• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

“What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too…” Pope Benedict XVI (7 July 2007)

  • Our Team
  • Pew Resources
    • Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal
    • Jogues Illuminated Missal
    • Campion Missal, 3rd Edition
  • MUSICAL WEBSITES
    • René Goupil Gregorian Chant
    • Noël Chabanel Psalms
    • Nova Organi Harmonia (2,279 pages)
    • Lalemant Polyphonic
    • Saint Antoine Daniel KYRIALE
  • Miscellaneous
    • Site Map
    • Emporium Kevin Allen
    • Roman Missal, 3rd Edition
    • Saint Jean de Lalande Library
    • Sacred Music Symposium 2023
  • Donate
Views from the Choir Loft

Breaking! • Cardinal Cupich Bans “Hail, Mary” Prayer

Jeff Ostrowski · August 27, 2021

N THE CHURCH of Saint Joseph (Libertyville, Illinois), Archbishop Blase J. Cupich has banned the HAIL MARY (“Angelic Salutation”) from being prayed after Mass is over. We are not aware of any Church legislation which prohibits saying the “Hail, Mary” after Mass, but Cardinal Cupich seems not to care. Indeed, pretty much anything can be done after Mass is over: A Hymn; An Organ Postlude; A Prayer; and so forth. Cardinal Cupich has also ordered an end to praying the “Saint Michael the Archangel Prayer” after Mass:

The Jesuit Martyrs of North America—Saint Isaac Jogues, Saint Noël Chabanel, Saint Jean de Brébeuf, Saint Gabriel Lalemant, Saint Charles Garnier, Saint Antoine Daniel, Saint René Goupil, and Saint Jean de Lalande—had a tremendous devotion to Our Lady, the Blessed Virgin Mary. They dedicated their main mission to her: “Sault Sainte Marie.” Mary, the mother of God, is very powerful. This action on the part of Cardinal Cupich seems a huge mistake. Meanwhile, we are not aware of any statement by Cardinal Cupich condemning things like this:

And why is something like this (see below) allowed in the Archdiocese of Chicago?

UPDATE (28 August 2021):

There appears to be some form of “damage control” underway.

(1) From the Catholic News Agency we read: “CNA asked Torres-Fuentes in an email who gave him the directive to cease the Prayer to St. Michael and the Hail Mary after Mass, but received no response.” Furthermore, the Archdiocese has not responded to CNS request for dialogue.

(2) The Pastor issued a statement suggesting that perhaps the HAIL MARY (and Saint Michael Prayer) had become “an imposition on the rest of the faithful in the Church who have a right to remain at the end of Mass to pray privately as they wish.” But this doesn’t seem to make any sense because those two prayers are incredibly brief. Moreover, no liturgical book guarantees this alleged “right to remain at the end of Mass to pray privately as they wish.”

(3) The Pastor also said: “In accord with sound liturgical practice and in keeping with archdiocesan norms, which I personally confirmed with the Cardinal, the recitation of prayers must never interfere with, interrupt or distract from the public liturgy of the Church.” But this cannot apply here, because we are talking about something that happens when Mass is already finished.

(4) The Novus Ordo includes numerous spots where the priest is allowed to “improvise” (according to the official rubrics). But there is nothing that speaks to what happens after Mass is already over. Contrary to what the Pastor said, the “public liturgy of the Church” does not include the time after Mass is already finished.

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

Follow the Discussion on Facebook

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Archbishop Blase J Cupich, Hail Mary Prayer Banned, St Michael Prayer Banned Last Updated: August 29, 2021

Subscribe

It greatly helps us if you subscribe to our mailing list!

* indicates required

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 Los Angeles.—(Read full biography).

Primary Sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

    PDF • “For General Use Until Advent”
    If you conduct a volunteer choir, you might consider using this Simple Piece #40273 (“Adésto Sáncta Trínitas”) which can be used during the rest of the liturgical season until Advent. It's based on the well known hymn tune: OLD HUNDREDTH. Rehearsal videos are available at #40691. A live recording of #40273 (“Adésto Sáncta Trínitas”) by a volunteer choir is here (#40065).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Introit • (This Coming Sunday)
    Our volunteer choir appreciates training videos, so here's my attempt at recording “Exáudi Dómine Vocem Meam,” which is the INTROIT for this coming Sunday. This coming Sunday is Dominica Post Ascensionem (“Sunday after the feast of the Ascension”). It is sung according to the official rhythm of the Catholic Church.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Volunteer Choir Attempts “Kýrie Eléison”
    My volunteer choir attempted the polyphonic KYRIE that will be sung at this year's Sacred Music Symposium. If you're interested, you can listen to the live recording from last Sunday. The piece is based on the ancient plainchant hymn melody: Ave Maris Stella. Polyphony like this is truly intricate and wonderful. It reminds me of the quote by Artur Schnabel: “music that's greater than it can be performed.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“We must say it plainly: the Roman rite as we knew it exists no more. It has gone. Some walls of the structure have fallen, others have been altered—we can look at it as a ruin or as the partial foundation of a new building. Think back, if you remember it, to the Latin sung High Mass with Gregorian chant. Compare it with the modern post-Vatican II Mass. It is not only the words, but also the tunes and even certain actions that are different. In fact it is a different liturgy of the Mass.”

— Fr. Joseph Gelineau (1978)

Recent Posts

  • “Reverent Catholic Mass Finder” (Website)
  • Powerful Images • “Father John Brébeuf”
  • “Best & Worst Responses” • This Survey Was Responded To By 300+ Church Musicians
  • “Offertory Verses and Why You Should Sing Them” (Includes PDF Download)
  • “Colorado Sacred Music Conference” August 9-10 (2023) • Highlands Ranch, CO

Subscribe

Subscribe

* indicates required

Copyright © 2023 Corpus Christi Watershed · Isaac Jogues on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Corpus Christi Watershed is a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to exploring and embodying as our calling the relationship of religion, culture, and the arts. This non-profit organization employs the creative media in service of theology, the Church, and Christian culture for the enrichment and enjoyment of the public.