Liturgical Music as participation in Christ
Singing the Mass — Part One a three-part series by Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted St. Augustine recounts in his autobiography “Confessions” an experience he had during the singing of the Mass: “How I wept, deeply moved by your hymns, songs, and the voices that echoed...
Liturgical Music as participation in Christ
Singing the Mass — Part One a three-part series by Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted St. Augustine recounts in his autobiography “Confessions” an experience he had during the singing of the Mass: “How I wept, deeply moved by your hymns, songs, and the voices that echoed...
Recent columns
A short history of liturgical music
Singing the Mass — Part Two a three-part series by Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted In the first part of this series on sacred music, I described the meaning of sacred music, the music of the Church’s sacred liturgy, as distinct from “religious music.” In this second...
Sacred music’s role in evangelization
Singing the Mass — Part Three a three-part series by Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted In the first part of this series on sacred music, I described the meaning of sacred music, and the difference between the music of the Church’s sacred liturgy and “religious music” (Dec. 15,...
Response to Fr. McTeigue: A Convert’s View
Parishes thrive or stumble toward closure for reasons that are obvious and straightforward, provided we’re willing to see what’s right in front of us. No more excuses!
Response to Father Robert McTeigue
This column is in response to the article written by Fr. Robert McTeigue, titled “What Many Priests No Longer Believe”, published March 29, 2023 on Homiletic & Pastoral Review (hprweb.com) and reposted here on ChantWorks.com.
These Sacred Mysteries
with James Cavanagh
It’s OK to Be a Liturgy Nerd
There is hardly anything quite as exciting as reading liturgical instructions.
The Fourth Gospel
In the extraordinary form of the Latin rite, it is customary to read the prologue to the Gospel of John at the end of Mass. Some think this is not only unnecessary, but liturgically nonsensical.
First impressions: The entrance chant
You know the old saying, You don’t get a second chance to make a good first impression. This maxim is important in almost every area of life, but it’s certainly true when it comes to the Mass.
The order of worship and the tranquility of order
The waters saw you O God, the waters saw you and trembled; the very depths were shaken. (Psalm 76:16) Let all things be done decently and according to order. (1 Corinthian 14:40) When God appears, chaos, death and disorder flee. In the Bible, placid water symbolizes...
Four things you can do to elevate the importance of the Eucharist
The meaning of the Eucharist in the life of the Church, and four practical things your parish can do to nurture “an ever deeper understanding of the beauty and mystery of the Eucharist.”
The Poison of Subjectivism
C.S. Lewis’ ‘The Poison of Subjectivism’ and its implications for liturgy and the future of the Church.
The Music Stand
with Diana Silva
Response to Father Robert McTeigue
This column is in response to the article written by Fr. Robert McTeigue, titled “What Many Priests No Longer Believe”, published March 29, 2023 on Homiletic & Pastoral Review (hprweb.com) and reposted here on ChantWorks.com.
Parish Liturgy Committee meetings (almost) everywhere
SETTING: conference room at local parish
Dear Moses
Dear Moses, This is Sarah, down here in the desert. I want to tell you what is going on down here since you went up on the mountain. Some people are upset because we do not see you face to face and you seem to be worshipping God without us. It's as though you have...
Christmas Treasures
Dig up this treasure, dust it off, and let it shine until it is put back in its proper place in the liturgy.
A Meditation on Three Christmas Songs
Away in a Manger In Luke’s gospel, the angel appears to the shepherds and announces that a Savior has been born, and that they will find him wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. Why did the angel appear to the shepherds, and why did he bother to mention...
Has Mass begun?
Based on a true story
Fiddling while Rome burns
The myth goes that Nero played the fiddle while Rome burned. In reality, the fiddle as we know it hadn't been invented. Fiddle while Rome burns, has come to mean neglecting one’s duties while instead doing something frivolous. In fact, the word “fiddling” has come to...
Meeting people where they are
We should meet people where they are is one of the most common reasons given for the secular-sounding popular music we hear at Mass. You can’t feed a baby steak, is a reason given to provide children’s Masses with music that is modeled on pre-school television entertainment.
Eucharist as source and summit? Help my unbelief!
As Covid restrictions lifted, and as bishops revoked the dispensation to attend Mass in person, who actually returned? So many faithful Catholics have been watching Mass streaming online, and not necessarily from their home parishes.
Just before we sing
I am sitting on the stage in the first row of a large symphony chorus. The orchestra is in front of me, warming up. Everyone is playing individual passages and scales all at once. Beyond that, there's a vast audience. There's a low rumble as people speak softly, find...
Upstream
with Linda Graber
Response to Fr. McTeigue: A Convert’s View
Parishes thrive or stumble toward closure for reasons that are obvious and straightforward, provided we’re willing to see what’s right in front of us. No more excuses!
Are we smarter than St. Thomas Aquinas?
Easy question. Easy answer. No. We are not smarter than St. Thomas Aquinas.
Exit ramp under construction?
California freeways are a handy metaphor for worrisome situations and difficult choices: traffic-choked, pockmarked with potholes, and lined with litter. Exit ramps shoot off in all directions.
Off the muskeg, onto solid ground
The Tollund Man was found in a bog. He lived during the 4th century. The responsibilities of free will have vexed man for centuries.Shortcutting across a muskeg bog during a Rocky Mountain backpacking trip is an epically bad decision. From a distance, the muskeg bog...
Upstream
If politics is downstream from culture, what’s upstream? Welcome to Bafflegab & Associates. Founded by the Bafflegab sisters, Propaganda and Censorship, the company’s success is found in a number of historic disruptions. This highly-esteemed consulting firm spans...
View from the Pew
with Mike Silva
When did beauty become a problem?
Beauty will save the world. It saved me. I was a cradle Catholic. I attended Catholic school and walked away from the church at age 15. However good or bad my reasons, there is no question that the church no longer inspired me. She no longer commanded awe, even...
Additional Insight
with guest authors
Liturgical Music as participation in Christ
Singing the Mass — Part One a three-part series by Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted St. Augustine recounts in his autobiography “Confessions” an experience he had during the singing of the Mass: “How I wept, deeply moved by your hymns, songs, and the voices that echoed...
A short history of liturgical music
Singing the Mass — Part Two a three-part series by Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted In the first part of this series on sacred music, I described the meaning of sacred music, the music of the Church’s sacred liturgy, as distinct from “religious music.” In this second...
Sheet music
Chanted Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark—for practice or meditation
Chanted Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark—for practice or meditation
A chanted prayer to Saint Michael
A new chanted setting of the Prayer to St. Michael.