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Views from the Choir Loft

“Let’s Not” . . . a small moment of reverence

Veronica Moreno · March 11, 2020

T IS ALWAYS THE SAME RESPONSE: “The Reverence.” When asked why we started going to the Traditional Latin Mass, we have a hard time putting this idea of “reverence” into words.

When holy priests celebrate the Ordinary Form to the best of their abilities, it is often very difficult to describe the difference in “reverence” when comparing it to the Extraordinary Form. But I think it’s in the custody of the eyes. It is hard to explain the contrast in “reverence” when there are no liturgical abuses or extreme examples of silliness. To our curious friends, we explain further, concede, and then qualify by adding that there is “more reverence” at the Extraordinary Form. We double down for emphasis, “It’s hard to describe, but there is a different kind of reverence.”

Here is a small moment to highlight that difference. Cardinal Dolan celebrating without any liturgical abuse, a deacon making a tiny mistake, parishoners adjusting. Technically nothing “wrong” with any of this according to the Ordinary Form. But why does this short video stop me in my tracks and make me feel despondent?

As I wrote this brief note today, Fr. David Friel posted this quote about custodia occulorum:

“By the raising of the eyes,
the celebrant, following the example
of our divine Lord, more expressly
directs his prayer of offering,
thanks, or petition to God;
and so his eyes are to be raised…
to the image of the Crucified.”

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

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Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: March 11, 2020

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About Veronica Moreno

Veronica Moreno is married to a teacher and homeschools five children. She has been cantor at her local Catholic parish for over a decade.—(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

    Vespers Booklet (4th Sunday of Lent)
    The organ accompaniment booklet (24 pages) which I created for the 4th Sunday of Lent (“Lætare Sunday”) may now be downloaded, for those who desire such a thing.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Vespers Booklet, 3rd Sunday of Lent
    The organ accompaniment I created for the 3rd Sunday of Lent (“Extraordinary Form”) may now be downloaded, if anyone is interested in this.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Weeping For Joy! (We Hope!)
    Listening to this Easter Alleluia—an SATB arrangement I made twenty years ago based on the work of Monsignor Jules Van Nuffel—one of our readers left this comment: “I get tears in my eyes each time I sing to this hymn.” I hope this person is weeping for joy!
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“Now we are aware of the fact that during recent years some artists, gravely offending against Christian piety, have dared to bring into churches works devoid of any religious inspiration and completely at variance with the right rules of art.”

— Ven. Pope Pius XII (25 December 1955)

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