“Is it not true that prohibiting or suspecting the extraordinary form can only be inspired by the demon who desires our suffocation and spiritual death?” —The Vatican’s chief liturgist from 2014-2021; interview with Edw. Pentin (23-Sep-2019)
Pope Francis said famously: “To dialogue entails a cordial reception, not a prior condemnation.” The following brief utterances of mine are offered in that spirit. Pope Saint Pius X called the sacred liturgy “the primary and indispensable source of the true Christian spirit.” If the reformers had told the fathers of Vatican II they desired […]
Also included: the day my life changed forever.
Writing excellent music is easier in four voices than three. We often sing from MATRI DIVINAE GRATIAE, a 3-voice collection by Kevin Allen for Soprano, Alto, and Bass. Someone made a recording of my volunteer choir singing “Si Ambulávero” (from that collection). This “raw recording” starts toward the end of the psalm tone then launches […]
Bishop Ambo’s assertion that Mass was attended—for centuries—by a single woman (and nobody else) is bizarre.
A thoughtful priest from another country wrote me a magnificent message praising a PDF comparison chart I recently posted. It deals with “staffless” CARMEN GREGORIANUM (Gregorian Chant). Download it for free by scrolling to the bottom of this article. Of course, I hope you will read the article instead of just scrolling past it.
Where “Parce Dómine” (the famous song for Lent) came from.
As we approach the holy season of Lent, the prayers and readings become more lengthy. When we arrive at Easter, the prayers and readings will become extremely brief. As we get closer to Lent, some of the music becomes quite somber. I can’t think of a more somber piece than the INTROIT for Sexagesima Sunday. […]
The word 𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒆 can mean “not punctual” or “dead.”
Should Mass be in Latin or English? Or should it be a mixture?
Real choir (‘live’) vs. studio recording.
Including the official hymn for February 2nd: the feast of the Purification.
Father De Santi opined that “Solesmes had rid themselves of Pothier by giving him an abbey”—to which Pope Pius X responded that it amounted to “a small compensation.”
Including never-before-released photographs of Monsignor Martin B. Hellriegel.
The occasion I speak of is when he stopped by our home to see us one final time.
I demonstrate how the “Kyrie Eleison” can be adapted for use in the Extraordinary Form.
