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Matthew J. Geerlings
Music Director |
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On September 17th, we remembered Saint Hildegard of Bingen. She believed that sacred music is not merely an addition to prayer, but a restoration of the soul’s original nature. For Hildegard, a 12th-century Doctor of the Church, music was the link between heaven and earth. She taught that before the fall of humanity, Adam had a voice that echoed the choirs of angels. When sin entered the world, humanity lost that original harmony, but God left us the gift of sacred song to help recall the beauty of Eden and anticipate the symphony of heaven.
Hildegard wrote that when the human voice sings holy praises, the heart is softened, the mind is illuminated, and the Holy Spirit rekindles “viriditas”—that living greenness of grace within us. True sacred music is never mere entertainment; it’s an instrument of conversion that pulls our scattered thoughts into holy order and lifts our desires toward God.
When we lift our voices in sacred song, whether in high Gregorian chant, solemn hymns, or heartfelt psalmody, we aren’t singing alone. We’re joining our fragile earthly voices to the eternal song of the angels and saints surrounding the throne of God. Sacred music bridges time and eternity.
When we participate in the liturgy, let us never view singing as an optional sideline or background noise. When you sing at Mass, you’re fulfilling your baptismal dignity, putting breath, the very air God gave you, back into God’s service.
May Saint Hildegard intercede for our worshipping communities. May she continue to inspire our musicians, our choirs, cantors, and our congregations to sing not for human applause, but for the glory of God, tuning our hearts so that our lives may become a harmonious song of praise.
Saint Hildegard of Bingen, pray for us!
(Excerpts from a homily by Fr. Kevin Scalf, C.PP.S. on the Feast of Saint Hildegard)
Soli Deo Gloria |
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That They All May Be One:
A Pastoral Letter on the Eucharist as the Sacrament of Unity
In his first pastoral letter to our local Church, Archbishop Casey explains how we, the Body of Christ, are united to one another in and through the Eucharist, and how our participation in this Sacrament should inspire us to put love into action in our communities. |
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Annual Resources 2027
As we do each year, the ODWS will be selling 2027 annual liturgical publications for use in parishes and schools at a deep discount (up to 25% off retail!) Through the online shop, you can purchase resources like Workbook for Lectors, Living Liturgy, “Year of Grace” calendars, and more! Make sure to add your tax exempt information to your online account to save even more. |
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Archdiocesan Choir
The Archdiocesan Choir serves the faithful of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati by leading them in sung prayer for our archdiocesan liturgies, inspiring beauty through sacred music, and lifting their voices in joyful praise to God with the patrimony of sacred music, both old and new, in service to His Church. The choir is open to all adult Catholics of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati who commit to the mission of our choir, meet the basic musicianship requirements, and are available for the schedule of rehearsals and liturgies. |
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EMHC Formation and Training
In-person and online formation and training for new and veteran Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion will be offered this fall throughout the archdiocese and online. Please share these opportunities with Extraordinary Ministers in your Family of Parishes and those interested in joining this ministry. |
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Liturgical Calendar
As a reminder, November 1, 2026, the Solemnity of All Saints occurs on Sunday. It replaces the Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time. On Saturday and Sunday, Evening Prayer I and II is for All Saints. Saturday evening Masses that regularly anticipate the Sunday Mass should observe the Mass of All Saints.
You can find more details on the liturgical calendars for 2026 and 2027 on our website. |
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Pueri Cantores Children's Choir Festival
Sat, March 13
Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption (Covington)
The festival brings together singers in grades 4–12 from parishes, schools, and homeschool communities for combined rehearsals, fellowship, and the inspiring experience of singing as one large choir during Mass.
Participation can also strengthen parish and school music programs. |
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Bicentennial Hymn: Christ Our Light
Don’t forget that our bicentennial hymn, Christ Our Light, commissioned in 2021 and authored by Sr. Genevieve Glen, OSB, is a wonderful text for use during Christmastide and Winter Ordinary Time. It can be easily sung to many familiar 8 7 8 7 D hymn tunes that most congregations will know. A few settings and accompanying materials are available on the ODWS website. |
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Q. How many intentions must there be for the Universal Prayer at Mass?
A. The Church does not specify precisely how many intentions may be included in the Universal Prayer, only that they should be “sober, be composed with a wise liberty and in few words, and they should be expressive of the prayer of the entire community.” (GIRM 71) Normally, 4-6 is sufficient. The sequence of these prayers should normally flow from the needs of the Church to the needs of the world, then for those in any difficulty, and finally for the local community. (GIRM 69). They should be general in nature, and thus there is no requirement that they include specifics (such as the name of the priest’s intention) or a collective moment of silence for each individuals’ intentions; the existing moments of silence within Mass are appropriate for individuals to bring their own intentions to mind, while the Universal Prayer belongs to the entire Church.
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CHRIST PRESENT AT MASS |
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"At Mass, Christ is actively present in the Word proclaimed, the assembly gathered, the priest presiding, and the sacrament of his Body and Blood. The Mass is not merely a means of distributing the Host and sharing the chalice, but a communal act in which Christ assembles the Church in worship, unites believers to his sacrifice, and fosters oneness with God and neighbor through a shared encounter with Christ, present in Word and Sacrament." |
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— ARCHBISHOP ROBERT G. CASEY
That They All May Be One, Sept 2026
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Pastoral Center | 100 East Eighth St | Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 | CatholicAOC.org |
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