hear my choir rehearsing a section that sounds like harmonized plainsong.

—Jeff Ostrowski
14 May 2022 • “Pure” Vatican Edition

As readers know, my choir has been singing from the “pure” Editio Vaticana. That is to say, the official rhythm which—technically—is the only rhythm allowed by the Church. I haven’t figured out how I want the scores to look, so in the meantime we’ve been using temporary scores that look like this. Stay tuned!

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“In the Latin Church the pipe organ is to be held in high esteem, for it is the traditional musical instrument which adds a wonderful splendor to the Church’s ceremonies and powerfully lifts up man’s mind to God and to higher things.”

— Vatican II Council

Recent Posts

  • 19 May 2022 • “Trochee Trouble”
  • “Gregorian Chant Not In Danger Pope Tells French”
  • PDF Download • “O Salutaris” (Modern Setting)
  • Summer Ward Method Courses • CUA 2022
  • PDF Download • 2022 “Vespers Booklet” (99 Pages)

Copyright © 2022 Corpus Christi Watershed · Gabriel Lalemant on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Corpus Christi Watershed is a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to exploring and embodying as our calling the relationship of religion, culture, and the arts. This non-profit organization employs the creative media in service of theology, the Church, and Christian culture for the enrichment and enjoyment of the public.