The songs and hymns were pleasantly familiar … to the point where after twelve years I could play by heart every song in the 'Breaking Bread' hymnal. Read more →
“What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too…” Pope Benedict XVI (7 July 2007)
This is one of the thirty Gospel Acclamations included in the Vatican II Hymnal.
Alleluia in honor of Father Paul Ragueneau • Congregational insert:
Return to the Vatican II Hymnal
Our Articles • Some Examples
There must have been a need for such a booklet, otherwise he would not have gone to the trouble of creating it! Read more →
If your priest approaches you after Mass and says the music sounded horrible, it's incorrect to reply: “Well, that's how it's supposed to be.” Read more →
“Work hasn’t even begun on the next Lectionary, and there’s nothing definite about 2028 as a date.” — Father Andrew V. Menke, director of the USCCB liturgical committee Read more →
In addition to this rare book by Max Springer (870 pages), I release the draft copy of a new Gregorian project (157 pages). Read more →
Musicians can have a stronger voice than even the legendary Fulton J. Sheen! Read more →
She said: “Jeff, you should record these harmonies with human voices, to illustrate what you mean.” Read more →
The motu proprio 𝑇𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑖𝑠 𝐶𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑑𝑒𝑠 “hit him pretty hard” says the private secretary to the Pope Emeritus. Read more →
Dr. Peter Wagner, a famous musicologist, founded the “Gregorian Academy” in Freiburg (Switzerland). Read more →
From his place of retirement, he sent a private letter following “Traditionis Custodes” (a document which attempted to strangle the Traditional Mass). Read more →
Saint John Vianney, while in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, could scarcely speak or breathe (so moved was he). Read more →
This morning I sat down and arranged what—in my view—is one of the beautiful Christmas carols. Read more →
Anyone who’s ever stood in front of a choir knows the choirmaster’s vocation is not an easy one. Read more →
A mother describes her son’s love for the Mass. He memorizes and recruits friends to “play Mass.” We are a people of hope. Read more →
In my humble opinion, that 'explanation' is sheer, unadulterated gobbledygook. Read more →
I don't know a more powerful exposition on the Holy Eucharist than this striking hymn by Archbishop Pecham! Read more →
Fascinating details from never-before-seen letters recently discovered in southern France! Read more →
… including a deliciously dazzling discovery you won't want to miss! Read more →
There's nothing necessarily authentic about the "authentic" rhythm. Read more →
You look upon these thousands of manuscripts in much the same way that I view the plainsong editions of Guillaume-Gabriel Nivers. Read more →
Dom Gajard said to Jean Langlais: “Hear the blackbird! It doesn’t know what an 'ictus' is, yet it sings better than we.” Read more →
I’m not embarrassed, because these practice videos save us time during rehearsals. Read more →
They were not allowed to remove their boots, so thousands had their feet amputated (as the frostbite often turned into gangrene). Read more →
This book makes it easy for singers who only know Treble Clef. Read more →
Including three (3) professionally-scanned versions of the Kyriale, released here for the 1st time! Read more →
Church music should not be boring! Here I provide eleven (11) ways to keep it awesome. Read more →
Including a few brief responses to Professor Charles Weaver. Read more →
Preparing this blog, I discovered interesting snippets about the hymn, the composer, the translator, and even the poet who penned these lines in Latin! Read more →
Ostrowski, wishing to avoid fussiness, may justifiably refuse this invitation. But to argue, as he has, that these signs and the prayerful and aesthetic movements they embody are “illicit” is just wildly off the mark. Read more →
The second half of today's article answers questions submitted by Mr. Matthew Frederes. Read more →
Mr. Williams, today I challenge you (please) to provide direct responses for two questions. Read more →
I will not insult your intelligence by telling you what I suspect happened. Read more →
Including two (2) documents translated into English for the first time! Read more →
“Missa Back-To-The-Future” (a recent OCP offering) isn't part of the treasury mandated by Vatican II; nor do I belong on the basketball court with Michael Jordan. Read more →
Three words: “Sleek, Powerful, and Gorgeous” Read more →
My colleague, Patrick Williams has agreed to enter into a “colloquy” with me vis-à-vis Gregorian rhythm. Read more →
Mark your calendars for this life-changing conference! Read more →
Our Lord said that if men withheld their praise of Him, “the very stones would cry out…” Read more →
There's something truly 'haunting' about this melody by Flor Peeters—and once it's in your head, it's hard to banish! Read more →
The principal books of music for the Eucharist were recently (re-)confirmed by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Read more →
I never knew these existed until earlier today! Read more →
Father Weinmann placed plainsong on five (5) lines, yet still used Gregorian notation—including chord symbols! Read more →
“The portable organ shall be lowered into the quire to accompany the singers, who shall sing solos in their order of seniority…” —1604 document Read more →
Installment 4 • “How Has Nobody Done This Before?” (series) Read more →
This short piece shimmers with beauty. The arrangement is by Monsignor René Moissenet. Read more →
A professor at our conservatory always told us: “An example is worth 1,000 words.” Read more →
Fulton J. Sheen told a story about a man who bumped into Abraham Lincoln yelling: “Get out of my way, you big ugly lummox!” Read more →
“I ended up spending hours, transcribing each and every word from Father Fryar’s Symposium lecture. Although it took many hours, I relished the process.” —Corrinne May Read more →
Here's my attempt at recording all the voices myself, to give you a rough idea how it sounds. Read more →