Views from the Choir Loft

Father Friel • Article Archive

Ordained in 2011, Father Friel served as Parochial Vicar at Saint Anselm Church in Northeast Philly before earning a doctorate in liturgical theology at The Catholic University of America. He presently serves as Vocation Director for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.—(Read full biography).

Fr. David Friel · May 3, 2015

Bishop to Restore Traditional Order of the Sacraments of Initiation

Baptism & Confirmation “go together like Easter and Pentecost.”

Fr. David Friel · April 26, 2015

A Criticism & Good News

Another Look at Fr. Weber’s “The Proper of the Mass”

Fr. David Friel · April 19, 2015

“Proper Of The Mass” (Ignatius Press) • Part 4 of 7

The Next Big Thing Is Here

Fr. David Friel · April 12, 2015

Sacra Liturgia USA 2015

An International Conference on Liturgical Formation in Light of the New Evangelization

Fr. David Friel · April 5, 2015

All Nine Readings

Celebrating the Easter Vigil in Its Fullness

Fr. David Friel · March 29, 2015

Essential Resources for Holy Week

Knowing What Is Needed

Fr. David Friel · March 22, 2015

Adoremus & the Way Forward

Continuing the Work of Helen Hull Hitchcock

Fr. David Friel · March 15, 2015

The Future of the Pipe Organ

“The manifold possibilities of the organ remind us of the immensity and the magnificence of God.” (Pope Benedict XVI)

Fr. David Friel · March 8, 2015

The Problem of Beauty

An Intriguing Argument for the Existence of God

Fr. David Friel · March 1, 2015

Basking in Beauty’s Glow

Taking the Time to Ponder

Fr. David Friel · February 15, 2015

Praying the Divine Office This Lent

Exploring the Sites & Apps Devoted to the “Official Prayer of the Church”

Fr. David Friel · February 8, 2015

Pastoral Difficulties with Recently Ordained Priests

A Response to a Post at “Pray Tell”

Fr. David Friel · February 1, 2015

Pope Francis & the Devil

Driving Out the Unclean Spirits in Our Midst

Fr. David Friel · January 25, 2015

Bishop Conley & Advent “Ad Orientem”

The results are in.

Fr. David Friel · January 18, 2015

Praise of God Demands Song

Impromptu Address of His Holiness Benedict XVI to the Members of the Pontifical “Sistine” Choir

Abbey Psalms & Canticles • Copyright?

A mildly disturbing “Triple C” (Confusion, Controversy, and Contradiction) reigns when it comes to the question of whether the so-called ABBEY PSALMS AND CANTICLES is a candidate for proprietary copyright. The morality question is clear-cut: it’s immoral to sell mandatory Mass texts for profit. (Entities which have done this in the past are obligated to make restitution.) But from a legal standpoint, serious questions have been raised. Without taking a position, this thorough article provides a summary of the issue.

—Corpus Christi Watershed

“Music List” • Presentation (2 February)

Some have expressed interest in perusing the “ORDER OF MUSIC” I prepared for the feast of the Presentation of the Lord (2 February 2025). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The ENTRANCE CHANT and OFFERTORY ANTIPHON both strike me as particularly beautiful.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Entrance Chant” • Presentation (2 Febr.)

You can download the ENTRANCE ANTIPHON in English for the Presentation of the Lord (2 February 2025). This feast is also known as “Candlemas.” Corresponding to the vocalist score is this free organ accompaniment. This English adaptation “mimics” the authentic Gregorian Chant version in a splendid way. If you’re someone who enjoys rehearsal videos, this morning I attempted to sing it while simultaneously accompanying my voice on the pipe organ.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Antiphons Don’t Match?

A reader wants to know why the Entrance and Communion antiphons in certain publications deviate from what’s prescribed by the GRADUALE ROMANUM published after Vatican II. Click here to read our answer. The short answer is: the Adalbert Propers were never intended to be sung. They were intended for private Masses only (or Masses without music).

—Corpus Christi Watershed

The Lofty Nature of This Goal

It is important above all that we never lose sight of our true goal as church musicians: the right worship of Almighty God. This is not a pious sentiment that should cause us to be lax about technical elements of music. Rather, the lofty nature of this goal is should motivate and inspire us to pursue the techne of musicianship with even greater zeal.

—Dr. Samuel Backman

Our Lady of Good Success Novena (+ Antiphon)

Today starts a Novena to Our Lady of Good Success. Curiously, there is an Antiphon included towards the end of each day’s prayers which looks very similar to this one.

—Veronica Brandt