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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

7 Points • “The Joy of Lent”

Dr. Alfred Calabrese · February 23, 2017

339 Ash Wednesday OME PEOPLE SEEM to dread the season of Lent. I’m not sure why that is exactly, but I can guess. Perhaps they think there is too much focus on negative things, like sin. Maybe they don’t want to think about depriving themselves by fasting, or going without meat on Fridays. Maybe the Lenten hymns aren’t uplifting or “happy” enough for them, or maybe they’re uncomfortable with extra silence during the Mass. I’ve even had priests tell me that people just tend to be in a really bad mood during Lent, and that complaints about all sorts of things, especially the music, are going to start pouring into the church.

Well, I don’t buy it. If we help people to understand all the positive aspects of Lent, the more they will appreciate it. In fact, the more I think about it, I think that Lent just might be my favorite time of the Church year.

Some of the reasons I look forward to the Lenten season:

(1) Great choral music

There is so much passionate, expressive, moving, and just plain GREAT choral music that really only makes sense during Lent. From Allegri’s famous Miserere (not to mention settings by Lotti, Byrd and Palestrina) to Morley’s Nolo mortem peccatoris, Tu solus qui facis mirabilia by Josquin, Byrd’s In jejunio et fletu, Anerio’s Christus factus est; the list is endless and I haven’t even mentioned the great anthems in English! Joy in both singing and listening.

(2) Hymnody

Unmistakable tunes like HEINLEIN, ST FLAVIAN, ERHALT UNS HERR, PASSION CHORALE, and ATTENDE DOMINE are so associated with Lent that we are immersed in the flavor of the season immediately upon their sounding, while their hymn texts are like little mini-homilies, leading us through the Biblical and theological highpoints of our Lenten journey.

(3) The Rites of Christian Initiation

Each week we welcome and get to know our brothers and sisters who will soon be in full Communion with us in the faith. That’s pretty uplifting if you ask me.

(4) A return to the confessional

Many parishes and dioceses put a renewed emphasis on the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Extra penance services are held and people are encouraged to make a good Lenten confession before Easter. Lines for confession get longer and more people seem to take their faith more seriously. A reason to rejoice!

(5) Time for reflection

The restriction of the organ and other instruments to only accompany singing leaves more time for silence. As I mentioned earlier, this extra silence might make some people feel uncomfortable. But we can learn to use this time as a chance for extra prayer and active listening. How wonderful to have the opportunity to heighten our internal joy even as we place limits on our external pleasures.

(6) Increased use of chant and Latin

During Lent many parishes will sing a Latin Agnus Dei or Sanctus. Some choirs may include a chanted Introit. And in some fortunate places, the priest may even sing more of his parts! While these things certainly should take place all year ‘round, this is still a positive sign for which we should all be thankful.

(7) Laetare Sunday

Rejoice, Jerusalem! We are closer than ever to our Easter joy.

As I mentioned above, there is so much great choral music from which to choose during Lent, and I love that process. I am thrilled that I will get to share that process and some of my favorite pieces at the Sacred Music Symposium 2017 this coming June. In the meantime, have a listen to one of my favorite English anthems for Lent:

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

    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

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

“Perhaps he had too much sense of humour to be altogether a great man: he lacked pomposity.”

— Msgr. Ronald Knox writing about Father Adrian Fortescue

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