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Corpus Christi Watershed

“A much greater source of anxiety to Us is the style of action of those who maintain that liturgical worship should shed its sacred character, who foolishly say we should substitute for sacred items & furnishings ordinary common things in daily use.” —Pope Saint Paul VI (14 Oct 1968)

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Views from the Choir Loft

Aurelio Porfiri

Renowned as composer, conductor, theorist, author, pedagogue, and organist, Aurelio Porfiri has served the Church on multiple continents at the highest levels. Born and raised in Italy, he currently serves as Director of Choral Activities and Composer in Residence for Santa Rosa de Lima School (Macao, China). Read more.

Aurelio Porfiri · November 25, 2014

VIDEO • “Why Choralife Is Special”

“Because you don’t need to wait weeks and weeks to receive your orders…”

Aurelio Porfiri · November 21, 2014

New Video In Honor Of Saint Cecilia

“…a church which preserves the memories of my own profession: The Church of St. Cecilia.”

Aurelio Porfiri · October 16, 2014

An Exciting Concert In Rome! — 19 October 2014

Aurelio Porfiri (Composer), Luigi Ciuffa (Conductor), Gianluca Libertucci (Organist)

Aurelio Porfiri · October 14, 2014

VIDEO • Wandering Around During The Sign Of Peace

I don’t know how you feel, but being hugged by unknown people on the basis that they sit next to me is not really the best experience in the world…

Aurelio Porfiri · October 13, 2014

VIDEO • Light And Darkness

Including exclusive interviews with Fr. Corrado Maggioni and Rodolfo Papa.

Aurelio Porfiri · October 13, 2014

VIDEO • A New Mass For A New Era

“Our Archconfraternity is truly grateful to Maestro Aurelio Porfiri for the gift of this marvelous Mass which he has composed.” —Domenico Rotella

Aurelio Porfiri · October 11, 2014

VIDEO • I Am An Elitist

These elite are people who—by means of tireless effort—try to create good art for the benefit of everyone.

Aurelio Porfiri · October 10, 2014

Aurelio Porfiri: Excerpt from “Corpus Domini” Oratorio

Are modern church musicians still composing oratorios? Yes!

Aurelio Porfiri · October 9, 2014

VIDEO • Am I A Disease?

“Reduced to the laical state” vs. “dismissal from the clerical state.”

Aurelio Porfiri · September 23, 2014

Cardinal Lercaro: A Key Player In Liturgical Reform

“This booklet made quite a splash. Even Paul VI had to publicly defend Cardinal Lercaro.” — Aurelio Porfiri

Aurelio Porfiri · September 15, 2014

Unchangeable Things

“What stood out to me was the attention that Bishop Salvado gave to music…”

Aurelio Porfiri · September 9, 2014

A Good Reading

“The thoughts of Fr. Barsotti are not devotional or pious, but essential.” — Aurelio Porfiri.

Aurelio Porfiri · September 2, 2014

When Disobedience Is Not Only Good, But Necessary!

“The majesty of divine worship is not only disapproved by evil men, but defiled and held up to ridicule.” — Pope Gregory XVI

Aurelio Porfiri · August 26, 2014

Tu Es Petrus

A common mistake I find in Catholic literature is the belief that if you defend Pope Francis it means you are against Pope emeritus Benedict XVI, and vice versa.

Aurelio Porfiri · August 19, 2014

Don’t Add Me, Please

If someone tells you “Vatican II wants such-and-such,” ask him where this was said.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    This coming Sunday—13 July 2025—is the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). All the chants have been conveniently assembled and posted at the feasts website. The OFFERTORY, Ad Te Levávi, is particularly beautiful.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Music Director Job • $80,000 per year
    Our readers will be interested in this job offering for Music Director at Saint Adalbert’s Basilica, located 40 minutes from where I live. My pastor was recently elevated to this basilica. He is offering $80,000 per year, plus benefits. I’m told Saint Adalbert’s Basilica is utterly gorgeous and contains one of America’s most magnificent pipe organs. It would be fantastic to have a colleague nearby!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Simplest “Agnus Dei” Ever Published
    Our choir is on break during the month of July. I needed a relatively simple “Agnus Dei,” so I composed this setting for organ & voice in honor of Saint René Goupil. It has been called the simplest setting ever composed. I love CARMEN GREGORIANUM (“Gregorian Chant”), especially the ALLELUIAS, INTROITS, and COMMUNION ANTIPHONS. That being said, some have pointed out that certain sections of the Kyriale aren’t as strong as the Graduale or Vesperale. There’s a reason for this—but it would be too complicated to explain at this moment.
    —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

“So, as in delirium a man talks in a long-forgotten tongue, now—when her heart is rent—the Catholic Church drops twenty centuries without an effort, and speaks as she spoke underground in Rome, and in Paul’s hired house, and in Crete and Alexandria and Jerusalem.”

— A non-Catholic describing the “Hagios O Theos” of Good Friday in 1906

Recent Posts

  • “How to Conduct 90 Vespers Services Each Year and Live to Tell the Tale.”
  • 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
  • The Tallis Scholars
  • Music Director Job • $80,000 per year
  • Pope Saint Paul VI to Consilium (14 October 1968)

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