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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

“Homily — 1st Sunday of Advent, Year B” • Father Valentine Young, OFM

Jeff Ostrowski · November 24, 2020

The following is by Father Valentine Young, OFM, a faithful Catholic priest who died on 17 January 2020. It was delivered sometime between 2013 and 2020. To learn more about Father Valentine, please scroll to the bottom of the page.

1st Sunday of Advent, Year B

*  PDF Download • READINGS IN ENGLISH
—Taken from the Saint Isaac Jogues Illuminated Missal, Gradual, and Lectionary.

OU ARE PROBABLY aware that the word ADVENT means “a coming toward” or “an arrival at.” That is why the word ADVENT is used to designate this period of the year to prepare us for “The Coming” of Christ into our hearts. And many people think this is also done to prepare for the commemoration or re-enactment of Christ’s coming, as He did when He was born as an infant in Bethlehem now over two thousand years ago.

Various comings: And this is true. However, when we examine the liturgical texts which the Church presents to us during this period, we find that a lot more is implied than just Christ’s FIRST COMING on the first Christmas. There are two other “advents” of which the Church tries to remind us. There is Christ’s coming to us personally as individuals. For us personally, this is the most important coming. It implies that we are in the state of grace, for that is the most important ingredient of Christ’s coming. We know that we cannot get to heaven without it. And then there is given us the reminder about Christ coming at the end of time. This, too, will be an important moment in our lives. (In the Traditional liturgy we heard about this coming last Sunday, as well.)

A summary: When we sum up what I have said, one can see that the season of Advent really involves a threefold coming of Christ:

(1) Christ’s birth in Bethlehem over two thousand years ago;

(2) Christ coming to us individually or personally;

(3) Christ, as he will come at the end of the world.

The Church’s liturgy—especially in its Masses and Divine Office for the holy season of Advent—reminds us of all three comings.

The Gospel: In today’s Gospel reading, our Lord ends His parable by saying: “Watch, therefore; you do not know when the lord of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning.” All of us are now closer to our moment of death than we were last year or in any time in the past. Is there anything going on in our lives that we would be embarrassed about, if we were to die soon?

Doing more: Is there anything more that we could do to show that God is important in our lives? Many years ago I recall seeing a movie about the life of St. Vincent de Paul. On his death-bed he told some of his followers who were gathered around him: “We can never say we have done enough for God; we always have to be willing to do more.” And I think this is especially true for faithful followers of Christ now when they see the Church—Christ’s Kingdom on earth—so plagued with difficulties, especially now with difficulties from right within the Church. During this coming year, are we going to be satisfied with just doing what we have always done? I don’t think that will cut it when we consider the current condition of the world and the Church. If we are not the ones to do more praying and sacrifice, then who will it be? +

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: SERMON 01 Advent B, Valentine Young SERMON Last Updated: November 24, 2020

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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 Michigan. —(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    PDF Download • Draft Copy (Pamphlet)
    A few days ago, I posted a draft copy of this 12-page pamphlet with citations about the laity’s “full, conscious, and active participation.” Its basic point is that choir directors should never feel embarrassed to teach real choral music; Vatican II explicitly ordered them to do precisely that! We’ve received tons of mail regarding that pamphlet, with many excellent suggestions for improvement. Please feel free to chime in!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Entrance Chant” • 23rd (Ordinary Time)
    This coming Sunday, 7 September 2025, is the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). You can download the “Entrance Chant,” conveniently located at the feasts website. I also recorded a rehearsal video for it (freely available at the same website). The Communion Chant includes gorgeous verses in FAUXBOURDON. I attempted to create a rehearsal video for it, and it’s been posted at the feasts website, called by some: “church music’s best kept secret.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • 3 September
    According to the MISSALE RECENS, the Feast of Saint Gregory the Great occurs on 3 September (the date Gregory became pope). Formerly, his feast was celebrated during Lent, on 12 March (the day Gregory died). In Latin, the feast is: Die 3 Septembris: S. Gregorii Magni, papæ et Ecclesiæ doctoris. you can download the Latin Introit, the Latin Offertory, as well as the Communion with gorgeous fauxbordon in English. Abbat Joseph Pothier—along with Dom André Mocquereau, Bishop Laurent Janssens, Father De Santi, and other Gregorian superstars—sang with a choir of 1,210 voices (from 36 different Roman colleges) under the direction of Monsignor Antonio Rella. That Mass included the “Alma cohors,” a special SEQUENCE for Saint Gregory…much to the dismay of those who believe in strict adherence to rubrics. The Mass on 11 April 1904 was celebrated by Pope Saint Pius X, at the great GREGORIAN CONGRESS held in Rome “to mark the 13th Centenary of the death of Saint Gregory the Great.” Someday, there’s much I’d love to say about this congress. We even have recordings (!) from it (made in 1904 by the Gramophone Company) with choirs conducted by Dom Pothier, Dom Mocquereau, Dom Janssens, Monsignor Rella, Baron Kanzler, and others.
    —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

“The modern human being, wearied by the noisy and hectic life, through an attentive listening can find in church a restful peace which is the springboard for true prayer.”

— Dr. Joseph Lennards (1966)

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