Place Me Among the Sheep, Not the Goats
The Dies Irae is part of why my choir prefers singing Requiems to Nuptial Masses. Here’s why you should spend a few minutes with this Sequence on All Souls Day.
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Articles
“Homily — 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A” • Father Valentine Young, OFM
Knowledge is having the facts. Wisdom is knowing what to do with them.
PDF Download • Rare 1970 Document Explains “Spoken vs. Sung Propers”
This is perhaps the single most significant liturgical document CCWatershed has ever unearthed—and translated to English! • Explains the origin of “Gradual Antiphons” vs. “Missal Antiphons” (a.k.a. “Sacramentary Antiphons”)+
Geeky Virtual Pipe Organ Options
Setting up a virtual pipe organ based on a tiny credit-card sized computer for your home studio.
“Homily for the Feast of All Saints” (November 1st) • Father Valentine Young, OFM
My mother told me that my father used to stop at the rectory every Saturday afternoon to go to confession to the priest. He died when I was eight, leaving my mother with six children…
* Live Rec. • “Absolution of the Body” (Gregorian Chant)
When a catafalque is used—instead of a dead body—the priest does not say the “Non Intres” prayer.
PDF Download • Beautiful Requiem Mass Image
“Every diocese, almost every church, had its own customs. Our present rule dates from the revived missal of 1570.”
“New” Cracked Altar Defaces Baroque Church
This travesty has been called “extensive restoration.”
ICEL added “Died” to the Nicene Creed • (I am not kidding!)
I bet you never noticed this, but here’s the proof! • Believe it or not, the Nicene Creed never says Our Lord “died,” and this article provides full documentation; also included are beautiful manuscript images from the greatest Dutch illuminated manuscript in the world: Catherine of Cleves Hours (15th century MS.)+
Quick Vocal Tip: The Yawn Breath
Looking for a speedy way to help your choir get into good placement for singing? The yawn breath encourages healthy phonation.
“Homily for the Feast of Christ the King” (EF) • Father Valentine Young, OFM
In many of His parables and teachings, Christ let us know that His Kingdom on earth was always what I am going to call “an unfinished product.”
PDF Download • Extremely Simple (Yet Gorgeous) Polyphonic Funeral Mass
These rehearsal videos were recorded by one person, and he apologizes for the poor singing quality…
PDF Download • “Mass Propers for Weekdays, Commons, and Saints” (1,294 pages)
Useful links as a “follow-up” to Mæstro Clark’s article about Fr. Weber’s plainsong settings.
Heresy du Jour? • (Orig. Published in 2019)
In the early XIXth century the Duke of Wellington, speaking of infantry battles, is said to have exclaimed, “All soldiers run away. The good ones come back.”
Helping “Tone-Deaf” Men Match Pitch
(Keven Smith) • Ever had a man express interest in your choir, only to discover that he has trouble matching pitch? You may just need to unlock his high range. Here’s how I’d approach the situation • James C. McKinney is mentioned+