“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)
The question of “Thee, Thy, Thou, Thine” • Speaks about whether referring to the “original version” of a hymn text makes sense • Treatment of the beautiful hymn melody called “Lafitau” and a harmonization by Claude Goudimel (d. 1572) with the melody placed into the Tenor voice+
God has a special task and calling for each and every one of us.
We can sometimes be so caught up in advancing Gregorian chant that we fail to remember that every single age in the history of the Catholic Church has seen forms of popular religious music…
Due to government restrictions, California has been “locked down” since March, and all our Masses are celebrated outside.
My grandparents served in World War II and helped defeat fascism. The service, faith, and prayers of people like them made it possible for us all to be church musicians today.
Sviatoslav Richter couldn’t function—much less perform—unless he carried around his pink, plastic lobster for comfort • Have you ever become discouraged about your abilities? Have you ever felt contempt for your early artistic creations? Typos from beautiful books are included in this reflection+
A Catholic homeschooler shares her preparations for hymn study for the upcoming Advent season. She presents pieces from deep in the Brébeuf Hymnal, one from fond memories at her Catholic school, and closes with bells intoning the “Angelus”.
Archbishop Sheen immediately replied: “Then I didn’t explain it correctly, because it should be a mystery” • Including Rex Sempiterne Caelitum, Jesu Nostra Redemptio, Vexilla Regis Prodeunt, Auctor Beate Saeculi, A Solis Ortus Cardine, Jesu Redemptor Omnium, Conditor Alme Siderum, Corde Natus Ex Parentis, Pange Lingua Gloriosi, Veni Creator Spiritus, and more!
Book Review: “The First Christian Hymnal”
The Dies Irae is part of why my choir prefers singing Requiems to Nuptial Masses. Here’s why you should spend a few minutes with this Sequence on All Souls Day.
Knowledge is having the facts. Wisdom is knowing what to do with them.
This is perhaps the single most significant liturgical document CCWatershed has ever unearthed—and translated to English! • Explains the origin of “Gradual Antiphons” vs. “Missal Antiphons” (a.k.a. “Sacramentary Antiphons”)+
Setting up a virtual pipe organ based on a tiny credit-card sized computer for your home studio.
My mother told me that my father used to stop at the rectory every Saturday afternoon to go to confession to the priest. He died when I was eight, leaving my mother with six children…
When a catafalque is used—instead of a dead body—the priest does not say the “Non Intres” prayer.
