Catholic Scholars and a Skeptical Young Priest
Last Sunday, September 26th, the Schola Cantorum Franciscana had the privilege of singing for the closing Mass of the Fellowship of Catholic Scholars annual meeting, which was held at the Wyndham Pittsburgh Airport Hotel. Most Reverend Donald Wuerl, Bishop of Pittsburgh (PA) was the celebrant. Here is the music we prepared.
Gregorian Chant Propers for the 26th Sunday of Ordinary Time: Introit, Offertory, Communion
Gregorian Mass Ordinary: Missa Jubilate Deo
Agnus Dei, from Missa Jubilate Deo Franciscana (1998), by Calvert Shenk
Responsorial Psalm: Antiphon by S.T., verses sung in English to Tone 5
Communion Motet: O sacrum convivium, by Giovanni Croce
Recessional Hymn: "Firmly I believe and truly" (Tune: SHIPSTON)
In preparation for this Mass I, as director, had to fill in a liturgy planner from the Diocese of Pittsburgh that had been faxed to me via the conference organizers. Already faded when I received it, the liturgy planner was duly filled in and faxed back to the organizers, who faxed it to the bishop's office. On Monday, September 20th I was asked to fax in a darker, clearer copy of what music was planned for Mass. On Friday morning, September 25th, I received a voice mail message that had been left the previous afternoon by a young priest who would be serving as master of ceremonies at the Mass. He voiced his concern that we had programmed too much Latin. When we talked on the telephone I assured him: "Father, I know that you are speaking from a pastoral heart, but I think I can say with confidence that with this group it would be pastoral to have lots of Latin." We then went through the ordo together and he said that, after all, there wasn't as much Latin as he had thought. Furthermore, he said he had to admit that the Fellowship of Catholic Scholars was not a typical parish.
On Sunday morning the Fellowship of Catholic Scholars sang their hearts out on every section of the Mass, even on Credo III. Their voices rang out, full and strong. I wish I could have talked with the young priest, to get his reaction to the enthusiastic and fervent vocal participation of the Catholic Scholars. Laudate Dominum!
Gregorian Chant Propers for the 26th Sunday of Ordinary Time: Introit, Offertory, Communion
Gregorian Mass Ordinary: Missa Jubilate Deo
Agnus Dei, from Missa Jubilate Deo Franciscana (1998), by Calvert Shenk
Responsorial Psalm: Antiphon by S.T., verses sung in English to Tone 5
Communion Motet: O sacrum convivium, by Giovanni Croce
Recessional Hymn: "Firmly I believe and truly" (Tune: SHIPSTON)
In preparation for this Mass I, as director, had to fill in a liturgy planner from the Diocese of Pittsburgh that had been faxed to me via the conference organizers. Already faded when I received it, the liturgy planner was duly filled in and faxed back to the organizers, who faxed it to the bishop's office. On Monday, September 20th I was asked to fax in a darker, clearer copy of what music was planned for Mass. On Friday morning, September 25th, I received a voice mail message that had been left the previous afternoon by a young priest who would be serving as master of ceremonies at the Mass. He voiced his concern that we had programmed too much Latin. When we talked on the telephone I assured him: "Father, I know that you are speaking from a pastoral heart, but I think I can say with confidence that with this group it would be pastoral to have lots of Latin." We then went through the ordo together and he said that, after all, there wasn't as much Latin as he had thought. Furthermore, he said he had to admit that the Fellowship of Catholic Scholars was not a typical parish.
On Sunday morning the Fellowship of Catholic Scholars sang their hearts out on every section of the Mass, even on Credo III. Their voices rang out, full and strong. I wish I could have talked with the young priest, to get his reaction to the enthusiastic and fervent vocal participation of the Catholic Scholars. Laudate Dominum!
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