The Recovering Choir Director

This was the third time I attended Holy Mass according to the 1962 books. I was asked to lead the chant(!) the first time I attended one. The second time I attended it was at St. Agnes.

None of them were low Masses, and all of them were very well paced.

when we sang “christus factus est” (followed by the alleluia with “dulce lignum”) this past sunday it was very moving. a nice pace, having the same gradual come back half a year after the jeudi saint offices.

there’s an elderly (christmas 2001 was his 50th anniversary of ordination!!) priest who comes to my church on occasional sundays. he sits in the nave just next to the high altar and helps distribute communion. he’s a modern clergyman type, in suit and roman collar with a little cross on his blazer, but he grew up with the old rites and loves gregorian chant. when we make mistakes, he shoots me dirty looks from behind the altar!

but when we sing it well, as we did for “christus factus est (+dulce lignum),” he gets tears in his eyes and comes to thank me after the mass. i’m human, so it’s gratifying to receive a compliment. but i’m also grateful in what i hope is a less selfish way that we are able to bring beauty to someone who has given his life to god.