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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

    14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Our choir is on break during the month of July. However, on the feasts website, the chants have been posted for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C), which is this coming Sunday: 6 July 2025.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Bugnini’s Statement (6 November 1966)
    With each passing day, more is revealed about how the enemies of the liturgy accomplished their goals. For instance, Hannibal Bugnini deeply resented the way Vatican II said Gregorian Chant “must be given first place in liturgical services.” On 6 November 1966, his cadre wrote a letter attempting to justify the elimination of Gregorian Chant with this brazen statement: “What really gives a Mass its tone is not so much the songs as it is the prayers and readings.” Bugnini’s cadre then attacked the very heart of Gregorian Chant (viz. the Proprium Missae), bemoaning how the Proprium Missae “is completely new each Sunday and feast day.” There is much more to be said about this topic. Stay tuned.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Luis Martínez Must Go!
    Sevilla Cathedral (entry dated 13 December 1564): The chapter orders Luis Martínez, a cathedral chaplain, to stay away from the choirbook-stand when the rest of the singers gather around it to sing polyphony—the reason being that “he throws the others out of tune.” [Excerpt from “The Life of Father Francisco Guerrero.”]
    —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

“The replies to this committee (of which Mgr Bugnini was the secretary) reveal a desire to reform the liturgy. In what sense? Out of 2,109 responses from bishops, just three expressed the desire to restore Communion under both kinds. There was a sizable demand for limited use of the vernacular, but only one French bishop wanted the entire Mass in French.”

— Fr. Dominic Allain (2019)

Recent Posts

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  • Now Available! • “Hymns of Cardinal Newman: Kevin Allen’s Legendary Choral Settings”

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