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Views from the Choir Loft

The Magnificat Institute of Sacred Music

Fr. David Friel · June 9, 2019

OLLOWING the implementation of the Roman Missal, third edition, in English in 2011, a flurry of “Mass settings” were published. Some are good, many are bad. Among the worst are those compositions which rehash previously existing settings, simply force-fitting the new texts into old wineskins. Among the best is the Mass of St. Philip Neri by Paul Jernberg (available from the composer’s own website).

Jernberg serves as executive director of the Magnificat Institute of Sacred Music, which has recently launched a new website. The goal of the site is to offer resources to those responsible for sacred music in parishes and other communities. These resources include new repertoire along with opportunities for ongoing formation and inspiration. In time, the Institute plans to offer one-day seminars, weeklong workshops, and even consulting services in support of their vision for a four-pronged approach to the renewal of sacred music: theoretical, practical, spiritual, and apostolic.

Based in Lancaster, MA, the Institute began a new phase in 2018. Its history, however, stretches back to the 2005 founding of Magnificat Academy, formerly a choir school for grades 4–12 in Warren, MA. The academy was transferred to the Cathedral of St. Paul in Worcester in 2008. Then, from 2011 until 2017, it shifted its focus to supporting sacred music projects by means of collaboration with various schools and institutions. This re-founding as the Magnificat Institute of Sacred Music, therefore, is exciting news.

OME of the strengths of Jernberg’s Mass of St. Philip Neri include its flexibility, accessibility to congregations, and musical interest. It can be sung unaccompanied with SATB choir, or it can be sung in unison with organ accompaniment.

Check out this 2014 recording of the setting’s Gloria, sung by the schola cantorum of St. Peter the Apostle Church in Chicago under the direction of J. Michael Thompson:


Jernberg’s bio is available here.

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: ICEL New Translation of the Roman Missal, Paul Jernberg, Roman Missal Third Edition Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Fr. David Friel

Ordained in 2011, Father Friel is a priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and serves as Director of Liturgy at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary. —(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Bugnini’s Statement (6 November 1966)
    With each passing day, more is revealed about how the enemies of the liturgy accomplished their goals. For instance, Hannibal Bugnini deeply resented the way Vatican II said Gregorian Chant “must be given first place in liturgical services.” On 6 November 1966, his cadre wrote a letter attempting to justify the elimination of Gregorian Chant with this brazen statement: “What really gives a Mass its tone is not so much the songs as it is the prayers and readings.” Bugnini’s cadre then attacked the very heart of Gregorian Chant (viz. the Proprium Missae), bemoaning how the Proprium Missae “is completely new each Sunday and feast day.” There is much more to be said about this topic. Stay tuned.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Luis Martínez Must Go!
    Sevilla Cathedral (entry dated 13 December 1564): The chapter orders Luis Martínez, a cathedral chaplain, to stay away from the choirbook-stand when the rest of the singers gather around it to sing polyphony—the reason being that “he throws the others out of tune.” [Excerpt from “The Life of Father Francisco Guerrero.”]
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Urgent! • We Desperately Need Funds!
    A few days ago, the president of Corpus Christi Watershed posted this urgent appeal for funds. Please help us make sure we’re never forced to place our content behind a paywall. We feel it’s crucial that 100% of our content remains free to everyone. We’re a tiny 501(c)3 public charity, entirely dependent upon the generosity of small donors. We have no endowment and no major donors. We run no advertisements and have no savings. We beg you to consider donating $4.00 per month. Thank you!
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Pope Pius XII Hymnal?
    Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Hybrid” Chant Notation?
    Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Antiphons Don’t Match?
    A reader wants to know why the Entrance and Communion antiphons in certain publications deviate from what’s prescribed by the GRADUALE ROMANUM published after Vatican II. Click here to read our answer. The short answer is: the Adalbert Propers were never intended to be sung. They were intended for private Masses only (or Masses without music). The “Graduale Parvum,” published by the John Henry Newman Institute of Liturgical Music in 2023, mostly uses the Adalbert Propers—but sometimes uses the GRADUALE text: e.g. Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (29 June).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

I am convinced that if the Church is to prosper in the present age, it cannot hesitate to embrace and support traditional Catholics, traditional liturgies and traditional moral values. “Do not conform yourself to this age,” St. Paul warned followers of Christ. (Rom 12:2)

— Most Rev. Thomas Tobin, Bishop of Providence (12 August 2022)

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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.

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