Chant Café

Palestrina’s most famous Mass was written for Pope Marcellus II, who ruled for only 20 days.

L’Osservatore Romano pays tribute.

Despite the hysteria this has generated, I’m happy that the Diocese of Arizona has chosen to take the first step that competent theologians and liturgists have urged for decades: the restoration of the traditional Roman Rite practice of the laity’s receiving, under normal conditions, communion under one form only. I’m aware of all the contrary arguments, but, in the end, I find it very disturbing that most Catholics today are very much under the impression that full communion is not realized unless the laity receive under both forms. I’ve heard this view propounded many times in the classroom and pulpit. The view tends to reinforce the belief that communion is little more than a special meal served to the community. This belief is directly contradictory to the clear statement in the Catechism of the Council of Trent: “If anyone says that each and all the faithful of Christ are by a precept of God or by the necessity of salvation bound to receive both species of the most holy sacrament of the Eucharist, let him be anathema.”

That is our history. That is the teaching. There is good reason for it.

Yes it is true that people love communion under both kinds. I don’t know why that preference should prevail against Catholic teaching.

The Vatican II Hymnal is the dream of millions of Catholics. Note that it has been done by one person and is being distributed by a poor non-profit with no employees. One of the great ironies of history, isn’t it? In any case, here it is. If you care about music in the Catholic Church, you must own at least one, but a better idea is to send the link to the pastor.

Here is more information.

I don’t think there is anywhere else you can download these wonderful sheets of English Psalm tones:

http://musicasacra.com/weber/various

“I would suggest that if we were to characterize those two different approaches, the current translation is a bit flat,” he said. “The ideas are there, but they’ve sort of been squashed. In the new translation, they are re-inflated. They have something of the natural balance that is evident in the Latin. The phrases balance each other perfectly, the ideas are well presented, and you get a greater sense of what the prayer is about.”

This looks like an interesting address, one that appears more spontaneous and detailed than other recent lectures. The full text can be downloaded at itunes at a link from Christendom.