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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

35 Children Chanting “Sálve Regína” From Memory

Julie Huebner · December 10, 2024

HE AFTERNOON that Mr. Ostrowski encouraged me to contribute an article for CORPUS CHRISTI WATERSHED, I thought: “What on earth do I have to contribute that would be of value to those far more experienced than I am?” As I was sitting in my office collecting my thoughts, nestled in a quiet suburban parish of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, my colleague walked into my office asking if I’d read a certain article in the newspaper. The article in question spoke about the Catholic Church in Milwaukee, how some suburban parishes were combining, and pontificated about how “oh, obviously the Church is dying” (I am paraphrasing).

My Confirmation • This made me think back to a letter my brother wrote to me years ago. It was for a retreat I was attending in preparation to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. He wrote: “The Catholic Church has been around for over 2,000 years and is no stranger to adversity. There are those who want to tear it down, belittle it, ostracize it, and so forth.” But he explained that my reception of this Sacrament was part of my preparation to bear the burden against adversity, take up the Cross, and continue the walk to keep the Faith alive.

My Aerial View • Over time, buildings will disappear and congregations will consolidate. However, from my aerial view in the choir loft, I feel an overwhelming sense of vibrancy and growth. My school choir had sung for their school Mass earlier that same day. Listen to them as they chant the Sálve Regína during the Post-Communion:

Here’s the direct URL link.

A Stronghold • Thirty-five children chanting Sálve Regína from memory shows a promising outlook—at least for me—about the current pulse and future life of the Church. Through the songs of their praise, God is establishing a stronghold in my parish to silence any enemies (Psalm 8). I am blessed to work with children every day that help shoulder the burden and make my cross feel lighter as we all walk together.

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

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: December 10, 2024

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About Julie Huebner

Julie earned degrees at Luther College and Southern Illinois University. With her husband and three children, she resides in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.—(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    “Music List” • 19th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I prepared for the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time (10 August 2025). 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 feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    This Sunday’s Communion Antiphon
    This coming Sunday—10 August 2025—is the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). The COMMUNION ANTIPHON is really gorgeous, and two of its features are worth mentioning. First of all, the Gospel reading assigned is from Saint Luke, whereas the the antiphon—although it matches the account—comes from Saint Matthew. (If anyone can point to a similar example, please notify me.) Furthermore, if you look at the authentic Gregorian Chant version posted on the feasts website, you’ll notice that it’s MODE III but ends on the ‘wrong’ note. A comparable instance of such a ‘transposed’ chant would be KYRIE IV.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Using “Ye” Vs. “You” Correctly
    Using “Ye” vs. “You” is rather tricky, because it depends upon which era one is trying to recreate—if that makes any sense. In other words, the rules haven’t always been the same for these two. Nevertheless, Father Philip George Caraman (the legendary Jesuit scholar) gives us a masterclass using Saint Luke’s Gospel. Father Caraman was close friends with Monsignor Ronald Knox, Evelyn Waugh, and Sir Alec Guinness.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    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
    Antiphons Don’t Match?
    A reader wants to know why the Entrance and Communion antiphons in certain publications deviate from what’s prescribed by the GRADUALE ROMANUM published after Vatican II. Click here to read our answer. The short answer is: the Adalbert Propers were never intended to be sung. They were intended for private Masses only (or Masses without music). The “Graduale Parvum,” published by the John Henry Newman Institute of Liturgical Music in 2023, mostly uses the Adalbert Propers—but sometimes uses the GRADUALE text: e.g. Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (29 June).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“It is also customary in many lands that a brief but meaningful hymn be sung between the Gospel and the sermon. (I note in passing that this custom also preserves the original and primary function of the medieval congregational hymn, which was to frame the sermon.)”

— Professor László Dobszay (2003)

Recent Posts

  • Is this what the new “Youth Mass” looks like?
  • “Music List” • 19th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
  • This Sunday’s Communion Antiphon
  • Using “Ye” Vs. “You” Correctly
  • Installment #3 • “Serious Problems with the Lectionary Translation”

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