“What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too…” Pope Benedict XVI (7 July 2007)
This incredible website gives each bishop’s response to the recent MOTU PROPRIO Traditionis Custodes, a decree by Pope Francis which seeks to reduce the number of celebrations of the “Extraordinary Form” (Traditional Latin Mass): traditioniscustodes.info
When you were in school, you would have gotten in trouble if you wrote the Roman Numeral “9” as viiii. You were supposed to write: IX. But look how an ancient manuscript writes “9” as a Roman Numeral. That’s the Introit Ecce Deus for tomorrow’s feast in the Extraordinary Form: The 9th Sunday after Pentecost.
Anyone familiar with the so-called “Traditionalist Catholic” movement knows that (like every other group) it contains some bad apples. Anyone can self-identify as a “Traditionalist Catholic”—even those who are mentally ill, those who beat their wives, and even folks who are emotionally disturbed. All of us know TLM Catholics who are so arrogant they make […]
Locations which celebrate the Traditional Latin Mass tend to be the marginalized groups, given “leftovers” that nobody else wants.
Now is certainly not the time for sensationalist language. However…
“Deliver us, Lord, from every evil: past, present, and to come.”
“Truly Perplexing” • Pope Francis’ Motu Proprio
“We are today not another Church as 500 years ago; it’s always the same Church.” —Cardinal Ratzinger on EWTN
People are talking about “liturgy wars” again…
“Serve God in that charity and love which cast out fear; such love does not regard merit.” —Saint Bernard
If we grow up singing hymns, we’re incapable of judging them—because we’re “too close” to them. People who know and love “Abide with me, fast falls the eventide” probably never realized the first word is one of the most egregious examples of incorrect accentuation. (The correct accent for “abide” is on the second syllable, not […]
A reader from Chicago writes: “Your work is exemplary, and these past 15 months have put into clear focus for me just how important Corpus Christi Watershed is as an evangelizing voice in the Church. During this pandemic, we have moved away from the ‘big publisher’ psalters, employing nearly exclusively your settings, which (in my […]
In the annals of pianism, there were some fakers: Vladimir de Pachmann, Ignacy Jan Paderewski, Leopold de Meyer, and Henri Herz. A hilarious story is told by Harold C. Schonberg about Henri Herz, his manager (Bernard Ullman), and 1,000 candles. I think you will enjoy reading it.
We tried something last Sunday. On the final stanza of this Eucharistic hymn, we got softer. I’d love to know your thoughts—does it sound good, or contrived?
Including seven (7) examples of musical diversity.
An urgent letter from the president … please read this!
This fabulous technique is common in Germanic countries…
Telling the true story of Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty, a Catholic priest who saved thousands of lives during WW2.
A document from 1822 shows that 29 June, the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, used to be a Holy Day of Obligation in the United States. By 1864 it was no longer a Holy Day of Obligation—but the bishops of the United States were asked to celebrate it “solemnly” on the following Sunday, which […]
If you fail to carefully plan your rehearsal, you’ll be eaten alive. And rightfully so!
