“Separated from the Sacraments” • Stories from Walter Ciszek, SJ
A missionary in Soviet Russia, Fr. Ciszek learned the spirituality of surrender through tremendous suffering.
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Stella Caeli – a hymn against pestilence
Veronica Brandt has posted a beautiful antiphon reputed to keep the plague away; updated to correct a semitone variance in the first copy she made • The Cantuale Romano-Seraphicum from 1951 is mentioned • Free download of “Stella Caeli” along with the Litany of Our Lady+
Extremely Rare! • 1908 Solesmes Graduale (PDF Download)
I’ve been searching for this book for twenty years! • For the first time in history, the Graduale Romanum from 1908 (with Solesmes rhythmic markings) has been scanned and uploaded • Includes copious and detailed information about the rhythm of the Editio Vaticana (“Vatican Edition”) you won’t find anywhere else+
PDF Download • “Lucis Creator Optime” (Vespers Hymn)
I followed the “Brébeuf hymnal method,” in which every verse is written out…
Brébeuf Review! • “Society for Catholic Liturgy”
“The editors of the Brébeuf Hymnal have done a great service to the profession.” —Aaron James, Ph.D.
Revealed! • A Fascinating Mass Rubric Very Few Know
“How surprised people would be next Sunday to see the direction being carried out!” —1943 article
The 1961 Code of Rubrics • Pope St. John XXIII
I would not argue with someone who called this document curious, or even bizarre; it was only in effect for a few years • Also: “Should the Sanctus and Benedictus be split in the Traditional Latin Mass?” • This “Extraordinary Form” question is treated meticulously with full documentation going back 150 years+
Hymn Harmony: Fifty Examples—Good and Bad!
We will not be considering musically absurd examples from the past.
What Makes A “Catholic” Hymnal?
I find the following pairings reprehensible…
PDF Download • Franz Liszt and Gregorian Chant
Many would ask: “What is the purpose of posting such books? Are we supposed to sing from them?” • It turns out, these editions help us understand the journey of Franz Liszt to understand Gregorian modality.
“Church Music Manifesto” (2019)
Mass should be a peaceful experience for the congregation, not an opportunity to be harassed.
PDF Download • “Easy Organ Interludes” (229 pages)
Giovanni Battista Fasolo published an enormous book of organ interludes without pedals • Pierre Gouin typed them up, bringing you this clear window into renaissance liturgical music for free! • Enjoy this treasure trove of organ music from almost 400 years ago! Plus a few highlights from along the way+
“Outer Space Hymn” (1966) • In A Catholic Hymnal
Discussion of horrible things that have (sadly) appeared in Catholic hymnals, such as: “And as we float along through outer space, | Past galaxies aglow in dark’s embrace, | Toward other worlds where brothers may await, | Do care for us now in our weightless state.” (Imprimatur 1966)+
Rare Lenten Hymns You’ve Not Sung
“Our hymnbooks know nothing of such a treasure as this, and give us pages of poor sentiment in doggerel lines by some tenth-rate modern versifier.” —Fr. Fortescue
PDF Download • Easy Hymn with Melody in Tenor
The Brébeuf hymnal contains carefully chosen and flexible melodies; do you see how the following tune (“Old Hundredth”) can be used in the Tenor voice?