Category Archives: Sacred Music

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

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!

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

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!

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

Sacred Music is not like Frosting on a Cake!

Help! Somebody call Pope Francis! I can’t find the official Latin edition of the principal text for understanding the role of Sacred Music in the Liturgy. You ask, “what is the fundamental text about the role of Sacred Music in the … Continue reading

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Do You Actually Participate at Mass?

As a parish Music Director, like Garrison Keillor’s Guy Noir Private Eye, I find myself trying to find answers to one of life’s most persistent questions: How can I contribute to that “full, conscious and active participation in the ceremonies” that the fathers … Continue reading

Posted in beauty, Music, Sacred Music, Sacrosanctum Consilium, The Mass | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Catholic Classical Education Is About Life

Catholic classical education, by the way, is primarily ordered to life. The whole point of classical education is life. To spread life. To increase life. To enrich life. To propagate and widen its extension. To deepen it and strengthen it. … Continue reading

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The Lyceum Schola Cantorum On The March!

The Lyceum just returned from its annual pilgrimage to Washington D.C. to join with more than 500,000 other zealous people braving single digits to peacefully protest the Nation’s continued tolerance of abortion. Tuesday January 21, 4:30 AM students and faculty board … Continue reading

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“Active Participation” or “Actual Participation?”

There is a great article over there at newliturgicalmovement that deals with this text, significant to the worship of every Catholic: “Mother Church earnestly desires that all the faithful should be led to that full, conscious and active participation in … Continue reading

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Alleluia! In Resurectione Tua

Happy Easter! This is the day the Lord has made: all time and truth is God’s alone. Let heaven rejoice, let earth be glad, and praise surround high heaven’s throne. This is the day Christ rose from death; evil’s strong … Continue reading

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