| April 15, 2010
MONSIGNOR CALKINS – SACRED MUSIC – BLUE CASSOCKS
CHOIR CAMP – HOLY WEEK
Dear Faithful, and Friends of Saint Francis de Sales Oratory,
PRESENTATION BY MONSIGNOR ARTHUR B. CALKINS
 Last Saturday, the Oratory heartily welcomed Monsignor Arthur B. Calkins, who gave an excellent introductory presentation on “Marian Coredemption and Mediation.” Clearly and methodically, Monsignor elucidated on some key points from various papal teachings from the last 150 years. From the 1854 papal bull of Pius IX, 'Ineffabilis Deus,' to the writings of the Venerable Pope John Paul II, the role of our Blessed Mother in the work of our salvation was brought into focus in Msgr. Calkins’ systematic treatment of this topic. For the past 15 years, Msgr. Calkins, a renowned scholar on Marian theology, has worked on this area of Our Lady’s mediatory role. We are very grateful that he came to share it with us.
For those who were unable to attend the presentation, as well as for those who would like to hear it again, an audio recording of last Saturday’s presentation is available on our web site. Please note that loading the talk may take a few minutes, depending on the speed of your Internet connection.
THE SACRED MUSIC OF HOLY WEEK AND EASTER
For centuries the sacred texts of Holy Week and Easter have inspired composers to pen some of the most poignant and beautiful pieces in the entire choral repertoire. It is sometimes forgotten that these inspired words were first set to music at the dawn of the age of grace, with melodies so ancient and shrouded in mystery that they are often said to have been received from the angels themselves. We are speaking of the sacred chant of the Church, called plain chant or Gregorian chant after the pontiff who codified it in the liturgy
Crowning the great body of plain chant are the melodies of the sacred Triduum. The whole breadth of human emotion, substantially united to the divinity in the Sacred Heart of our Savior, is relentlessly examined throughout the Triduum, from the triumphant hymn “Vexilla Regis” to the prophetic lamentations of the Improperia to the divine warmth of the Christus factus est.
Right up to the most recent declarations of the Magisterium, the Church has vigorously reaffirmed the primacy of Gregorian chant in the worship which she offers to her Divine Spouse. “The Church acknowledges Gregorian chant as specially suited to the Roman liturgy: therefore, other things being equal, it should be given pride of place in liturgical services.” - N. 116, Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy Sacrosanctum Concilium of the II. Vatican Council.
Nevertheless, she has always encouraged and generously fostered other musical forms of later periods which, far from being in conflict with the sacred melodies, serve rather as a fitting framework for them.
A famous example of this legitimate musical development is the work of Gregorio Allegri (1582-1652) who composed his famous Miserere under the reign of Urban VIII in the 1630’s. Here sacred polyphony (music for several pitches of voices) finds its place as the handmaid of plain chant. The piece is sung antiphonally between choir and soloists, with an effect that nurtures devotion rather than distraction.
An another memorable example of the glory given to God by sacred polyphony is our Easter Mass for this year: the Missa Bel’ Amfitrit’ Altera by Orlande de Lassus, scored for two choirs and brass ensemble.
At this time of year, all creation seems to join in this joyful Mass in singing the triumph of our risen Lord.
We are especially grateful to Mr. Nick Botkins, Director of Sacred Music and Master of the choirs, and all members of the Schola and Polyphonic Choirs at St. Francis de Sales Oratory.
The Institute of Christ the King offers extensive materials of carefully prepared Gregorian Chant resources for most Sundays and feast throughout the liturgical year on our US web site. ____________________________________
The complete program of sacred music during Holy Week at the Oratory is listed below:
Holy Thursday
Mass in A Minor Cannicciari
Christus Factus Est Asola
Good Friday Popule Meus Victoria/ Gregorian Chant
Crux Fidelis Bartolucci/Gregorian Chant
Miserere Allegri
Caligaverunt Victoria
Crucifixus a 8 Lotti
Holy Saturday
Mass I
Sicut Cervus Palestrina
Dum Transisset Taverner
Easter Sunday Missa “Bel Amfitrit” Lassus
Dum Transisset Taverner
BLUE CASSOCKS
2011
1917
The visit of our Prior General of the Institute, Msgr. Gilles Wach, and the presence of all confreres working in the American Province was a fitting occasion to inaugurate the special attire adopted by servers in the Institute’s apostolates around the world: the blue cassock and shoulder cape, together with the cross bearing the crest of the Institute. The blue color manifests the consecration of the Institute to Mary Immaculate. Such attire, which has been inspired by the choir habit of the members of the Institute, is very similar to the server attire traditionally worn by altar boys in many places, including St. Francis de Sales Oratory (see pictures of altar boys at St. Francis de Sales in 2011 and 1917 above). The Institute is happy to restore this long-established custom which contributes to its worldwide family spirit.
 
SECOND CHILDREN’S CHOIR CAMP
AUGUST 7 – 12, 2011
The Institute will offer its second Children’s Choir Camp this summer. The Camp has been scheduled for August 7 to August 12, 2011 in Maple Mount, Kentucky at Mount Saint Joseph Center of the Ursuline Sisters.
This year Canon Aaron Huberfeld will celebrate daily Mass at 10:00 AM for the children and participate in the teaching of Gregorian Chant and Choir practice.
Please contact us at 314-771-3100 or send an email to sfds@institute-christ-king.org if you are interested in registering your child.
HOLY WEEK 2011
PALM SUNDAY, APRIL 17
8:00am Low Mass; 9:30am
Blessing of Palms & Procession followed by Solemn High Mass
MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY
Masses and Confessions as usual
HOLY THURSDAY, APRIL 21
5:30pm Confessions
6:30pm Solemn High Mass
Procession to the Repository,
Adoration until Midnight.
GOOD FRIDAY, APRIL 22
8:00am Stations of the Cross
Confessions;
3:00pm Liturgy of the
Passion & Death of Our Lord,
(Confessions from 2:00pm until 6:30pm)
HOLY SATURDAY, APRIL 23
8:00pm Confessions; 9:00pm Easter Vigil and Solemn High Mass,
followed by Blessing of Easter Food (Bread, Eggs…)
EASTER SUNDAY, APRIL 24
8:00am Low Mass
10:00am Solemn High Mass
(no public Vespers this evening)
With assurance of my prayers during this holiest time of the year,
Canon Michael K. Wiener
Rector, St. Francis de Sales Oratory | |
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