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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

Silence and The Thoughts of His Heart

Richard J. Clark · June 19, 2020

HERE HAS BEEN been too much hurt and suffering in the world to express anything adequately in words. There is societal and personal pain, grief in the music world, challenge in our liturgical and sacramental life.

Our souls are hurting and in crisis.

I am reminded of the need for silence: “Music arises out of silence and returns to silence…The importance of silence in the Liturgy cannot be overemphasized. (§118. Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship)

I have no words.

I LEAVE YOU WITH TWO instrumental works upon which to meditate, first, an organ work based on the Introit to the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus: The Thoughts of His Heart.

The second is a four-movement meditation on Psalm 139 Fearfully and Wonderfully Made with Richard Kelley, trumpet. This work will be published with WLP/G.I.A. You’ll notice the Covid-19 spacing in our informal video.

Wishing you peace and love,
Richard



Fearfully & Wonderfully Made
I. Lord, You Have Searched Me
Psalm 139:1 Lord, you have searched me, you know me.



II. You Know When I Sit and When I Arise.
139:2 You know when I sit and when I arise; you know my thoughts, even from afar.



III. Where Can I Flee from Your Presence?
Psalm 139:7 Where can I run from your spirit or where can I flee from your presence? If I should go to the heavens, there you are; if I sleep in the depths, you are also there.



IV. I Am Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
Psalm 139:14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. All your works are wonderful; this I know full well.



Recorded at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Boston

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

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: June 26, 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

    A Nice Hymn In Spanish
    In my humble opinion, this is a really beautiful hymn in Spanish. If I practice diligently, I’ll be able to pronounce all the words properly. If you’re someone who’s interested in obtaining a melody only version (suitable for your congregational ORDER OF WORSHIP) you can steal that from this.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Music List” • 21st in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Our choir returns on Sunday, 24 August 2025. Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for it, which is the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the spectacular feasts website. When it comes to the feast of the Assumption (15 August 2025), I have uploaded the music list for that Mass—but not the “bi-lingual” Mass in the evening (Spanish, Latin, and English) which has completely different music.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Entrance Chant” • 21st Sunday Ordin. Time
    You can download the ENTRANCE ANTIPHON in English for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) which is coming up on 24 August 2025. Corresponding to the vocalist score is this free organ accompaniment. It’s set in a melancholy mode, but if you heard my choir’s female voices singing it your soul would be uplifted beyond belief. If you’re someone who enjoys rehearsal videos, this morning I tried to sing it while simultaneously accompanying my voice on the pipe organ.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    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
    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

Random Quote

“It is required of a man that he should share the passion and action of his time at peril of being judged not to have lived.”

— Oliver Wendell Holmes

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