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Views from the Choir Loft

“Stations of the Cross” • By Fulton J. Sheen

Jeff Ostrowski · March 1, 2020

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HOSE WHO TURN to the final pages of the Brébeuf Hymnal will discover three versions of the Stations of the Cross: one by Saint Alphonsus Liguori, one by Cardinal Ratzinger, and one by Fulton J. Sheen. The version by Sheen was published about 20 years before he was made a bishop; it was given IMPRIMATUR twice (!)—see the Brébeuf Hymnal for details. I have always loved listening to Fulton J. Sheen, and I love reading his books. As I grow older, I have begun to understand just how rare he was: Sheen was smart, eloquent, and wonderful.

Fulton J. Sheen • Stations of the Cross

Using my iPhone, I took photographs of the Brébeuf Hymnal printing of Father Sheen’s stations. The drop caps are gorgeous:


I use a purple “sticky note” so I can keep track of which verse we’re on—as I play and sing from the Brébeuf organ accompaniment:


The layout in the Brébeuf hymnal is elegant—there’s just no other word for it:

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The Brébeuf Hymnal is the only book I know which provides a literal translation (into English) of the “Stabat Mater Dolorosa,” as you can see:


If you look carefully at the Brébeuf footnote, you’ll notice something special:


The editors found a solution for something which has puzzled many authors with regard to Father Caswall’s translation: he begins in one meter but quickly switches to another, making it awkward to sing. The Brébeuf hymnal version begins with Caswall, but supplements it with other (magnificent) translations so that it can be sung well:


The organ accompaniment volumes conveniently print each verse, which has an interesting (unintended) result: it shows how closely the poet matched the meaning of the original Latin:


The organ edition also provides an (optional) lower key:

Here is a shot of the opening page, as it appears in the Brébeuf hymnal:

When the Most Reverend Joseph V. Brennan was dedicating our stations, he chose the version by Fulton J. Sheen. Toward the end, the bishop broke down and began to sob openly. It was very moving.

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

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Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Bishop Fulton J Sheen Last Updated: May 12, 2021

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About Jeff Ostrowski

Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004). He resides with his wife and children in Los Angeles.—(Read full biography).

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Quick Thoughts

    PDF • “For the Season of Pentecost”
    During the season of Pentecost, you might consider using this 2-page Piece “for the season of Pentecost.” Rehearsal videos are available at #40691, but the lyrics are different. Therefore, make sure your choir members understand that one can rehearse songs that have different lyrics (“CONTRAFACT”).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Introit • (This Coming Sunday)
    Our volunteer choir appreciates training videos, so here's my attempt at recording “Exáudi Dómine Vocem Meam,” which is the INTROIT for this coming Sunday. This coming Sunday is Dominica Post Ascensionem (“Sunday after the feast of the Ascension”). It is sung according to the official rhythm of the Catholic Church.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Volunteer Choir Attempts “Kýrie Eléison”
    My volunteer choir attempted the polyphonic KYRIE that will be sung at this year's Sacred Music Symposium. If you're interested, you can listen to the live recording from last Sunday. The piece is based on the ancient plainchant hymn melody: Ave Maris Stella. Polyphony like this is truly intricate and wonderful. It reminds me of the quote by Artur Schnabel: “music that's greater than it can be performed.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

Giovanni Doni is known for having changed the name of note “Ut,” renaming it “Do.” He convinced his contemporaries to make the change by arguing that 1) “Do” is easier to pronounce than “Ut,” and 2) “Do” is an abbreviation for “Dominus,” the Latin word for the Lord, Who is the tonic and root of the world. There is much academic speculation that Giovanni Doni also wanted to imprint himself into musical canon in perpetuity because “Do” is also ulteriorly an abbreviation for his family name.

— Giovanni Battista Doni died in 1647AD

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