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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

Saving the Church, One Choir at a Time

Dr. Alfred Calabrese · August 29, 2018

87756 alfred calabrese IS THE SEASON for choirs that have been on summer hiatus to begin work anew. This year, for the first time ever, I decided to begin our season’s work after Labor Day, never realizing last June when I made that decision how welcome these extra few weeks would be. Welcome, because it’s been hard to digest all the awfulness that’s been going on in our Catholic world, hard to know how to answer the inevitable questions that will come from choir members, those eager to know how “I feel” about this or that. I’ll tell them, of course, that I feel mostly likely just as they do—scandalized, angry, discouraged, fed-up, (did I say angry?). Many will have shed tears. Where’s the good news in all of this?

If you have, like I do, an enlightened and thoughtful pastor, then you’ll have some hope. Mine has talked to us about the strength of the parish, the sanctity of the small community. I believe it. It’s the parish, each exercising its own little “Benedict Option” that will save the Church. And it can start with our choirs. Do not be fooled into thinking there is nothing we can do, lowly church musicians that we may be. We have the power because we’re on the ground, in the parishes. We have credibility. Now is not the time to sit idly by and wring our hands. Now is the time for action. Here are three things you can do with your choir to save the Church.

Sing music of the true faith, both ancient and newly composed.

We have at our disposal a treasure trove of truth and beauty, of tradition and sanctification. The beauty which formed the great saints of old is still ours today. Pope Paul VI said, “The smoke of Satan has entered the Church of God.” And yet, each week we give form to true words and truer faith, to music composed for the ancient and beautiful worship of God. With our collective choral inspirations and exhalations, we can cut through that fetid smoke and drive it away.

Pray with your choir.

Begin and end each rehearsal with prayer. Pray upon entering the church and before Mass. Pray for help, for strength, and for courage. Pray for the Church. Find and use the prayers of old before they are lost, those that remind us of the heroic saints, the noble women and men of brave convictions, before we forget that such a being ever existed.

Teach the children.

Let the little ones come unto you. Teach the youngest among you about the faith. If you have not already done so, form a children’s choir. They will learn so much from you. They are our hope and our future.

On the ground in our parishes and in our choirs is where the truth lies. Let us not retreat. In our choirs we teach, pray, guard and defend, build relationships and create the light. We can save the Church, one choir at a time.

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

    Why A “Fugue” Here?
    I believe I know why this plainsong harmonizer created a tiny fugue as the INTRODUCTION to his accompaniment. Take a look (PDF) and tell me your thoughts about what he did on the feast of the Flight of Our Lord Jesus Christ into Egypt (17 February). And now I must go because “tempus fugit” as they say!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    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
    “Reminder” — Month of October (2025)
    Those who don’t sign up for our free EMAIL NEWSLETTER miss important notifications. Last week, for example, I sent a message about this job opening for a music director paying $65,000 per year plus benefits (plus weddings & funerals). Notice the job description says: “our vision for sacred music is to move from singing at Mass to truly singing the Mass wherein … especially the propers, ordinaries, and dialogues are given their proper place.” Signing up couldn’t be easier: simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “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
    Did they simplify these hymn harmonies?
    Choirs love to sing the famous & splendid tune called “INNSBRUCK.” Looking through a (Roman Catholic) German hymnal printed in 1952, I discovered what appears to be a simplified version of that hymn. In other words, their harmonization is much less complex than the version found in the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal (which is suitable for singing by SATB choir). Please download their 1952 harmonization (PDF) and let me know your thoughts. I really like the groovy Germanic INTRODUCTION they added.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

Amid all these old liturgical books, I find that I am happy and at ease; I feel at home.

— Dom André Mocquereau (1884)

Recent Posts

  • The Real Miracle of Gregorian Chant
  • Why A “Fugue” Here?
  • “Three Reasons To Shun Bad Hymns” • Daniel B. Marshall
  • “Puzzling Comment” • By A Respected FSSP Priest
  • New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”

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