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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

Newman on Liturgy

Fr. David Friel · December 1, 2019

ALL HAS been a busy season in the Church, particularly with respect to new saints. October featured the canonization of St. John Henry Newman, and December brings the beatification of Bl. Fulton Sheen. These are wonderful occasions of grace, in which all the people of God rejoice.

Newman is a giant of Catholic thought, and the sacred liturgy was central to his life. The theology of the liturgy, however, does not figure prominently in his writings. Even so, is there anything that can be gleaned on the topic from within Newman’s corpus?

This question has recently been expertly addressed by Oratorian Father Uwe Michael Lang, a liturgical scholar and parish priest at Brompton Oratory in London. In an article in the November 2019 issue of Adoremus Bulletin, Fr. Lang gives an excellent survey of the points of contact existing between Newman and the liturgy. 1 Lang’s article is available in full on the Adoremus website.

Another excellent resource for understanding Newman’s approach to the liturgy is a newly published book, entitled John Henry Newman on Worship, Reverence, and Ritual: A Selection of Texts. Edited by Dr. Peter Kwasniewski, this anthology collects over 500 pages of more than 70 texts that manifest Newman’s understanding of liturgy. Newman on Worship is available here.

Concerning Newman’s liturgical legacy, one thing I would add is that his greatest poem—the Dream of Gerontius, available here—is set in a liturgical framework. The poem quotes generously from the rite for commendation of the dying, including the magnificent Profiscere prayer, which dates at least to the 8th century and remains in use today. One suspects that the scene recounted in the poem reflects, in part, St. John Henry Newman’s own pastoral experience.

Newman’s contributions to the Church are vast. Two small items that have previously been featured here on Views from the Choir Loft include Newman’s prayer before Mass and his thoughts on preaching. Both are worth another look, as our celebration of his canonization continues.




NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1   Uwe Michael Lang, “‘The Most Joyful Ordinance of the Gospel’: Saint John Henry Newman on the Liturgy,” Adoremus Bulletin 25, no. 3 (November 2019): 1 and 4.

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman 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

    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

If it is the explicit will of the Council that the faithful are to be able to sing the “Gloria” or the “Credo” together in Latin [which it is] then indirectly there is being expressed here the obligation of regularly celebrating Mass with Latin Gregorian chant. And not merely occasionally, but with such frequency and constancy as to make the singing of these Latin texts a genuine possession of the faithful.

— Heinrich Flatten, Apostolic Protonotary & Canon Law Professor (Bonn)

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