A Traditional—But Bizarre!—Way To Assist At Mass
Just because I’m aware of something that happened in the past doesn’t mean I endorse it.
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Archives for January 2020
Two Reasons for Fewer Vocations
The marketing and commercialization of sacred music has had vastly mixed results, some positive, but some deleterious.
In Which a Neo-Pagan Converts
I could feel that this Glory was immense, and mysterious, and real. But I could not quite grasp what that meant for me or what I should even do about it.
“Performance” and the Liturgy.
I have sometimes been told that I was “performing” in the Liturgy, and this has made me think about the meaning of this term and why people say it…
Photos! • Brébeuf Choral Supplement Has Arrived
The Brébeuf hymnal collection is now complete—and it’s truly revolutionary!
Pothier’s 1906 “De Caetero” Letter • Two Translations
“The Catholic tradition cannot be that of any special school, either ancient or modern…” —Abbot Pothier
Mass with Masks in Hong Kong
I took a few pictures during our Sunday Mass…
Litany of St Joseph
The Litany of St Joseph in Latin chant with an English translation.
Anger at mistakes?
I have a bad habit of getting frustrated when choir members take a long time to learn a particular interval or entrance. But this can be “cured.” It was cured a few weeks ago, when I made a mistake. I was supposed to go down a minor third, but instead I went down a perfect […]
Photograph • Fr. Valentine w/ Composer Kevin Allen
Please keep Fr. Valentine in your prayers—thank you!
The Book of Kells Online
The Book of Kells, as well as 150,000 artworks housed in Parisian museums, can be freely viewed online.
“The old man carried the Child, but the Child led the old man.”
The Antiphon for First Vespers of the Feast of the Purification (February 2nd) is beautiful: “The old man carried the Child, but it was the Child who was guiding the old man. The Virgin bore the Child, and after child-bearing was virgin still: whom she bore, him she adored.” —Senex púerum portábat, puer autem senem […]
The Organ Postlude: Distraction, or Powerful Aid to Devotion?
The organ postlude is a powerful way to cultivate dispositions of rejoicing, thanksgiving, and awe before the greatness of God at the conclusion of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
Liturgy is the work of Christ and His Body, the Church.
When we consider the redemptive power of the Mass, our eyes, hearts, and minds are opened wide!
A quote from Fr. Valentine Young
I had one brother who was out of the church for quite a few years. When my mother was asked, “Did she worry about him?” I remember her answer: “I don’t worry about him; I just pray for him.” She left that in God’s hands. My mother did not live to see her son return […]
Extremely Rare! • 1908 Solesmes Graduale (PDF Download)
I’ve been searching for this book for twenty years! • For the first time in history, the Graduale Romanum from 1908 (with Solesmes rhythmic markings) has been scanned and uploaded • Includes copious and detailed information about the rhythm of the Editio Vaticana (“Vatican Edition”) you won’t find anywhere else+
“Theoricam practicamque”
In a book printed by Solesmes Abbey in 1902, “Kyrie Rex Genitor” is also called Theoricam practicamque. Can anyone explain why? And how does that translate into English? “Theoricam practicamque vitam regens Deus Pater.”
Here is Where We Go
What is absolutely necessary for the existence of a choral foundation?
Biography • William J. Fritz
William Fritz is a composer, pianist, organist, liturgical musician and director of music at St. John the Baptist Parish in Costa Mesa, CA.
This old holy card says it all…
For priests, it reads: “In memory of that day on which was given what is not given to angels—that I should offer God to God.”
PDF Download • “Lucis Creator Optime” (Vespers Hymn)
I followed the “Brébeuf hymnal method,” in which every verse is written out…
Comparison • “1909 Missal vs. 1999 Missal”
A picture is truly worth 1,000 words!
Fr. Valentine Young, OFM — R.I.P.
Father Valentine Young, OFM—a faithful Catholic priest—died on 17 January 2020 around 8:00am.
Roger Scruton, Magister Pulchritudinis
Sir Roger Scruton died January 12, 2020, leaving a mammoth legacy in the field of aesthetics.
Is It Time To Stop Singing The Propers?
I know how difficult it can be to introduce chant to a Novus Ordo parish.