• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

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.”

  • Donate
  • Our Team
    • Our Editorial Policy
    • Who We Are
    • How To Contact Us
    • Sainte Marie Bulletin Articles
    • Jeff’s Mom Joins Fundraiser
  • Pew Resources
    • Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal
    • Jogues Illuminated Missal
    • Repository • “Spanish Music”
    • KYRIALE • Saint Antoine Daniel
    • Campion Missal, 3rd Edition
  • MUSICAL WEBSITES
    • René Goupil Gregorian Chant
    • Noël Chabanel Psalms
    • Nova Organi Harmonia (2,279 pages)
    • Roman Missal, 3rd Edition
    • Catechism of Gregorian Rhythm
    • Father Enemond Massé Manuscripts
    • Lalemant Polyphonic
    • Feasts Website
  • Miscellaneous
    • Site Map
    • Secrets of the Conscientious Choirmaster
    • “Wedding March” for lazy organists
    • Emporium Kevin Allen
    • Saint Jean de Lalande Library
    • Sacred Music Symposium 2023
    • The Eight Gregorian Modes
    • Gradual by Pothier’s Protégé
    • Seven (7) Considerations
Views from the Choir Loft

Richard J. Clark • Article Archive

Richard J. Clark is the Director of Music of the Archdiocese of Boston and the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. He is also Chapel Organist (Saint Mary’s Chapel) at Boston College. His compositions have been performed worldwide.—Read full biography (with photographs).

Richard J. Clark · January 10, 2014

Improvising – and Praying – on the Propers

A close friend, a priest once told me years ago something I’ve never forgotten. “The people don’t need to know what it is to understand it.” They will understand the prayer interiorly if not in words. Since hearing that, I have always thought it important to play and pray music related to a relevant text.

Richard J. Clark · January 3, 2014

Living with Uncertainty

But blessings come and go. Crosses are plentiful. Uncertainty makes life scary. But, no matter who you are, rich or poor, lowly sinner or saint, these words are prayed (hopefully sung) in the funeral mass: “In Paradisum…”

Richard J. Clark · December 27, 2013

Why We Do What We Do

“The priest would listen to this heavenly music over and over, crying while listening to it. He was brought great comfort through the ministry of this music. He passed away earlier this fall.”

Richard J. Clark · December 24, 2013

Light Upon the World

Have a blessed Christmas, and know the Light of Christ shines upon you and dwells within you!

Richard J. Clark · December 22, 2013

Live Streaming: Lessons and Carols ~ Our Lady of Atonement

Mæstro Edmund Murray directs a special Festival at Our Lady of Atonement in San Antonio, TX.

Richard J. Clark · December 20, 2013

Emotional Baggage and Changing Demographics

As a child growing up in the 1970s, I was well aware of the utter incompetence I was hearing on Sundays. As you can tell, I am still pretty upset about it.

Richard J. Clark · December 13, 2013

Are You a Servant Leader?

Leadership and authority are two very different things. Some with authority do not command respect. A Servant Leader will usually earn the respect and trust of others. Do so, and you can change the world.

Richard J. Clark · December 6, 2013

Chris Mueller’s Unique Voice in the Propers

Chris Mueller has a very unique collection of Offertory Propers in English. He refers to them as “miniatures”, but each is unique revealing a depth of character that gives them lasting power.

Richard J. Clark · November 29, 2013

A Challenge for the “Big Three” — Is there a Market for the Propers?

I have a challenge to the “Big Three” publishers. The propers are the new frontier of liturgical composition. I propose that they get ahead of the curve now.

Richard J. Clark · November 22, 2013

Saint Cecilia and Why the Word is Preeminent

I confront a challenge most musicians of sacred music face: the battle between the Word and musical “feel.” From the Word, emanates a life: all that is love, all that is beauty, all that is sacrifice and service to God.

Richard J. Clark · November 15, 2013

The Politics of Sacred Music

Architecture? Incense? Piano? Guitar? Organ? Chant? Old translation? New translation? Latin? Inclusive or non-inclusive language? All the above sometimes have emotions assigned to them distracting from prayer. Putting God first is counter-cultural, but it should be apolitical.

Richard J. Clark · November 1, 2013

Sainthood May Sound Crazy

We are called to be saints. Does this sound crazy? I am more and more convinced it is not. Perhaps there is a roadmap to sainthood that we’ve known all along.

Richard J. Clark · October 25, 2013

Who Likes to be “Pruned”?

I don’t know about you, but I don’t like being pruned. Ultimately, this pruning leads to a refinement of the soul.

Richard J. Clark · October 18, 2013

Composing Heals a Heavy Heart

Musical composition, especially in a defined prayerful structure, can uncover a wounded heart, one that is buried under its own weight. Music in service to God—even for a humble group of singers—may heal and lift those weighed down. This may include the composer as well!

Richard J. Clark · October 11, 2013

“Requiem pour une américaine à Paris” on “Sounds from the Spires”

Inspired by the Gregorian Chant propers of the Requiem Mass, Richard J. Clark’s “Requiem pour une américaine à Paris” was recently featured on “Sounds from the Spires” on SIRIUS XM 129 Radio, The Catholic Channel, hosted by Dr. Jennifer Pascual, Director of Music of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in NYC.

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 16
  • Page 17
  • Page 18
  • Page 19
  • Page 20
  • Page 21
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Latin Liturgy Association
    We note with pleasure that Mrs. Regina Morris, president of the Latin Liturgy Association, has featured—on page 4 of Volume CXXIX of their official newsletter—the three (3) terrific versions of the Stations of the Cross found in the Brébeuf Hymnal. One of the main authors for the blog of the Church Music Association of America said (6/10/2019) about this pew book: “It is such a fantastic hymnal that it deserves to be in the pews of every Catholic church.”
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Music List” • 28th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 12 October 2025, which is the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). 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 dazzling feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Offertory” for this Sunday
    This coming Sunday, 12 October 2025, is the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). Its OFFERTORY ANTIPHON (PDF) is gorgeous, and comes from the book of Esther, as did the ENTRANCE CHANT last Sunday. Depending on a variety of factors, various hand-missals (all with Imprimatur) translate this passage differently. For instance, “príncipis” can be rendered: King; Prince; Lion; or Fierce lord. None is “more correct” than another. It depends on which source text is chosen and what each translator wants to emphasize. All these pieces of plainsong are conveniently stored at the blue-ribbon feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    New Bulletin Article • “12 October 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 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
    The American Catholic Hymnal, with IMPRIMATUR granted (25 April 1991) by the Archdiocese of Chicago, is like a compendium of every horrible idea from the 1980s. Imagine being forced to stand all through Communion (even afterwards) when those self-same ‘enlightened’ liturgists moved the SEQUENCE before the Alleluia to make sure congregations wouldn’t have to stand during it. (Even worse, everything about the SEQUENCE—including its name—means it should follow the Alleluia.) And imagine endlessly repeating “Alleluia” during Holy Communion at every single Mass. It was all part of an effort to convince people that Holy Communion was historically a procession (which it wasn’t).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Fifty years ago, Dr. Theodore Marier made available this clever arrangement (PDF) of “Come down, O love divine” by P. R. Dietterich. The melody was composed in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (d. 1958) and named in honor of of his birthplace: DOWN AMPNEY. The arrangement isn’t a strict canon, but it does remind one of a canon since the pipe organ employs “points of imitation.” The melody and text are #709 in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“If you begin by telling a man that in a word like ‘Deus’ the first syllable corresponds to the weak beat, the second to the strong beat of a modern bar, the one thing that will succeed in accomplishing is to bewilder him thoroughly.”

— Father Heinrich Bewerunge writing to Dame Laurentia

Recent Posts

  • Latin Liturgy Association
  • Important Quote by a Church Musician
  • Fulton J. Sheen Played The Pipe Organ!
  • “Music List” • 28th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
  • Dr. Samuel Backman • “Rooted In Tradition: The Allegory of a Tree”

Subscribe

Subscribe

* indicates required

Copyright © 2025 Corpus Christi Watershed · Isaac Jogues on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Corpus Christi Watershed is a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to exploring and embodying as our calling the relationship of religion, culture, and the arts. This non-profit organization employs the creative media in service of theology, the Church, and Christian culture for the enrichment and enjoyment of the public.