Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”
Many people wonder what Cantus Gregorianus sounds like when sung according to the “official rhythm.” You can hear the Introit for Maundy Thursday sung that way—i.e. according to the “pure” Editio Vaticana—if you click here. Technically, this is the only interpretation allowed by the Church; cf. the letter of Cardinal Martinelli (18 February 1910).
The Vatican’s choir sounds beautiful these days—no longer is it “the scandal of Christendom.”
A wonderful passiontide hymn is #692 in the Brébeuf hymnal. It works especially well for Communion. Here is a live recording from last Sunday, sung by the fabulous female singers in my volunteer parish choir.
Is it “traditional” to receive Holy Communion on Good Friday?
During the procession on Palm Sunday, the 1962 rubrics allow alius cantus in honorem Christi Regis—“a hymn or song in honor of Christ the King.” A simple yet beautiful Gregorian hymn you might consider is Te Sæculorum Principem, which was composed for the feast of Christ the King by Father Vittorio Genovesi (d. 1967). The […]
I know of no author who has attempted to reconcile, explain, or justify the (obviously contradictory) “schizophrenia flaw.”
Including a remarkable musical setting by Father Adrian Fortescue (d. 1923).
During Passiontide, the hymn at Vespers is the mighty Vexilla Regis Prodeunt of Bishop Venantius Fortunatus. In 2015, I composed an organ accompaniment for this hymn with each verse written out. This comes in pretty handy on occasions when the organist must “lead the hymn from the organ bench.” Please feel free to download my […]
Certainly the only “Eucharistic” hymn to Saint Joseph I know!
For this coming Sunday (Passion Sunday), there’s only one “MMV” singers must observe—and I placed a little arrow above it.
When Father Fortescue was diagnosed with cancer, he was seen to kiss devoutly the Altar on which he had so frequently celebrated Mass before going to the hospital to die.
We already released Part 2; today we release Part 1.
Fulton J. Sheen reminded us: “Many a pontiff goes through life without making a single infallible decision … not one.”
Mr. Currie complained about hymn lyrics that “unduly emphasize the human nature of the Savior.”
The clinicians for Sacred Music Symposium 2022 have been officially released! You can see them by downloading this PDF file. Please help us spread the word. Thank you!
