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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

O Sacred Heart, On Earth Thou Art An Exile’s Rest

Veronica Moreno · June 13, 2020

S OUR SCHOOL YEAR comes to an end, we slow down our academic endeavors but never fully stop enjoying the feast that is truth, goodness, and beauty. One of the delicacies that remains throughout the summer months is our hymn/chant study and this month we have chosen to learn “O Sacred Heart” and “Ave Verum Corpus.”

The month of June is dedicated to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, which is quite fitting for these times. This past week, the Church also celebrated the Feast of Corpus Christi. “The feast of Corpus Christi was proposed by St. Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church, to Pope Urban IV in order to create a feast focused solely on the Holy Eucharist, emphasizing the joy of the Eucharist being the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ.” 1

O Sacred Heart

The hymn, “O Sacred Heart,” was written by Francis Stanfield (1835-1914), an English Catholic priest, who worked in Westminster. He is known for writing many hymns. He was the son a landscape artist and was friends with Charles Dickens (a fun fact my daughter enjoyed!). The hymn is set to a tune by Sir Richard R. Terry, a musicologist, who after his conversion to Catholicism, “began the massively important work of reviving the Latin music of Tudor English composers such as William Byrd and Thomas Tallis.” 2


The sheet music can be found in “The Westminster Hymnal” 3 and my children picked up the tune quickly. When reading through the verses, before listening to the hymn, I asked my children to reflect on the first verse:

O Sacred Heart!
Our home lies deep in Thee.
On earth Thou art an exile’s rest,
In heaven the glory of the blest,
O Sacred Heart!

We discussed the word ‘exile’ and they gave me many examples of people they had read about who had been banished, which included: Adam and Eve, the Earl of Kent (from King Lear), and Benedict Arnold. I then asked them to re-read the verse and tell me who were the ‘exiles’ referenced in the lyrics. The conversation that followed covered heaven, hell, our true home, and what can keep us from getting there. It was a wonderful opportunity to use such a beautiful hymn to discuss the theological complexities of our Faith.

Ave Verum Corpus

In addition to a hymn, we study a chant. This month, in honor of the Feast of Corpus Christi, we are learning “Ave Verum Corpus.” The melody is hauntingly beautiful. This Eucharistic chant was sung during the elevation of the host at Mass during the Middle Ages. There are many musical settings of this piece, but most are familiar with Mozart’s.

Hail, true Body born
of Mary the Virgin.
Truly suffering, sacrificed
on the cross for man;
from Whose pierced side
flowed water and blood.
Be to us a foretaste
at death’s trial,
O sweet Jesus, O loving Jesus,
O Jesus, Son of Mary.

 

Once again, we read the words in English, before listening to the chant, and I asked my children to focus on the line: “Be to us a foretaste at death’s trial.” I left the discussion open and asked what they thought about that line. My daughter immediately shouted, “Its like heaven on earth!” And from that starting point, the conversation began. After talking, we went through a few of the Latin words to continue to build up our vocabulary and then I sang the chant for them three times before they attempted to join in.

When the children are familiar with “Ave Verum Corpus” it would be a great idea to have them listen to one or two other versions (Mozart, Lizst, Byrd, Lassus, etc.) and compare and contrast the pieces. This is a great exercise in listening and a chance to introduce them to the feast of beautiful sacred music the world has to offer!

Throughout the month of June we will continue to sing the hymn and chant everyday after our morning rosary, in addition to singing them on the Feast of Corpus Christi and the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

In all honesty, like many forms of music that “stick”, I have caught my children belting these songs as they play “Mass”, stomp through the house, or do their vacuuming chores. May these melodies “stick” in their hearts into adult-hood.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.



NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1   For a brief overview of the feast of Corpus Christi, go here.

2   For more on Sir Richard Runciman Terry, go here.

3   You can download the New Westminster Hymnal at this link.

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

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Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: New Westminster Hymnal Last Updated: June 13, 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

President’s Corner

    New Bulletin Article • “21 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 21 September 2025) discusses some theological items—supported by certain verses in ancient Catholic hymns—and ends by explaining why certain folks become delirious with jealousy when they observe feats by Monsignor Ronald Knox.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Cheap! Cheap! Cheap!
    It’s always amusing to see old diocesan newspapers—in huge capital letters—advertising the Cheapest Catholic Paper in the United States. The correspondent who sent this to me added: “I can think of certain composers, published by large companies in our own day, who could truthfully brag about the most tawdry compositions in the world!” I wonder what she could have meant by such a cryptic comment…
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    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

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

“Who dreamed on that day that within a few years, far less than a decade, the Latin past of the Church would be all but expunged, that it would be reduced to a memory fading into the middle distance? The thought of it would have horrified us, but it seemed so far beyond the realm of the possible as to be ridiculous. So we laughed it off.”

— Archbishop Dwyer of Portland (26-Oct-1973)

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