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Corpus Christi Watershed

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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President’s Corner

    Liturgical Round (“Canon”) in C-Major
    Those who direct children’s choirs are always on the lookout for repertoire that’s dignified, inspired, and pleasing—yet still within reach of young choristers. Such directors will want to investigate this haunting liturgical round (PDF download) which has been married to the KYRIE from Mass VI (EDITIO VATICANA). I have provided an accompaniment, but it’s only for use during rehearsal; i.e. when teaching this round to your choristers. I also provided an organ accompaniment for the KYRIE—which some know by its trope (Kyrie Rex Genitor)—so that your congregation can take part when this round is used as a choral extension during Mass.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Latin Liturgy Association
    We note with pleasure that Mrs. Regina Morris, president of the Latin Liturgy Association, has featured—on page 4 of Volume CXXIX of their official newsletter—the three (3) terrific versions of the Stations of the Cross found in the Brébeuf Hymnal. One of the main authors for the blog of the Church Music Association of America said (6/10/2019) about this pew book: “It is such a fantastic hymnal that it deserves to be in the pews of every Catholic church.”
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Music List” • 28th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 12 October 2025, which is the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). 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 dazzling feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    New Bulletin Article • “12 October 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 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
    The American Catholic Hymnal, with IMPRIMATUR granted (25 April 1991) by the Archdiocese of Chicago, is like a compendium of every horrible idea from the 1980s. Imagine being forced to stand all through Communion (even afterwards) when those self-same ‘enlightened’ liturgists moved the SEQUENCE before the Alleluia to make sure congregations wouldn’t have to stand during it. (Even worse, everything about the SEQUENCE—including its name—means it should follow the Alleluia.) And imagine endlessly repeating “Alleluia” during Holy Communion at every single Mass. It was all part of an effort to convince people that Holy Communion was historically a procession (which it wasn’t).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Fifty years ago, Dr. Theodore Marier made available this clever arrangement (PDF) of “Come down, O love divine” by P. R. Dietterich. The melody was composed in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (d. 1958) and named in honor of of his birthplace: DOWN AMPNEY. The arrangement isn’t a strict canon, but it does remind one of a canon since the pipe organ employs “points of imitation.” The melody and text are #709 in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“And thus, when we renounce for Thee | Its restless aims and fears, | The tender mem’ries of the past, | The hopes of coming years, | Poor is our sacrifice, whose eyes | Are lighted from above; | We offer what we cannot keep, | What we have ceased to love.”

— Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman

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  • Latin Liturgy Association
  • Important Quote by a Church Musician

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