Category Archives: Sacred Music

Insipid Church Music: A Role in the Crisis?

Posted on September 19, 2018 by

As a liturgical musician I can’t help wondering to what extent the insipid and vapid music prevalent in our churches has contributed to the present crisis. That there is more than a mere coincidental connection between the squishy feel-good liturgical music … Continue reading →

Posted in Homer, Homer Sightings, Sacred Music, Socrates, The Mass | Tagged , , , | 51 Comments

Classical Catholic Education and Sacred Music!

Posted on May 1, 2018 by

The Catholic classical school is the proper place for the formation of students in sacred music. Every student should sing. Every student can sing. No exceptions. The Church depends on it. Lyceum students demonstrated the truth of this once again! … Continue reading →

Posted in beauty, classical education, liberal education, Sacred Music, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Today, Sing “Ubi Caritas!”

Posted on March 29, 2018 by

Today, Holy Thursday, is the day for singing the ancient chant Ubi Caritas! UBI caritas et amor, Deus ibi est. Congregavit nos in unum Christi amor. Exultemus, et in ipso iucundemur. Timeamus, et amemus Deum vivum. Et ex corde diligamus nos … Continue reading →

Posted in beauty, Easter, Feasts, Sacred Music, Sacrosanctum Consilium, The Mass, The Passion | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Celebrating Christ The King Sunday In A Democratic Republic

Posted on November 24, 2017 by

Can we all just admit it? The chief disadvantage of living in the “greatest nation on God’s green earth” is that we Americans find it just a little tougher to sympathize with and even celebrate Monarchy. I mean, wouldn’t we … Continue reading →

Posted in Aquinas, Sacred Music | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

How Do You Restore Sacred Music? A Diocesan Directive Would Help.

Posted on July 29, 2017 by

I have no idea how his pastoral directive was received, but a belated bravo to Bishop John F. Doerfler of the Diocese of Marquette! Although given on January 26, 2016, I had only become aware of his pastoral directive  on sacred music … Continue reading →

Posted in beauty, Custom, Sacred Music, Sacrosanctum Consilium, The Mass | Tagged , , , | 13 Comments

Is There Such a Thing as Catholic Music?

Posted on April 1, 2017 by

A choir loft is a good place to get a whole view of what is going on at Mass. In fact, it is the only place in a Church where a bird’s-eye view is possible. Of course it is mostly a … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Sacred Music, Sacrosanctum Consilium, The Mass | Tagged , , , , | 18 Comments

Is the Four-Hymn Mass What the Church Really Wants?

Posted on March 25, 2017 by

Happy Fiftieth Anniversary Musicam Sacram ! What is Musicam Sacram? Published on March 5th, 1967, Musicam Sacram is the official Instruction on Music issued by the Congregation for Divine Worship following the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council. Musicam Sacram is the document … Continue reading →

Posted in Fine Arts, Sacred Music, Sacrosanctum Consilium, The Mass | Tagged , , , , | 24 Comments

The Secret to Beautiful Liturgy: Leave it to the Kids!

Posted on February 11, 2017 by

O Lord our Lord, how admirable is thy name in the whole earth! For thy magnificence is elevated above the heavens. Out of the mouth of infants and of sucklings thou hast perfected praise… Recently I attended a simple daily Mass … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Sacred Music, Sacrosanctum Consilium, The Mass, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 18 Comments

What I Did on My Summer Vacation

Posted on August 30, 2016 by

I have often repeated the words of a wise teacher, who has now passed on from this dusty earth straight to heaven. (nonetheless I will still continue to send prayers up for his soul in grateful memory of the benefits … Continue reading →

Posted in beauty, liberal education works, Sacred Music, slavery, summer vacation, Work | Tagged , , , , | 18 Comments

The Secret to Beautiful Liturgy: Leave it to the Kids!

Posted on March 14, 2016 by

This morning I attended a simple daily Mass along with 60 students in grades 6-12. Let’s see, that places them somewhere between the ages of 11 and 18. So given that there were only 70 people in the church – … Continue reading →

Posted in beauty, catholic education, Sacred Music, Sacrosanctum Consilium, The Mass | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment