Views from the Choir Loft

Society for Catholic Liturgy Conference 2018

Fr. David Friel · July 15, 2018

OMANO Guardini will be the unifying theme among all of the papers delivered at this year’s Society for Catholic Liturgy (SCL) conference. Guardini was one of the most influential figures in the Liturgical Movement during its early-twentieth-century phase. This year (2018) marks the centenary of the publication of Guardini’s classic book, Vom Geist der Liturgie (The Spirit of the Liturgy).

The SCL conference will be held 27–29 September 2018 at the Cathedral of Saint Mary in Miami, FL. The event will feature a solemn Mass in the Ordinary Form on Friday, as well as a solemn pontifical Mass in the Extraordinary Form on Saturday.

Numerous papers will be presented during the days of this conference, but the three keynote address will include:

Gerhard Cardinal Müller, former Prefect of the CDF (“Lex orandi, lex credendi”)

Archbishop Thomas Wenski, Archbishop of Miami (Topic TBA)

Secretariat of the USCCB Committee on Divine Worship (Topic TBA)

More details about the conference—including registration information and titles of papers to be delivered—are available here. I am pleased to be presenting a conference paper entitled, “Romano Guardini and the Priesthood of the Baptized.”

OUNDED in 1995, the Society for Catholic Liturgy is a unique organization that brings together faithful Catholic scholars and artists from around the world to recover, discuss, and promote the rich liturgical tradition of the Church. The Society holds an annual three-day conference and publishes Antiphon: A Journal for Liturgical Renewal, which deals with important theoretical and practical questions in the fields of liturgy and sacramental theology.

About Fr. David Friel

Ordained in 2011, Father Friel served for five years as Parochial Vicar at St. Anselm Parish in Northeast Philly. He is currently a doctoral candidate in liturgical theology at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

“Daily I sat in the temple, close to you…”

Fulton J. Sheen always said the “very best translation” of Sacred Scripture was the version by Monsignor Ronald Knox, and here’s what Knox had for the Passion read today (Pre-1955 Palm Sunday): “And Jesus said to the multitude at that hour, You have come out to my arrest with swords and clubs, as if I were a robber; and yet I used to sit teaching in the temple close to you, day after day, and you never laid hands on me.” (Mt 26:55)

Did you catch that? Our Lord sat close to them! He was near them! The Second Person of the Blessed Trinity touched them, and was friendly toward them! Truly, the people who can hurt us the most—and betray us the most—are those whom we have loved.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Sacred Music Symposium • “What We Avoid”

I wish we had to time to discuss artwork at the Sacred Music Symposium, but there’s just not enough time. At this year’s conference in June, we will sing an absolutely incredible Magnificat setting by Father Francisco Guerrero (d. 1599). If you examine the part books, you will notice a marvelous aesthetic desire to avoid the same capital letter—for the sake of beauty. Do you see how the Part Books find a way to avoid repeating the Capital G twice, by using the word “Superius” (which is roughly analogous to “Soprano”)? Breathtaking!

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Abraham” • Guerrero Imitates His Teacher

Father Francisco Guerrero (d. 1599) studied music with Father Cristóbal de Morales circa 1545. He taught himself the organ. On 3 April 1542 he was engaged as a contralto by Seville Cathedral at an annual salary of 12,000 maravedís. He remained there until 1546, when, at the age of only 17, he was invited—on the recommendation of Father Morales—to become mæstro de capilla of Jaén Cathedral. He was entrusted with the boarding, lodging, and instruction of the six choirboys; but he neglected this duty and was sentenced to be dismissed on 30 August 1548. However, he was absolved and reinstated on 3 November. I think you can see (perhaps) a little homage to his teacher on the word “Abraham.”

—Jeff Ostrowski