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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

In the Beauty of Holiness: Music and the Transcendent

Fr. David Friel · October 8, 2017

HILADELPHIA is home to a fascinating organization called the International Institute for Culture (IIC). Their website describes the non-profit as a research center devoted to promoting international understanding through cultural means. Practically, this means that the IIC hosts conferences and concerts, art exhibits and Oktoberfests, and even courses in Latin and Greek.

At the heart of the IIC’s vision for culture is the Catholic Faith. As their website explains:

The purpose of IIC is not to advance the idea that it is possible to restore some ideal Christian past. There never has been one. Rather, it is to look at the way in which the Faith has shaped cultures in the past and the culture in which we live today, the manner in which it preserved and elevated whatever was good and noble in any culture which it encountered and repudiated whatever debased the human spirit. With such knowledge and with a commitment to the Redeemer of Culture, we can begin working together to build the new “civilization of love.”

Recently announced is a new program of talks at the IIC, billed as a “Sunday Brunch and Lecture Series.” Building upon an earlier lecture series that focused on art and architecture, this new series finds its focus in music and kicks off next week.

In the Beauty of Holiness: Music and the Transcendent

Sunday, October 15, 2017
The Unity of Ascent: Musical Supplication and Redemption in Early Modern Venice
Dr. Sara Pecknold, Musicologist, The Catholic University of America

Sunday, November 5, 2017
Pedro de Gante and the Creation of Euro-Aztec Catholic Song in Sixteenth Century Mexico
Dr. Lorenzo Candelaria, Music Historian, University of Texas at El Paso

Sunday, December 3, 2017
Gregorian Chant and the Spirit of Liturgical Prayer
Dr. Timothy McDonnell, Director of the Institute of Sacred Music, The Catholic University of America

Sunday, January 7, 2018
The Language of Music to Address the Holy
Mark Bradford, former Director of Sacred Music, St. Charles Borromeo Seminary

Sunday, February 4, 2018
Pythagoras, Bach, and Universal Harmony in the Great B-Minor Mass
Dr. Lorenzo Candelaria, Music Historian, University of Texas at El Paso

Sunday, March 4, 2018
Music in Honor of San Gennaro: Early Modern Martyr, Miracle Worker, and Musical Protagonist
Dr. Anthony DelDonna, Musicologist, Georgetown University

Sunday, April 8, 2018
The Island of Catholic Exuberance in Protestant Germany: Music of the Dresden Court
Dr. Timothy McDonnell, Director of the Institute of Sacred Music, The Catholic University of America

For each of these events, brunch will be served at 12:45 PM at Ivy Hall (6331 Lancaster Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19151), which follows the 11:30 AM Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Church nearby. The lectures will begin at 2 PM, and the suggested donation is $15/person or $35/family to defray the cost of the brunch and lecture.

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Gregorian Chant, Johann Sebastian Bach 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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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    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
    “Music List” • 14 September (Holy Cross)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I prepared for 14 September 2025, which is the Feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross. If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the spectacular feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    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

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

“These liturgists protest that the choir must be encouraged, but in the same breath we are told its purpose is to lead the congregation in the singing of hymns and other unison music. These directions from non-musicians who have never created a musical sound—let alone direct a choir—are the cause of consternation among practicing musicians, both instrumentalists and singers.”

— Monsignor Richard J. Schuler (30 November 1967)

Recent Posts

  • Children’s Repertoire: “3 Recommendations”
  • PDF Download • Dom Murray Harmonies
  • “Music List” • 14 September (Holy Cross)
  • Do You Recognize This Hymn? Do You Like It?
  • Charlie Kirk’s Fascination with Traditional Catholic Liturgy

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