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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

Success! • Sacred Music Retreat in Ohio

Guest Author · October 5, 2018

87423 John Schauble FEW SHORT MONTHS AGO, I had the privilege of taking part in a Sacred Music Retreat near Cincinnati, Ohio. Hosted by the Oratorian Community of Cincinnati, the retreat featured Msgr. Wadsworth as the spiritual presenter, along with Kevin Allen and Nick Lemme as the music presenters. Fifty choir members from around the country—California to Maryland, Minnesota to Texas—came together for four days of intense Liturgy in the Extraordinary Form.

In general terms, a retreat is an opportunity to immerse oneself in meditation over conferences proposed by the retreat master, to spend time in individual and group prayer, all while focused on some spiritual end. Often, the traditional retreat is virtually silent except the periods of vocal prayer, and the focus is typically on the relationship of one’s soul with the Creator.

    * *  “Live” Recording • Kevin Allen “Jesu Dulcis Memoria”

This was almost exactly the same…but completely and utterly different.

87414 mass INTENDED FOR liturgical Martha’s more than liturgical Mary’s, our retreat was designed to probe the dignity and value of being a member of the liturgical choir and the corresponding responsibilities inherent therein. Spiritual conferences examined the Liturgy, the Sanctification of Time, the nature of pontifical ceremonies. The rehearsals were acts of prayer that sought to give us the tools to better accomplish our purpose. The liturgies were meditations in which we fulfilled our role of increasing the honor and glory rendered to God through participation in the worship of the Church.

The schedule was…ambitious. Prime at 6:15am followed by short meditation and Mass. Six hours of rehearsals bookending two hours of spiritual conferences. Visits to the Blessed Sacrament and time for confessions. Compline at 9:00pm followed by Grand Silence. Fourteen liturgies over the span of four days including the three public pontifical liturgies of Saturday and Sunday, celebrated by Bp. Slattery. Immersion in what defines our very purpose as members of the choir. Within these liturgies, we had an intentional range of the very simple to the very solemn. Low Mass and Prime in recto-tone without cantors; simple sung Compline with cantors; Solemn Vespers and Solemn Mass; Pontifical Vespers, Pontifical Matins / Lauds of the Dead, and two Pontifical High Masses—we ran a full gamut of different liturgical functions to illustrate the rich diversity of the Extraordinary Form. Throughout, our focus was on perfection of effort over perfection of performance, although we worked diligently for the latter with the public liturgies—no easy feat given the amount of music involved.

87422 Kevin Allen Conducting Several of the participants described the retreat as transformational in how they view their role as liturgical musicians. Of course, different things resonated with different people. For some, the musical and liturgical pedagogy while for others, the spiritual conferences. For some, the techniques gleaned from working with outstanding master musicians that we had as presenters while for others, the chance to form relationships with other directors and choir members. Relationships not merely as friends with common purpose but ordered toward aiding one another in the task of increasing the honor and glory of God through our music.

Feedback from participants revolved around two key statements. The first was the surprise that many had at discovering the deep and profound spirituality simply from chanting the Divine Office over the course of the retreat. For many, the Divine Office was a unique experience, and the hours of Prime and Compline quite moving and meaningful. The other statement was the recognition that we need more events just like this! “When will the next retreat be held?” was a question I heard frequently in the last day or two.

    * *  Facebook Page • Sacred Music Retreat

If you’d like more information about the Sacred Music Retreat or other similar events in the future, please visit the above link to our Facebook page. From that page, there are links to recordings and pictures from the retreat. Other groups have discussed hosting similar retreats in the future, and we will post information as we are made aware. Some of you may be interested to know that we are “in discovery” regarding a Sacred Music Pilgrimage to Europe in 2023 (exclusively Extraordinary Form). We’ll continue to post information about that as we explore the options that are available to us.

I leave you with the two mottos that define purpose in our choir:

Ad maiorem Dei gloriam. Da mihi animas, cetera tolle.

[All] to the greater glory of God. Give me souls, take away the rest.


We hope you enjoyed this guest article by John Schauble.



Source of Information: Official Letter

Source of Images: J. Senneff Facebook Page

Source of Recordings:     01   •   02   •   03   •   04

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

    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

“The following question is asked by the Most Reverend Lord Bishop of the Diocese of Chur: May this Diocese’s ancient custom be continued of having the Celebrant in Sung Masses (excepting more solemn Masses) intone the Credo and when he is finished reciting it going on immediately to the offertory and finishing it while the credo is being sung by the choir?” (Dubium of Dec 1909)

— 11 December 1909

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