Views from the Choir Loft

Father Friel • Article Archive

Ordained in 2011, Father Friel served as Parochial Vicar at Saint Anselm Church in Northeast Philly before earning a doctorate in liturgical theology at The Catholic University of America. He presently serves as Vocation Director for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.—(Read full biography).

Fr. David Friel · February 14, 2016

Repetition in the Roman Missal

A Literary Approach in an Adoremus Bulletin Article

Fr. David Friel · February 7, 2016

The Phrasing of the Sanctus

The Difference a Comma Makes

Fr. David Friel · January 31, 2016

Too Many Options

Allowing Adolescents to Choose Their Faith & the Wide-Open Permissions of the GIRM

Fr. David Friel · January 24, 2016

Motet for Three Voices: “O Crux Ave”

This piece is ideal for use as a motet during the veneration of the Holy Cross at the Good Friday liturgy.

Fr. David Friel · January 17, 2016

Sacra Liturgia UK — Registration Now Open

An International Conference on Liturgical Formation in Light of the New Evangelization

Fr. David Friel · January 10, 2016

Whose Responsibility Is It To Establish New EF Communities?

We must respect the vision of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.

Fr. David Friel · January 1, 2016

Chesterton on the Value of New Beginnings

Thoughts on New Year’s Day

Fr. David Friel · December 20, 2015

Pope Francis on Collaboration of the Lay Faithful

Remarks during the Ad Limina Visit of the German Bishops

Fr. David Friel · December 13, 2015

Lighting Up Façades

Catholic churches ought not to be treated as houses of entertainment, but as houses of prayer.

Fr. David Friel · December 6, 2015

Not One of Aesop’s Fables

Of Tetrarchs, High Priests, and the Polar Express

Fr. David Friel · November 23, 2015

An Extraordinary Event: NCYC 2015

Traditional Mass offered at National Catholic Youth Conference

Fr. David Friel · November 22, 2015

St. Cecilia Academy for Pastoral Musicians

The program seeks to broaden the knowledge of already well trained musicians so that they can become well trained liturgical musicians.

Fr. David Friel · November 15, 2015

Fides et Ratio

Celebrating the Great Balance of Albertus Magnus

Fr. David Friel · November 15, 2015

Should the Liturgy Be Televised?

Introducing a New Book by Fr. Uwe Michael Lang

Fr. David Friel · November 8, 2015

Liturgical Happenings at Notre Dame

Divine Liturgy and a new pipe organ

“Music List” • 14 September (Holy Cross)

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I prepared for 14 September 2025, which is the Feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross. 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 spectacular feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.

—Jeff Ostrowski

New Bulletin Article • “14 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 14 September 2025) discusses OFFERTORY ANTIPHONS and contains a wonderful quote by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • Draft Copy (Pamphlet)

A few days ago, I posted a draft copy of this 12-page pamphlet with citations about the laity’s “full, conscious, and active participation.” Its basic point or message is that choir directors should never feel embarrassed to teach real choral music because Vatican II explicitly ordered them to do that! We’ve received tons of mail regarding that pamphlet, with many excellent suggestions for improvement. Please feel free to chime in!

—Jeff Ostrowski

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