Chorus Breviarii: November 2007

Friday, November 30, 2007

Sounds from the Requiem

Here are two live recordings of Chorus Breviarii singing for the Pontifical Requiem of November 17. Although the Bach Collegium sang most of the Mass, the composer left out the Gradual and Tract, which had to be sung in Gregorian chant.

Gradual:

boomp3.com

Tract:

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On the Bishop's Mantelletta

Some self-appointed expert on the blogosphere criticized Bp. Cordileone for wearing the mantelletta as part of the ceremonies preceding the pontifical Requiem he graciously celebrated on Nov. 17 (the mantelletta was abolished for cardinals and bishops in 1969). Fr. Burt Boudoin spoke with His Excellency and here's what he wrote in a comment box:

After speaking to Bishop Cordileone, I can report that he makes the following points:

1) the Pontifical Mass of the traditional rite requires the solemn vesting of the bishop before the altar as part of the pre-ceremonies of the liturgy, to which the bishop arrives at the church or chapel in proper choir dress...
2) the proper choir dress for an auxiliary bishop (1962 rubrics) -- Bishop Cordileone's present status -- includes the mantelletta rather than the mozzetta, which was considered to indicate the jurisdiction of an ordinary.

Obviously, we do not have here an instance of disobedience to current rules of eccl. vesture. Rather, until and if, the Commission of Eccl. Dei makes comment on the question, we have perfect adherence to a principle of the Motu Proprio of the Holy Father, that the old and present rites are not to be mixed...

Most importantly, the Mass was a beautiful example of the liturgical restoration underway... with Gregorian chant that bespoke of the glory of God and the legacy of the Roman tradition.

Thank you, Fr. Burt!

H.E. sporting the mantelletta.

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

John Polhamus on Vespers

Here's a short speech by our fearless director about the service of Vespers. It was given at St. Margaret's in Oceanside on November 15.

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Monday, November 26, 2007

Before and After the Requiem

Here are some photos that Wayne sent me. You can find them all in this album.
On the evening before the brothers met to prepare things in the sacristy of St. John's:

Before singing Vespers and Matins, they went out for dinner.

Frater David lights the candles before service.

It was quite a night!

In the morning we returned to sing Lauds:

Wayne mastering the details of the ceremony:

The ceremonieri: Ashley the Impeccable and John the Maestro:

Cope and maniples:

The altar:

His Excellency arrives:

H.E. with Fr. Archimandrite Nicholas (left), Br. John, and Fr. Deacon Moses of Holy Resurrection Monastery during the reception after Mass.

Sub tuum praesidium:

The Most Beautiful Thing This Side of Heaven

November 17 was a memorable day for Chorus Breviarii and for San Diego: a Pontifical Requiem in the extraordinary form of the Roman Rite was celebrated by H.E. the Most Rev.d Mons. Salvatore Cordileone for the repose of the soul of Fr. Sir Hugh Barrett-Lennard, Cong. Orat. Lond. , Bart. (1917-2007).
The first photos of this event have begun to reach me and I'll be posting more as they come. These are from the video taken by Mr. Dave Lanfranchi, the President of Una Voce Orange County. Slightly larger photos can be seen in this album.

In case you wonder, we were honored by the presence in choir of three monks from Holy Resurrection Monastery, a traditional Byzantine monastic community in communion with Rome.