• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

“What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too…” Pope Benedict XVI (7 July 2007)

  • About
  • Symposium
  • Hymnal
  • Jogues Missal
  • Site Map
  • Donate
Views from the Choir Loft

A German Franciscan Soldier who Sang

Veronica Brandt · March 16, 2019

Un Franciscain chez les SS HE STORY of the life of Fr Gereon Goldmann OFM is amazing on many levels. A seminarian who was drafted into the Nazi army, ascended ranks, all while keeping and defending the Faith, is bound to have some capitivating experiences to share.

Amongst all the horror of war, the amazing close escapes, the heart wrenching tragedies, there are pieces of consolation. One small glimpse into this priest’s background comes out in a few adventures involving sacred music. Here are two such episodes.

Being discovered as Christians as new recruits:

The young lieutenant, younger even than I, turned white and screamed at me and the other seminarians who had been pointed out to him: “Up a tree—quick, march!” Promptly, tongues in cheek, we obeyed the command and climbed the nearest tree. We found comfortable perches on handy cross-branches and peered down. Somehow, our expressions did not seem to the lieutenant to be suitable; we were not contrite, but triumphant, and so once again he gave a command: “Sing a hymn!”

With all the dignity at our command, considering our perch, we loudly sang the Te Deum— in Latin, of course. The poor lieutenant understood only his army German and roared, “What was that? I ordered you to sing a church song!”

“But, lieutenant,” I replied loudly, so that the others who were standing around showing various emotions at this spectacle, could hear, “that was a church song. We are sorry that you do not understand it. But of course the language of the church is Latin or Greek or Hebrew. Those who do not understand these languages cannot, unfortunately, understand the songs of the church.”

And later, when stationed in France:

On July 14 in Vaux sur Blaise, the French celebrated their national holiday—which we did not know at the time. We went to Mass as usual, and three or four choirgirls began to whine away at singing the High Mass. We could not long endure that, and some six Franciscan seminarians opened up and sang a true choral Mass. The French were speechless.—and so were we next morning. The entire staff was in an uproar. Word quickly got around that we sang, in SS uniform, in a French church on Bastille Day…

After the war, Fr Goldmann did wonderful work in Japan. Later in life he founded St Gregory House in Tokyo, an institute for teaching Sacred Music in 1979, where he taught for 15 years.

The Shadow of His Wings is available from Ignatius Press as Paperback, eBook, Audio Book and Graphic Novel. The Graphic Novel doesn’t mention these musical escapades, but my kids found it much more approachable.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

Subscribe to the CCW Mailing List

About Veronica Brandt

Veronica Brandt holds a Bachelor Degree in Electrical Engineering. She lives near Sydney, Australia, with her husband and six children.—(Read full biography).

Primary Sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

Alabama Assessment!

We received this evaluation of Symposium 2022 from an Alabama participant:

“Oh, how the Symposium echoed the words of Cardinal Merry Del Val: …choosing only what is most conformed to Thy glory, which is my final aim. In one short and fast paced week, the faculty and attendees showed me the hand of God and our Lady working in our lives. The wide range of education—from Gregorian Chant, jazz modes in organ improvisation, to ‘staying sane’ while leading a choir—were certainly first-class knowledge from the best teachers of the art. However, the most powerful lesson was learning how to pray as a choir. The sacrifice of putting songs together, taking time to learn the sacred text, meditating on the church teaching through the chants, and gaining the virtues required to persevere in these duties were not only qualities of a choir but of a saint. The sanctification of the lives of the attendees was a beautiful outcome of this event … and that in itself is worth more than a beautifully-sung Solesmes style chant!”

—Jeff Ostrowski
PDF Download • Trinity Sunday (22 pages)

Feel free to download this Organ Accompaniment Booklet for Trinity Sunday (Second Vespers). Notice how the modes progress by number. Psalm 1 is mode 1; Psalm 2 is mode 2; Psalm 3 is mode 3; Psalm 4 is mode 4; Psalm 5 is mode 5. I am told by an expert that other feasts (such as Corpus Christi) are likewise organized by mode, and it’s called a “numerical office.”

—Jeff Ostrowski
10 June 2022 • “Official” rhythm of plainsong

I continue to search for the most beautiful way to present the “pure” Editio Vaticana scores. (Technically, the “pure” rhythm of the official edition is what everyone is supposed to use.) You can download my latest attempt, which is the Introit for this coming Sunday: Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. Because this is not an ancient feast, the Introit had to be adapted (perhaps around 750AD). Prior Johner says the adaptation is “not an entirely happy one.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“Victoria not only made his professional debut as church organist: he also continued active on the organ bench until the very eve of his death. Indeed, during his last seven years at Madrid (1604-1611) he occupied no other musical post but that of convent organist.”

— Dr. Robert Stevenson (1961)

Recent Posts

  • “I Decided to Get a Plane Ticket and Fly 8,700 Miles From Singapore to Take Part.”
  • Alabama Assessment!
  • “How Has Nobody Done This Before?” • Vol. 1
  • “Exceeded Every Expectation!” • Mr. O’Brien’s Review
  • “81 Photos” • Sacred Music Symposium 2022

Copyright © 2022 Corpus Christi Watershed · Gabriel Lalemant on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Corpus Christi Watershed is a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to exploring and embodying as our calling the relationship of religion, culture, and the arts. This non-profit organization employs the creative media in service of theology, the Church, and Christian culture for the enrichment and enjoyment of the public.