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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.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

Sacra Liturgia 2015 — Update I

Fr. David Friel · June 1, 2015

693 FATHER FRIEL HE FIRST DAY of Sacra Liturgia 2015 began at about 4:30 PM on Monday afternoon. After a few words of welcome from the organizers, Bishop Frank Caggiano of the Diocese of Bridgeport gave a wonderful opening talk. In his typically pastoral way, he called upon us to use our love for the sacred liturgy to promote the necessary work of the New Evangelization amidst the many people who consider themselves “spiritual, but not religious.”

The conference attendees then heard the first keynote address, given by His Eminence, Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke.

Even in just a few hours, several important points have been made, and I will share with you just three.

Among the words of introduction, a fine letter was read from the Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship (CDW), Cardinal Sarah. His Eminence had many good things to convey to us, but one thing especially struck me.

Cardinal Sarah revealed that, when he was appointed to be Prefect of the CDW, he asked Pope Francis what he expected him to do in this new role. The response of the Holy Father, according to Cardinal Sarah’s letter, was twofold:

1. Implement the reforms of the Second Vatican Council

2. Continue the liturgical vision of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

Those are remarkable marching orders—orders that one might not have expected Pope Francis to give. At the same time, of course, these two directives are inseparable, since the liturgical movement championed by Cardinal Ratzinger/Pope Benedict XVI is fundamentally a call to embrace the true vision of Vatican II.

Another highlight moment from today was the announcement of the next Sacra Liturgia conference, which is being planned for July 2016 in London. No further details have been given, but that is a very significant announcement. This movement is growing and spreading, which is already a sign of the fruit that is being borne.

Finally, allow me to recap a few of the many excellent points introduced by Cardinal Burke during his keynote address, entitled Beauty in the Sacred Liturgy and the Beauty of a Holy Life.

The cardinal spoke a bit about the nature & significance of the Transcendentals: Truth, Goodness, & Beauty. He paid special attention to their interconnectedness. Notably, beauty is a prerequisite for truth and goodness. Cardinal Burke observed: “Precisely because we have lost beauty, we have lost also goodness and truth.”

696 Cardinal Burke His Eminence also made the point that, in our modern world, “beauty is suspect.” By this, he meant that beautiful things, especially within the sacred liturgy (e.g., art, architecture, music, gesture, vestments, ars celebrandi, etc.), are commonly disregarded as frivolous, shallow, and “superficial.” I have often witnessed this suspicion at play, and I was very pleased that the cardinal encouraged us to challenge this charge of superficiality.

In the middle of his presentation, Cardinal Burke gave a heartwarming reflection on the Gospel passage wherein Mary of Bethany anoints the feet of Jesus with expensive spikenard. In our own day, many people make the same charge that Judas made: that the money lavished upon divine worship could have been better used in feeding the poor. Cardinal Burke responded firmly & gently to this objection, saying that Christian poverty is a thing most essentially of the spirit. Those whose poverty is physical/financial are those who, most of all, need true beauty in their lives. “The poverty to which we are called as Christians calls not for what is ugly, but for the most beautiful celebration of which we are capable.”

Tuesday will bring several more talks and exquisite liturgies. I will attempt to recap some of the highlights as the conference continues to unfold.


REMINDER FROM FR. DAVID FRIEL :   Any quotations I give in the course of my reporting on this conference should be understood to be inexact, as I am only taking notes during the live presentation. Nevertheless, I shall endeavor to be as exact as possible.


700 Father Friel

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger Liturgy, Liturgy of the Second Vatican Council, Pope Francis, Raymond Cardinal Leo Burke, Reform of the Reform, Robert Cardinal Sarah, Sacra Liturgia Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Fr. David Friel

Ordained in 2011, Father Friel is a priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and serves as Director of Liturgy at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary. —(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    A Nice Hymn In Spanish
    In my humble opinion, this is a really beautiful hymn in Spanish. If I practice diligently, I’ll be able to pronounce all the words properly. If you’re someone who’s interested in obtaining a melody only version (suitable for your congregational ORDER OF WORSHIP) you can steal that from this.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Music List” • 21st in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Our choir returns on Sunday, 24 August 2025. Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for it, which is the 21st 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 spectacular feasts website. When it comes to the feast of the Assumption (15 August 2025), I have uploaded the music list for that Mass—but not the “bi-lingual” Mass in the evening (Spanish, Latin, and English) which has completely different music.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Entrance Chant” • 21st Sunday Ordin. Time
    You can download the ENTRANCE ANTIPHON in English for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) which is coming up on 24 August 2025. Corresponding to the vocalist score is this free organ accompaniment. It’s set in a melancholy mode, but if you heard my choir’s female voices singing it your soul would be uplifted beyond belief. If you’re someone who enjoys rehearsal videos, this morning I tried to sing it while simultaneously accompanying my voice on the pipe organ.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    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
    Pope Pius XII Hymnal?
    Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Hybrid” Chant Notation?
    Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“There’s a world of difference between a thoughtful, wise Catholic and a bitter contrarian. In spite of what is claimed on certain blogs, being addicted to cable news and twitter does not make one an intellectual.”

— Jeff Ostrowski

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