CAPG's Blog 

The Introit Gaudeamus omnes

"To the Editor, THE ECCLESIASTICAL REVIEW.

Every well instructed Catholic knows the meaning and the importance of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Without the graces emanating from this Sacrifice and without those granted by the Eucharistic presence of our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, the Church established by Christ on earth would not have been able to withstand for 1900 years the attacks aimed at her by the powers of hell. Through the daily renewal of the unbloody Sacrifice, and through the frequent reception of Holy Communion, the Catholic receives sufficient strength to overcome the temptations of the flesh, the world, and the devil.

Christ's words, "Behold! I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world," are an assurance that the bark of St. Peter will not succumb to any storm.

In their satanic hate, the enemies of Holy Church have attempted by trickery and by the enactment of prohibitory laws to render the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass impossible. We hope and pray that their efforts may never succeed either in this or any other country.

Knowing the infinite fruits of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the Church has issued certain rules for an appropriate celebration of it. Although the so-called Low Mass and a solemn High Mass are the same renewal in an unbloody manner of the Sacrifice on the Cross, the ritual stresses the importance and style of music to be used in the latter ceremony. The late Pope Pius X, of blessed memory, issued special instructions in regard to this. He was solicitous to have the singing and the music of Mass appropriate to the solemnity and holiness of the sacrifice.

As a result there has been a reform of our church music and, although many abuses have been eradicated, perfection has not been attained. In order to obtain better and more satisfactory results, it occurs to me, three things are necessary:

1. The firm wish and will of the pastor to promote good church music.
2. The ability and the desire of the organist to use none other.
3. The cooperation of talented members of the parish who have good voices and who are at the same time zealous, imbued with a spirit of self-sacrifice, willing to join the choir and to attend rehearsals regularly.

Even though the pastor and the organist do all in their power in this respect, our organists experience great difficulty in obtaining new members for their choirs. This is no doubt due to the spirit of frivolity and the desire for pleasure which have taken possession of many of the younger generation of Catholics. This is especially true in our city parishes, while in the country the fact that many members live too far from the church is offered as an excuse.

One would naturally think that the increasing number of daily communicants would effect a change in these conditions.

Is it not logical to conclude that among those who receive their Eucharistic Lord frequently there should be many who would be willing to utilize their voice for making the divine services more solemn and edifying?

Unfortunately, there is an increasing number of complaints from organists that they find it difficult to get additional singers, or even to retain those who have been members of their choirs. It is but natural that such choir directors become discouraged and finally seek some other means of livelihood.

But in addition to this prevalent spirit of frivolity and the selfish pursuit of pleasure, there must be another reason for this deplorable condition.

In the writer's opinion, it would be unjust to place the blame entirely upon the organist and director.

Even though the pastor must devote his time to the more important duties of administering the Sacraments, conducting divine services, preaching, imparting instructions, etc., it devolves upon him to take also an active interest in the choir. Not only should he be a critical observer of all things pertaining to it, but he should also cooperate heartily with the organist and director.

The pastor's authority is indeed superior to that of the organist or choir director.

In what way can the pastor and his assistants help to cooperate in this movement?

1. By frequent attendance at rehearsals and there encouraging the singers and the organist.
2. By granting them special favors, such as, taking them on an outing or an excursion, or providing other forms of pleasure and amusement, even though it require a financial sacrifice on the part of the parish.
3. By occasional reference to the reward which the singers earn by the sacrifices made and by their participation in the divine services, which they help to make more solemn and impressive and thus edify those in attendance. Reference might be made to the fact that those who persevere as singers in the church choir may one day join the heavenly choir in singing God's praises.
4. By encouraging the parochial school children who have good voices to join the children's choir, whence later on they may be advanced to the adult choir. The director of the children's choir is in a position to observe those gifted with musical voices and talent who later on may be acceptable as members of the adult choir.

A word from the pastor would be sufficient to keep the child interested. A child would be highly elated if, for instance, the pastor should say: "John, I expect that some day you will be a member of our big choir. Continue to be the same good boy, diligent and attentive, and later on you may help our good organist to have a fine choir," etc.

Words of encouragement should be imparted frequently so that the children may learn the significance and the importance of a good choir.

The writer is not a confirmed optimist, but he is convinced that there will be a marked improvement in our church choirs, if the pastors cooperate harmoniously and actively with the organist and director. The writer is one of many who have experienced the trials and tribulations of A CATHOLIC ORGANIST."

Source: American Ecclesiastical Review, Volume 72 Herman Joseph Heuser Catholic University of America Press, 1925. p 633

Tibi, Christe, Splendor Patris by Gloriae Dei Cantores

Jesu, brightness of the Father!
Life and strength of all who live!
In the presence of the Angels,
Glory to Thy name we give,
And Thy wondrous praise rehearse,
Singing in alternate verse.

Hail, too ye angelic powers!
Hail ye thrones celestial!
Hail, Physician of salvation,
Guide of life, blest Raphael!
Who the foe of all mankind
didst in kinks of iron bind.

O may Christ, by the protection,
Shelter us from harm this day;
Keep us pure in flesh and spirit,
Save us from the enemy;
And vouchsafe us, of His grace,
In His paradise a place.

Glory to Th' Almighty Father
Sing we now in anthems sweet;
Glory to the great Redeemer,
Glory to the Paraclete;
Three in one, and one in three,
Throughout all eternity, Amen.

Source: Manual of Prayers for the Use of the Catholic Laity, The Official Prayer Book of the Catholic Church, 1916 Prepared and published by the order of the Third Plenary Council of Baltimore.

Prayer to Saint Raphael

Glorious Archangel, St. Raphael, great prince of the heavenly court, illustrious by thy gifts of wisdom and grace, guide of travelers by
land and sea, consoler of the unfortunate and refuge of sinners, I entreat thee to help me in all my needs and in all the trials of my life, as
thou didst once assist the young Tobias in his journeying And since thou art the "physician of God," I humbly pray thee to heal my soul of its many infirmities and my body of the ills that afflict it, if this favor is for my greater good. I ask, especially, for angelic purity, that I may be made fit to be the living  temple of the Holy Ghost. Amen.  Pope Leo XIII, June 21, 1890
Source: My Prayer Book, Fr. Lasance

Prayer to the Holy Angels for Parishes

All you legions and choirs of Angels, please make haste to come to the aid and defense of our One Holy Roman Catholic Church. Led by St. Michael, may She be protected from destruction within by all modernistic attempts that try to diminish the true presence of God and take away His proper and due respect! In particular, come to the aid of my parish (name your parish) that it may remain or be remade to be a place of reverence and a stronghold from which the One True Triune God may continue to lead and strengthen us. Amen.