Transform Your Free-standing Altar!
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Corpus Christi 2013 - Ellicott City
Solemn High Mass for the Feast of Corpus Christi was celebrated according to the Extraordinary Form on Thursday, May 30 at St. Paul's Church in Ellicott City, Maryland.
The Mass was followed by a procession through the grounds of the church, concluding with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
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The Mass was followed by a procession through the grounds of the church, concluding with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
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Zelenka! Unjustly Overlooked?
I'm momentarily reviving my old habit of digging up obscure composers of baroque liturgical music and believing that they have been unjustly overlooked.
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The Spirit of the Liturgy from Benedict to Francis
A
bbot Michael Zielinski OSB from the Vatican's Congregation for Divine Worship discusses the differences and similarities between the liturgical approaches of Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis. (Catholic News Service)↧
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Society for Catholic Liturgy - Call for Papers Deadline Extended
The 2013 annual conference of the Society for Catholic Liturgy will be held October 3-5 at St. Mary on the Lake in Mundelein, Ill.
The deadline for paper proposals has just been extended to July 15. The call for submissions is available here.
The subject of the conference is "The Sacraments at the Service of Communion: Holy Orders and Matrimony." The topic is specific, but can be interpreted rather broadly; as suggested by the call for papers, a possible topic could include an answer to the question, "How does the nuptial nature of liturgy as Wedding Feast of the Lamb affect liturgical texts, arts, architecture, and music?"
The deadline for paper proposals has just been extended to July 15. The call for submissions is available here.
The subject of the conference is "The Sacraments at the Service of Communion: Holy Orders and Matrimony." The topic is specific, but can be interpreted rather broadly; as suggested by the call for papers, a possible topic could include an answer to the question, "How does the nuptial nature of liturgy as Wedding Feast of the Lamb affect liturgical texts, arts, architecture, and music?"
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Pope Francis and Bishop Fernando Arêas Rifan
These are wonderful images of Pope Francis with Bishop Fernando Arêas Rifan , who is the Apostolic Administrator of the Personal Apostolic Administration of Saint John Mary Vianney, which is also called the Priestly Union of Saint Jean-Marie Vianney. He maintains the administration of the Extraordinary Form Mass in Campos, Brazil.
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St. Gertrude Reports that Jesus Sang Mass Propers
From a book published in 1880, now available on Google books:
St. Gertrude saw our Lord Jesus Christ celebrate Mass in a mystical manner: On Gaudete Sunday [Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete means "Rejoice")], as Gertrude prepared to communicate at the first Mass-----which commences "Rorate"-----she complained to Our Lord that she could not hear Mass; but Our Lord, Who compassionates the afflicted, consoled her, saying: "Do you wish, My beloved, that I should say Mass for you?" Then, being suddenly rapt in spirit, she replied: "I do desire it, O Beloved of my soul, and I most ardently beseech Thee to grant me this favor." Our Lord then intoned the Gaudete in Domino semper ["Rejoice in the Lord always"] with a choir of Saints to incite this soul to praise and rejoice in Him; and as He sat on His royal throne, St. Gertrude cast herself at His feet and embraced them. Then He chanted the Kyrie eleison ["Lord, have mercy"] in a clear and loud voice, while two of the princes of the choir of Thrones took her soul and brought it before God the Father, where she remained prostrate.
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Corpus Christi - France and Louisville (Again!)
Yet again Louisville makes the list! This time from Guardian Angels Catholic Church. The procession was held following one of their Masses in the Ordinary Form, though many of the faithful who attended the Extraordinary Form earlier in the day also came for the procession, increasing the size of the congregation.
We also have pictures from a procession in France. I do not know French, nor did the reader who sent me the link give me any more information, but more information can be found here for those who are inclined.
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Louisville:
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We also have pictures from a procession in France. I do not know French, nor did the reader who sent me the link give me any more information, but more information can be found here for those who are inclined.
France:
Louisville:
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Blessed Sacrament Procession in Oxford, England
H
ere are photographs of the Blessed Sacrament Procession in Oxford last Sunday. The Blessed Sacrament was carried by Bishop William Kenney CP, V. Rev. John O'Connor OP (Prior of Blackfriars) and Fr Simon Bishop SJ (University Chaplain). The procession started at the Oratory, stopped at Blackfriars for a sermon by Fr Robert Ombres OP and finished at the University Chaplaincy with Benediction. There were over 400 people present. (Photos: Brother Oliver Craddock)
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"They Look Like Warehouses" - The Director of the Vatican Museums on the New Churches of Rome
“They look like warehouses.” In an article published a few weeks ago, the website of the Italian daily La Repubblica quotes Antonio Paolucci, the director of the Vatican Museums, giving a highly negative assessment of some of the newest churches in the residential quarters of Rome. “Spaces that do not invite (us) to meditation, devoid of the sense of the sacred, without a breath of mystery or religion.” His words were delivered in the presence of the Cardinal Vicar of Rome, H.E. Agostino Vallini, at a conference to present a new book titled “The Churches of the Perifery of Rome.” (“Periferia” is the standard Italian word for “residential areas” outside the historical center.) Dr. Paolucci’s critique rings all the more loudly because he is also the superintendent of the entire artistic patrimony of the Holy See, a position he formerly held within the Italian government; among his many other achievements, he has served as an Extraordinary Commissioner for the restoration of the Basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi after it was badly damaged in the earthquake of 1997, and as director of the principle system of museums in Florence. He went on to say,
The La Repubblica article also contains a link to some photographs of a few of the new churches; take a look and see if you think Dr. Paolucci is right.
“…having looked over the book several times, I cannot fail to notice how much confusion reigns under the skies of Rome in regard to the new churches. … Churches? Parishes? At best, museum spaces, room that do not invite (us) to prayer and meditation … nothing like the Baroque churches which for ages have spoken of the Christian faith with clearly visible tabernacles, domes, icons, images of the life of the Church which help the parish priests in their catecheses.”In an article on the website of the English newspaper The Telegraph, Dr. Paolucci’s critique is backed up by Gianfranco Cardinal Ravasi, President of the Pontifical Council for Culture. It is not clear whether the header of the article is a quote or a paraphrase, but it seems to sum up the problem with so much of modern ecclesiastical architecture perfectly: “Modern Catholic churches … are built more with the aim of winning design awards than worshipping God.”
The La Repubblica article also contains a link to some photographs of a few of the new churches; take a look and see if you think Dr. Paolucci is right.
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| An external view of the Church of the Holy Face of Jesus on the via Magliana. |
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| The internal view of the sanctuary and the large glass wall seen above from outside. |
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Traditional Mass at Notre Dame, Paris
On May 29, the parish of Saint-Eugène-Sainte-Cécile in Paris made a pilgrimage to Notre Dame, Paris, to celebrate a votive Mass of dedication, marking the 850th anniversary of the construction of the Cathedral. These amazing photographs come from the Schola Sainte Cécile blog where you can also listen to a recording of the Mass. (Photos: Gonzague Bridault)
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Too Late for the Colloquium? Maybe not!
I've heard that there have been a few people drop out of the Sacred Music Colloquium. Though registrations are actually closed, you still might be able to register. It starts in 9 days, so now is the time.![]()
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An Art School in Florence that Teaches the Naturalistic Tradition that has a Christian Ethos
The Russian Academy of Art in Florence, is one of a number of traditional schools that have been established in recent years. I am told that it was founded about three years ago and that the atmosphere is Christian - this is important, some of these traditional schools are antagonistic to the Church. It has the strong emphasis on drawing that one would expect at a school teaching traditional methods. As important as the teaching of the skill of drawing and painting are the ways that the artist is taught to introduce stylistic elements into the painting. This is done through control of the intensity of colour and focus (ie the blurriness of the image); and it is as important as the accuracy of the draughtsmanship in creating a picture of beauty that conforms to its tradition and the taste of the teacher is hugely important in governing this, because there are no set formulas that can dictate it. I have just been looking at the website of the work of their students and teachers and at first sight I am impressed.
For comparison, readers might like to look at the gallery of the artists from the Art Renewal Center which shows work derived from Western European academic art of the 19th century. I prefer the style of the works of the Russian school. What is noticeable is how their figures are not charged with any eroticism (which is very common in those that appear on the ARC gallery). Also there are hardly any nude figures amongst the selection. When I asked Jacqueline about this she told me that she did no studies of nudes at all in her training. She spoke of a strong sense of modesty because the founder is Christian (they wouldn't offer housing to couples who were not married for example). She also told me that the convention in this tradition, as she understood it, is to paint male figures wearing at least loin cloth. All of this is very heartening if correct just goes to show that you don't need to study the nude in order to learn to draw well.
The photographs as well, I hope, give you a sense of the the style of work the school produces. They are figures studies and not sacred art, but the sort of thing that one must be able to do well if one is going to paint sacred art well. They are by a teacher at the school called Svetlana Kurbatskaya.
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For comparison, readers might like to look at the gallery of the artists from the Art Renewal Center which shows work derived from Western European academic art of the 19th century. I prefer the style of the works of the Russian school. What is noticeable is how their figures are not charged with any eroticism (which is very common in those that appear on the ARC gallery). Also there are hardly any nude figures amongst the selection. When I asked Jacqueline about this she told me that she did no studies of nudes at all in her training. She spoke of a strong sense of modesty because the founder is Christian (they wouldn't offer housing to couples who were not married for example). She also told me that the convention in this tradition, as she understood it, is to paint male figures wearing at least loin cloth. All of this is very heartening if correct just goes to show that you don't need to study the nude in order to learn to draw well.
The photographs as well, I hope, give you a sense of the the style of work the school produces. They are figures studies and not sacred art, but the sort of thing that one must be able to do well if one is going to paint sacred art well. They are by a teacher at the school called Svetlana Kurbatskaya.
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There was a time when such things were unthinkable
Today the old Latin Mass is oddly taken for granted. This is what liberalization feels like. The Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, (FSSP) will celebrate a Solemn High Mass, Saturday, June 8, at 5:30 pm in the crypt church of the Basilica Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C. All are invited
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High Mass in the Extraordinary Form at St Mary Moorfields, London
A High Mass (Missa Solemnis) in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite was celebrated at St Mary Moorfields yesterday in the City of London, on the feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
The Mass was organised by Juventutem UK and was celebrated by Fr James Bradley, a Priest of the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham, assisted by Fr William Young (Deacon) and Canon Peter Newby (Subdeacon). The Schola sang the plainchant Propers for the feast and Mass IV.
The Homily for the Mass can be found on Fr Bradley's website. (Photos: Alex Robertson & Charles Cole)
The Mass was organised by Juventutem UK and was celebrated by Fr James Bradley, a Priest of the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham, assisted by Fr William Young (Deacon) and Canon Peter Newby (Subdeacon). The Schola sang the plainchant Propers for the feast and Mass IV.
The Homily for the Mass can be found on Fr Bradley's website. (Photos: Alex Robertson & Charles Cole)
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Latin Propers for the 10th Sunday of the Year
Recordings of all five are readily available.
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Jobs Bank for Church Musicians
I had never planned on the forum at MusicaSacra.com to become a jobs bank, but that turns out to be a very valuable feature of the forum there. In general, this forum operates 24/7 to reveal answers to the myriad problems musicians have in bringing sacred music to their parishes. But this one feature has a most direct impact on people's lives. If you are pastor and you need a person to lead chant or play organ, this is the place to post. If you are singer or organist looking for a position, this can be very fruitful. Here is the place. This month alone, there has been a posting each day about a new position. This is a very good indication of where we are headed. When the job market fires up, things are getting real.![]()
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A Corpus Christi Procession in Russia
Rome Reports has posted the following account of a Corpus Christi procession in the Russian city of St. Petersburg, the first to be held outside of a church building in 95 years.
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Organ recording from the London Oratory
Matthew Martin, Organist of the London Oratory, has made a recording which was released earlier this year. The recording, on the Oratory’s historic 1954 Walker/Downes organ, is now available from iTunes as well as from Amazon (UK) and is part of Priory’s Great European Organs series. The CD includes works by Buxtehude, Cornet, Lebegue, de Grigny (with Gregorian chant alternatim verses), as well as twentieth century composers Demessieux, Duruflé, Tournemire and Litaize. ★★★★★ Choir & Organ
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Here is the first track, the Buxtehude Magnificat:
Full track listing:
1. Magnificat primi toni BuxVW 203, Dieterich Buxtehude
2. Ach Herr, mich armen Sunder BuxVV 178, Dieterich Buxtehude
Antiphon: Regina caeli (4vs), Pieter Cornet
3. Regina caeli, laetare
4. Qui quem meruisti portare
5. Resurrexit, sicut dixit
6. Ora pro nobis Deum
7. Offertoire sur le Chant d’O filii et filae, Nicolas Lebegue
Hymn: Pange lingua (3vs)*, Nicolas de Grigny
8. En taille (vs 2 chant)
9. Fugue à 5 (vs 4 chant)
10. Récit du chant de l’hymne precedent (vs 6 chant)
11. Te Deum, Jeanne Demessieux
12. Prélude sur l’introit de l’Epiphanie, Maurice Duruflé
13. Reges tharsis, Gaston Litaize
14. Épiphanie, Gaston Litaize
15. Paraphrase on Regina caeli, Guy Weitz
From l’Orgue Mystique, Charles Tournemire:
Office 48, All Saints:
16. Offertoire
Office 51, 23rd Sunday after Pentecost:
17. Fantaisie sur le Te Deum et Guirlandes Alleluiatiques
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