Views from the Choir Loft

Fr. David Friel

Ordained in 2011, Father Friel served for five years as Parochial Vicar at St. Anselm Parish in Northeast Philly. He is currently a doctoral candidate in liturgical theology at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. Read more.

Digitizing the Vatican Library

Fr. David Friel · January 15, 2020 ·

One decade into the project, the results are fascinating.

Liturgica • Interview with Chris Mueller on the Release of New CD

Fr. David Friel · December 16, 2019 ·

Mueller discusses his recently released recording of original compositions and Renaissance masterworks.

Newman on Liturgy

Fr. David Friel · December 1, 2019 ·

What Does Newman Have to Say?

New Stained Glass Windows of Military Saints

Fr. David Friel · November 11, 2019 ·

Recently installed at the pastoral center of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA

The Gratuity of Beauty

Fr. David Friel · November 9, 2019 ·

Thoughts on the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

A quote from Fr. Valentine

Speaking of “nihil solliciti estis,” Fr. Valentine recently said: “I’ll bet that most people, including myself, have suffered more from things that never happened than from things that actually did happen.” Wise words!

—Jeff Ostrowski

Circle is complete

This is interesting! We have made it all the way around the liturgical year for Vespers organ accompaniments—which means all we have to do now is fill in the “holes,” such as Candlemas.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Fr. Valentine is very sick

I beg you to pray for Fr. Valentine Young, OFM, who I am told is dying (or may possibly have died already). He’s one of the most faithful & generous priests I know. There would be no CCWatershed without Fr. Valentine.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Discussion on Facebook

These prayers were not peculiar to Good Friday in the early ages (they were said on Spy Wednesday as late as the eighth century); their retention here, it is thought, was inspired by the idea that the Church should pray for all classes of men on the day that Christ died for all. Duchesne is of opinion that the “Oremus” now said in every Mass before the Offertory—which is not a prayer—remains to show where this old series of prayers was once said in all Masses.

— Catholic Encyclopedia (1909)