Solemn Mass • Ruins of Saint Mary’s Cathedral (Nagasaki, 1949)
Due to government restrictions, California has been “locked down” since March, and all our Masses are celebrated outside.
Articles
Veterans Day: Remembering Those Who Made Our Music Possible
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.
Catholic Artists and “Self Hatred”
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+
(Installment #12) “Catholic Hymnals” • Veronica Moreno
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”.
“Christ as Creator” • Remarkable Findings in Ancient Hymns !
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!
(Installment #11) “Catholic Hymnals” • Alfred Calabrese
Book Review: “The First Christian Hymnal”
Place Me Among the Sheep, Not the Goats
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.
“Homily — 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A” • Father Valentine Young, OFM
Knowledge is having the facts. Wisdom is knowing what to do with them.
PDF Download • Rare 1970 Document Explains “Spoken vs. Sung Propers”
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”)+
Geeky Virtual Pipe Organ Options
Setting up a virtual pipe organ based on a tiny credit-card sized computer for your home studio.
“Homily for the Feast of All Saints” (November 1st) • Father Valentine Young, OFM
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…
* Live Rec. • “Absolution of the Body” (Gregorian Chant)
When a catafalque is used—instead of a dead body—the priest does not say the “Non Intres” prayer.
PDF Download • Beautiful Requiem Mass Image
“Every diocese, almost every church, had its own customs. Our present rule dates from the revived missal of 1570.”
“New” Cracked Altar Defaces Baroque Church
This travesty has been called “extensive restoration.”
ICEL added “Died” to the Nicene Creed • (I am not kidding!)
I bet you never noticed this, but here’s the proof! • Believe it or not, the Nicene Creed never says Our Lord “died,” and this article provides full documentation; also included are beautiful manuscript images from the greatest Dutch illuminated manuscript in the world: Catherine of Cleves Hours (15th century MS.)+