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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

Feast of Life • Two Thomas Aquinas Texts for SATB • GIA Publications

Richard J. Clark · April 26, 2025

RECENT RELEASE from GIA Publications, Inc., Feast of Life features another of  my collaborations with hymn writer, composer, and organist, Alan. J. Hommerding. Feast of Life sets two Aquinas texts, both translated by Hommerding into in English: O Sacrum Convivium/O Great, Sacred Feast of Life and Ecce Panis Angelorum/Bread of Angels. With degrees in theology, theory, and music, Hommerding served as Senior Editor of World Library Publications. In 2019 he was awarded “Distinguished Catholic Music Composer of the Year” by the Association of Catholic Publishers.

** Feast of Life,  is available in print or PDF download here.

In the publication, Hommerding writes of his treatment of O Sacrum Convivium • O Great, Sacred Feast of Life: “…[T]he past (Christ’s Passion), present (our eucharistic celebration), and future (the heavenly banquet) dimensions of the sacrament are concisely presented. This translation is one I refer to as a ‘singing’ translation, in that its preservation of the syllable count/stress of the Latin text is an essential consideration, along with conveying the meaning of the text.”

Listen here to a recording conducted by Dr. Alfred Calabrese and sung by the Saint Rita Choir, Dallas Texas. (This was recorded during rehearsal. The St Rita Choir wears robes at Mass.)

 

Ecce Panis Angelorum • Bread of Angels: Of this text Hommerding writes: “Like many of the lengthier eucharistic texts of St. Thomas Aquinas, this one is a shorter excerpt from his Lauda, Sion Salvatorem, currently used as the Sequence on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ…The words guide us to our “forever feasting,” when we will share this heavenly bread with the angels.

Listen here to a recording performed by the Boston Cathedral Singers, Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Boston

 

HERE IS another Hommerding / Clark collaboration, a concertato on Lift High the Cross, (also available with GIA here) Hommerding wrote two sets of verses for Triduum and Discipleship while retaining the original refrain by George W. Kitchin. This video s courtesy of The Catholic TV Network from the Chrism Mass (2024) at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Boston.

 

FINALLY, ENJOY THIS FREE download of Communion Antiphons for Ordinary Time  • 238 pages!

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

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: April 26, 2025

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About Richard J. Clark

Richard J. Clark is the Director of Music of the Archdiocese of Boston and the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.—(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    New Bulletin Article • “21 September 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 21 September 2025) discusses some theological items—supported by certain verses in ancient Catholic hymns—and ends by explaining why certain folks become delirious with jealousy when they observe feats by Monsignor Ronald Knox.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Cheap! Cheap! Cheap!
    It’s always amusing to see old diocesan newspapers—in huge capital letters—advertising the Cheapest Catholic Paper in the United States. The correspondent who sent this to me added: “I can think of certain composers, published by large companies in our own day, who could truthfully brag about the most tawdry compositions in the world!” I wonder what she could have meant by such a cryptic comment…
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • Dom Murray Harmonies
    Along with so many others, I have deep respect for Dom Gregory Gregory Murray, who produced this clever harmonization (PDF) of “O SANCTISSIMA.” It’s always amazed me that Dom Gregory—a truly inspired composer—was so confused when it came to GREGORIAN CHANT. Throughout his life, he published contradictory statements, veering back-and-forth like a weather vane. Toward the end of his life, he declared: “I see clearly that the need for reform in liturgical music arose, not in the 18th and 19th centuries, but a thousand years earlier—in the 8th and 9th centuries, or even before that. The abuses began, not with Mozart and Haydn, but with those over-enthusiastic medieval musicians who developed the elaborate and flamboyant Gregorian Chant.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Karl Keating • “Canonization Questions”
    We were sent an internet statement (screenshot) that’s garnered significant attention, in which KARL KEATING (founder of Catholic Answers) speaks about whether canonizations are infallible. Mr. Keating seems unaware that canonizations are—in the final analysis—a theological opinion. They are not infallible, as explained in this 2014 article by a priest (with a doctorate in theology) who worked for multiple popes. Mr. Keating says: “I’m unaware of such claims arising from any quarter until several recent popes disliked by these Traditionalists were canonized, including John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul II. Usually Paul VI receives the most opprobrium.” Mr. Keating is incorrect; e.g. Father John Vianney, several centuries ago, taught clearly that canonizations are not infallible. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen would be another example, although clearly much more recent than Saint John Vianney.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Vatican II Changed Wedding Propers?
    It’s often claimed that the wedding propers were changed after Vatican II. As a matter of fact, that is a false claim. The EDITIO VATICANA propers (Introit: Deus Israel) remained the same after Vatican II. However, a new set of propers (Introit: Ecce Deus) was provided for optional use. The same holds true for the feast of Pope Saint Gregory the Great on 3 September: the 1943 propers (Introit: Si díligis me) were provided for optional use, but the traditional PROPRIA MISSAE (Introit: Sacerdótes Dei) were retained; they weren’t gotten rid of. The Ordo Cantus Missae (1970) makes this crystal clear, as does the Missal itself. There was an effort made in the post-conciliar years to eliminate so-called “Neo-Gregorian” chants, but (contrary to popular belief) most were retained: cf. the feast of Christ the King, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, and so forth.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    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

Random Quote

Saint Phillip Neri founded a religious congregation called the Oratory. Animuccia was involved from early on and remained “maestro di capella” of the Oratory until his death. The Oratory was able to attract many musicians who volunteered their services, including the famous singer Francesco Soto de Langa from the Capella Sistina, the composer Palestrina, and probably the composer Tomás Luis de Victoria who lived in the same house as St. Phillip Neri for five years.

— Source Unknown

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