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.”
Before a Low Mass, the priest ascends the Altar to place the Chalice, check the altar Missal, and do other “preparing” tasks. The organist must be prepared to play here, and—depending upon the priest—this can be of surprising length! For certain priests, I can easily play all six verses of a hymn while he’s doing […]
I think we can learn something from this pagan official.
A picture is worth 1,000 words…
…praying the holy rosary with his office staff.
To give you an idea how this sounds, I recorded the piece on my toy organ.
The word “grace” means a gift given to us by God. Sanctifying grace is first given to us when we are baptized.
This piece comes from “Motecta Trium Vocum” by Kevin Allen (for three equal voices).
Kids these days will never know the adventure of traveling to a special music library, climbing the steps, locating the correct LP record, and placing it into the record player (which had a needle). In the 1990s, this was the only way one could listen to Hofmann’s live recording of Chopin’s 4th Ballade. I have […]
Lies containing a little truth are the most difficult to quash • Here is the definitive, final exposé on why the “Spoken Propers” don’t match the “Sung Propers.” • In October of 1972, the Bishops’ Committee on the Liturgy falsely equated the “Spoken Propers” with the “Sung Propers” and proclaimed: “These antiphons are too abrupt for communal recitation” • Several official English translations of the Roman Gradual have received the imprimatur multiple times+
“It was the mistake of my life. When I was very young, I had the chance to become a father, but I had my son aborted. Now, I’ve become very strongly against abortion.” —Andrea Roncato
Sin is an offense against God. Therefore, only God can forgive sin.
Do you recognize where these pages were stolen from in 1966, when they hoped nobody would notice?
Are you familiar with “Thaxted”—a beautiful hymn tune?
Brian J. Nelson is director of Sacred Music at the Saint Lawrence Catholic Campus Center.
A reader wrote to us: “Thank you for the sample verses of Hymn #869 (Solemn Hymn to the Son of God). I found this music posted to YouTube this morning, and I’ve lost count at of the number of times I’ve replayed it and—no exaggeration!—it makes me tear up each time. This lovely hymn makes […]
