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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

If you are having a bad day, this is what it means

Richard J. Clark · April 24, 2020

F YOU are having a bad day—if you are having a bad week…no—revise that—if you are having a rough year, here is what it means: It means you are human. It means you have a heart. It means you feel deeply. It means you are connected with your loved ones and fellow human beings. It means you are mourning and in grief. It means you are quite normal.

If you struggle now, you love deeply. In turn, know you are loved deeply. I hope you know and feel this. More importantly, God wants you to know this.

This is not to discount nor minimize serious suffering, much that is chronic, much that was ongoing. Cancer treatments continue. The loss of loved ones continue. Challenges great and small go on as before. The current pandemic “piles on” to a life that with certainty delivers challenge and pain, but also joy and love.

TODAY I SAW what I took as a reminder that of hope. Just outside the front steps of our house was a blooming yellow flower. But this flower was growing out in the cracks between rock and concrete. Yet it blooms.

If nothing else, it made me smile, reminding me that in placing our trust in God we will blossom even harsh conditions.

MEANWHILE, IT HAS NOT felt much like the Easter Season, nor like Spring bringing new life. No congregation, so choir, no ordinations of several new priests in a few weeks, and a canceled choir tour. I caught myself looking for a purple tie for a televised Mass. It still feels like Lent.

But instead of counting loss, a sense of gratitude is heightened. I am ever more grateful for work, simple opportunities, health, friends, family, and abundance of love. Eyes are opened to ongoing blessings and gifts from God. This is not loss but awakening to renewed life!

TODAY, WE CARRY A COMMON CROSS. This is in addition to many other heavy crosses you likely are already carrying. As Simon helped Jesus, we help each other. God knows your troubles as he has searched you, and he knows you.

I often find Psalm 139 a great source of comfort and reassurance. Here is a recording from the Cathedral of the Holy Cross with Richard Kelley, trumpet performing a meditation on Psalm 139: 1 “Lord, you have searched me, you know me.” There is grief. There is joy.

GRIEF AND SUFFERING often have one searching for meaning. From the Office of Readings from the Proslogion by Saint Anselm, bishop:

My soul, have you found what you are looking for? You were looking for God, and you have discovered that he is the supreme being, and that you could not possibly imagine anything more perfect. You have discovered that this supreme being is life itself, light, wisdom, goodness, eternal blessedness and blessed eternity. He is everywhere, and he is timeless.

Oremus pro invicem
Let us pray for each other.

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

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: April 24, 2020

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About Richard J. Clark

Richard J. Clark is the Director of Music of the Archdiocese of Boston and the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.—(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    “What Martin Luther Said…”
    My pastor asked me to write little columns for the bulletin each week. The article for 20 July 2025 has been posted, and it’s called: “What Luther Said…” Martin Luther (an ex-priest and apostate) was an infamous heretic whose ignorance of JESUS CHRIST was only exceeded by his filthy and disgusting vulgarity.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Music List” • 15th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I prepared for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (13 July 2025). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and propers for this Sunday are also provided at the the feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    This coming Sunday—13 July 2025—is the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). All the chants have been conveniently assembled and posted at the feasts website. The OFFERTORY, Ad Te Levávi, is particularly beautiful.
    —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

“It would be a grave error to imagine that the principle orientation of the sacrificial action is towards the community. If the priest celebrates «VERSUS POPULUM», which is legitimate and often advisable, his spiritual attitude ought always to be «VERSUS DEUM PER JESUM CHRISTUM», as representative of the entire Church.”

— Official Vatican Statement (25 September 2000)

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