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.”
My volunteer choir has felt the repercussions of this year’s (particularly severe) flu season. Nevertheless, I believe in always—always—giving one’s best as a choir director, even when many singers are absent. You can hear by this brief recording that our singers are starting to blend very nicely. And you can download that choral “warm-up” exercise […]
Have you marked your calendar for Sacred Music Symposium 2023? The dates were recently revealed. You don’t want to miss this! This annual event has gained a reputation as the church music conference par excellence vis-à-vis Catholic musicians “in the trenches.”
“I greatly appreciate your hospitality and willingness to engage in dialogue.” — Dom Concordia, OSB
A mother and her children open the 2022 edition of the “Campion Missal” and find it more compact and very beautiful. Initial impressions include new images, a golden ribbon, and a newly-textured cover.
A few further thoughts on what ways of singing chant are “allowed.”
“Does it make more sense to judge later manuscripts in light of the oldest sources, or to judge the oldest sources in light of later manuscripts?” —Patrick Williams
Including a few brief responses to Professor Charles Weaver.
By the Incarnation, our Savior’s divinity was hidden. In the Eucharist, according to Saint Thomas Aquinas, our Savior also ‘hides’ His manhood. We cannot see God—although we can see Him (through faith) in the SANCTISSIMUM, in the eyes of the poor, in the grandeur of the mountains, and so forth. Hymn #746 in the Brébeuf […]
Preparing this blog, I discovered interesting snippets about the hymn, the composer, the translator, and even the poet who penned these lines in Latin!
Ostrowski, wishing to avoid fussiness, may justifiably refuse this invitation. But to argue, as he has, that these signs and the prayerful and aesthetic movements they embody are “illicit” is just wildly off the mark.
The second half of today’s article answers questions submitted by Mr. Matthew Frederes.
Mr. Williams, today I challenge you (please) to provide direct responses for two questions.
You can evaluate my attempt to record this Sunday’s INTROIT according to the official rhythm of the Catholic Church. This INTROIT is very well known because it’s repeated over and over at the end of the year, depending on how many Sundays after Pentecost occur in a particular year.
Why declare that rhythmic signs are permitted if alteration of any kind is unacceptable? It doesn’t make any sense…
I will not insult your intelligence by telling you what I suspect happened.
The election of Pope Leo XIV has been exciting, and we’re filled with hope for our apostolate’s future!
But we’re under pressure to transfer our website to a “subscription model.”
We don’t want to do that. We believe our website should remain free to all.
Our president has written the following letter:
President’s Message (dated 30 May 2025)
