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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

21 Thoughts • “Exterior Actions at Mass”

Corpus Christi Watershed · September 10, 2018

87651 • Fr Christopher Smith PRINCE OF PEACE TAYLORS ATHER Christopher Smith recently preached a homily that begs of you a listen—challenging the faithful to manifest their love of God in their exterior actions at the Mass. A few prompts for prayerful reflection are adapted from the homily below as you discern, “What would a non-Catholic Christian see from our example if they watched us in the Church at Mass?”

1. Do we see Sunday as a joyful occasion that we have the privilege to participate in as sons and daughters of Christ?

2. Is Sunday special—different from all other days?

3. Do we dress for Mass not by putting on whatever clothes happen to be available, but by dressing outwardly and inwardly for the wedding feast of the Lamb?

4. Do we realize each one of us was created by God to worship Him and that all time belongs to Him? Or, do we begrudge Him one hour of our week for Mass?

5. Do we arrive early for Mass to pray, focus and prepare for the most important thing we do each week? Or, are we running around like a chicken with its head cut off sailing into Mass distracted and not ready to pray? [families with children, we understand this is not always feasible]

6. Mass is not a spectator sport. The fruitfulness of the Mass within us depends on the disposition of our heart that we bring to it. We have to choose to engage it by disciplining our wandering minds by focusing on every word, gesture and ceremony of the Mass.

7. Are we watching the Mass with eyes of faith?

8. Are we listening to Mass with ears and hearts open to the truth proclaimed in the readings and prayers?

9. Are we tasting with devotion and reverence of the holy Eucharist?

10. Are we grasping the sacred by crossing ourselves, kneeling, bowing, genuflecting, standing and sitting not just because it is a ritual, but with purpose and love?

11. Are we smelling the incense, candles, flowers—the Church itself? Do we engage our entire bodies in worship—all five (5) senses—or do we just sit there and wait it out?

12. When we come into Church, do we plunge our hands into the Holy water font and remind ourselves that we were signed, sealed and delivered by our baptism and confirmation as children of God and heirs to heaven?

13. Do we genuflect by going all the way down on our right knee slowly as a sign of adoration to Christ as King who reigns from the throne of love in the tabernacle?

14. Do we put aside all earthly cares before Mass, get into a zone of prayer and enter a space of worship?

15. Do we carefully observe silence before and after Mass? Do we remember that this Church is the gate of Heaven and the only person to whom we should be speaking is to God?

16. Do we say the responses clearly and distinctly? Or, do we mumble?

17. Do we sing the ordinary of the Mass and the hymns with the beautiful voice God gave us?

18. Gentlemen of the congregation—you are the priests of the domestic church. That means that your children and everyone else are looking for you to be a model or worship and prayer. What contrary witness do men give when not picking up the music sheet to sing or slouching and mumbling?

19. Do we bow upon the name of Jesus?

20. When we come up to Holy Communion, do we assume an attitude of reverence and devotion and then allowing ourselves to be fed by the Body of Christ?

21. Judas was the only one who left the Last Supper early. And, he did it to betray our Lord. Do not leave Mass early. If we can’t stand to be in Church for an hour a week, how will we spend eternity with God?


Text courtesy of this source.


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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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

“The Pope is not an absolute monarch whose thoughts and desires are law. On the contrary: the Pope’s ministry is a guarantee of obedience to Christ and to his Word. He must not proclaim his own ideas, but rather constantly bind himself and the Church to obedience to God’s Word, in the face of every attempt to adapt it or water it down, and every form of opportunism.”

— ‘His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI (11 May 2005)’

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