Views from the Choir Loft

Catholic Wedding Nuptial Mass Music

Fr. David Friel · September 8, 2019

PDF Download • Chant Notation—Nuptial Blessing (EF)

With permission from the CDF, the nuptial blessing at a sung EF Mass may be chanted according to this melody.

Richard J. Clark · January 13, 2017

Nuptial Blessings • Practice Videos • Order of Celebrating Matrimony

Fr. Gaspar eloquently emphasis key words and phrases, underscoring the beauty of the sacrament.

Fr. David Friel · March 13, 2016

The Rite of Marriage, Second Edition

The release date has been set. What will be new in the new Rite of Marriage?

Richard J. Clark · June 19, 2015

Bigger Fish to Fry

Weddings, with all of their challenges offer an important chance to evangelize. God calls us to be fishers of women and men. That’s the most important catch of all.

Fr. David Friel · October 26, 2014

Only the Lover Sings

The South Philly Tradition of the Wedding Serenade

Andrew R. Motyka · August 27, 2014

Weddings: Some Practical Advice – The Very Beginning, Part 1

Some thoughts on the Introductory Rites for the Nuptial Mass.

Andrew R. Motyka · August 20, 2014

Weddings: Some Practical Advice – Introduction

A curmudgeonly introduction to a series on wedding advice.

Alabama Assessment!

We received this evaluation of Symposium 2022 from an Alabama participant:

“Oh, how the Symposium echoed the words of Cardinal Merry Del Val: …choosing only what is most conformed to Thy glory, which is my final aim. In one short and fast paced week, the faculty and attendees showed me the hand of God and our Lady working in our lives. The wide range of education—from Gregorian Chant, jazz modes in organ improvisation, to ‘staying sane’ while leading a choir—were certainly first-class knowledge from the best teachers of the art. However, the most powerful lesson was learning how to pray as a choir. The sacrifice of putting songs together, taking time to learn the sacred text, meditating on the church teaching through the chants, and gaining the virtues required to persevere in these duties were not only qualities of a choir but of a saint. The sanctification of the lives of the attendees was a beautiful outcome of this event … and that in itself is worth more than a beautifully-sung Solesmes style chant!”

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • Trinity Sunday (22 pages)

Feel free to download this Organ Accompaniment Booklet for Trinity Sunday (Second Vespers). Notice how the modes progress by number. Psalm 1 is mode 1; Psalm 2 is mode 2; Psalm 3 is mode 3; Psalm 4 is mode 4; Psalm 5 is mode 5. I am told by an expert that other feasts (such as Corpus Christi) are likewise organized by mode, and it’s called a “numerical office.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

10 June 2022 • “Official” rhythm of plainsong

I continue to search for the most beautiful way to present the “pure” Editio Vaticana scores. (Technically, the “pure” rhythm of the official edition is what everyone is supposed to use.) You can download my latest attempt, which is the Introit for this coming Sunday: Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. Because this is not an ancient feast, the Introit had to be adapted (perhaps around 750AD). Prior Johner says the adaptation is “not an entirely happy one.”

—Jeff Ostrowski