'The liturgical prescriptions of the Caeremoniale Episcoporum and the beautiful musical traditions of the classical Roman school are no longer to be found. For the devout psalmody of the clergy, in which the people also used to join, there have been substituted interminable musical compositions on the words of the psalms, all of them
modeled on old theatrical works, and most of them
of such meager artistic value that they would not be tolerated for a moment even in our second-rate concerts. It is certain that Christian piety and devotion
are not promoted by them;
the curiosity of some of the less intelligent is fed, but the majority, disgusted and scandalized, wonder how it is that such an abuse can still survive. We therefore wish the cause
to be completely extirpated, and that the solemnity of Vespers should be celebrated according to the liturgical rules indicated by Us.'
Pope St. Pius X
Don't you wish he would return to us and issue this same proclamation today? Where is a Pope of such caliber? We do not deserve him but we desire him!
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