Recent comments
Author: Richard Schletty
Yes, I came up empty handed on my research but was enriched by the things I found out about this particular St. Christina, as well as the liturgical musical contributions of Bishop Joseph Schrembs.
Author: Don9of11
Thank you for your research and efforts to locate the hymn. I was in touch with the Cleveland Diocesan Music Director and he informed me that the Cathedral archives has a Litany set to music by Bishop Schrembs for St. Christina, however I have not seen it yet.
I have all three of Bishop Schrembs Diocesan hymn books and the hymn "O Fairest Flower of Italy" was written by the Sisters of Notre Dame and was set to music by Bishop Schrembs and harmonized by J.M. , who happens to be Joseph...
Author: Richard Schletty
This is the closest I can come to sleuthing out the hymn you are looking for.
Corpus Christi Watershed only has Diocesan Hymnal, Part One, Communion and Confirmation Hymns. https://www.ccwatershed.org/2020/03/03/pdf-roman-catholic-hymnal-by-bishop-cleveland-ohio/
Hymnary.org has a complete listing of songs in the Diocesan Hymnal, Part Two, Hymns for Monthly Devotions:
https://hymnary.org/hymnal/DHHM1928
Song #d88 is "O fairest flower of Italy, O Saint Christine"
This may or...
Author: Richard Schletty
Note that this 1925 article by NCWC (National Catholic Welfare Conference) spelled her name as Christina, not Christine. No mention of a hymn being performed. There is a reference to a "a resume of the outstanding incidents of his journey."
https://www.thecatholicnewsarchive.org/?a=d&d=cwp19250824-01.2.10
St. Christina Relics Reverently Placed In Cleveland Chapel
(By N. C. W. C. News Service)
Cleveland, Aug. 21.—The relics of St. Christina, gift of the Pope to Bishop...
Author: Richard Schletty
I found this article about the relics of St. Christine (or Christina) being presented to Archbishop Schrembs in 1925 by Pope Pius XI. Perhaps you have seen this.
https://saintjohncathedral.com/st-christine-relics
"Her remains were discovered in the catacombs of St. Calixtus / St. Pontianus outside Rome in the 18th century. At that time, the relics of the saints contained in the catacombs were moved to the Vatican. Within the Diocese of Cleveland, Bp. Schrembs set her feast day as...
Author: Richard Schletty
Don, I will take a look at my collection of hymnals.
Author: Richard Schletty
Another beautiful and inspiring song of assurance for all nations. The Lord is the way to salvation!
Author: Erwin Cabucos
Hi Richard, I have just attached the guitar chord sheet on the post. Enjoy!
Author: AlmosLataan
Thank you for your suggestion and help with the EQ. I will go in again with a word change I think.
Also, thank you for sharing your pro-life song. It's great to see that others are also supporting the unborn through their music.
Also, I had a little look on your YouTube. Wonderful to hear the hymn renditions, and see the community life.
Author: Richard Schletty
I strongly support anti-abortion/pro-life songs.
Here is a collaboration I did with Sharon Shultz (who lives where I do in the Twin Cities (MN). It is a father's regret for having urged his wife/partner to abort their child.
YouTube video: https://youtu.be/ptjR7cVS-Xk
TCS story: https://www.topcatholicsongs.com/daddy-shultz-schletty
Author: Richard Schletty
If you like, you can embed your YouTube video in your blog post by using the tips on this page: https://www.topcatholicsongs.com/faq#tips
This makes it more engaging and immediately accessible to a site visitor.
For example:
YouTube video: https://youtu.be/JeMb9GoVmCk
Author: Richard Schletty
You don't have to be nervous about posting here at this website. I remember my first few weeks of posting at MacJams.com in the year 2004. I had my first Mac capable of running GarageBand, and I knew very little about recording voice or instruments, using loops, and sequencing tracks. MacJams was set up as a music sharing and collaboration site. It ran strong for about 10 or 11 years, then fizzled out. But during that time I made a lot of good connections with other musicians and composers...
Author: AlmosLataan
Yes, perhaps I will go back in and change a few things then. I did originally have "God's child I am" in a very early version, but then I got caught up in rhyming, etc, and forgot to include a similar line. Probably shows too little prayer on my part.
In terms of voice, I think the culprit may be a lack of experience. I've just really started out with music. I will try to use EQ - I have heard it mentioned before, but I'm just taking one step at a time, and hadn't reached that yet! Ha. I think...
Author: Richard Schletty
This is an interesting point of view. Very simple poetry which is effective in conveying an intimate message of love to the preborn child. Thanks for sharing.
Yes, I would mention God.
I would like to hear your voice a bit less "muddy". Can you brighten it by using EQ (equalization)? What software did you use to recird this?
I may have more suggestions later.
Author: AlmosLataan
Also, I realized upon finishing the song that I had made no reference to God. I'm unsure as to whether I should go back in and change one or two lines ...
What do people think? Also, any other constructive criticism welcome.
Author: Richard Schletty
Thanks for sharing your excellent song. I like the melody. Do you have a guitar lead sheet for this song?
Author: ronsue
It just has the sound for a good musical preduction. Thanks for all your work and inspiration
Ron St Martin
Author: Richard Schletty
Thanks for listening, Karl, and for your positive comment. I know that you write stage and performance songs, so this means a lot to me.
Author: Kfmiller
Great lyrics. This would be very interesting to see in a theatrical setting.
Author: Richard Schletty
This is majestic, as it should be in celebrating the priesthood. This is now one of my favorite settings of Psalm 110. Thanks for sharing.
Author: Richard Schletty
I like these lines:
An army bold whose battle cry is "Love!"
Reaching out to those in darkness.
Thanks, Ron, for sharing.
Author: Alexander John
Thanks very much for taking the time to listen to my new EP. I appreciated the feedback and have taken it into account and will definitely keep it in mind for my next project. Thanks again for taking the time to listen to it and responding to my post! I hope you and your loved ones are all well. I have passed on my best to my wife and Dad for you.
Thanks Richard.
All the best, Alex.
Author: Richard Schletty
Very nice composition. Declarative, flowing and devotional. Well done.
I suggest you follow the guide here for inserting the YouTube embed code so that your videos show up as playable previews in your stories: https://www.topcatholicsongs.com/faq
I have done the embeds for you so far. Or would you prefer to not have playable previews?
Regards,
Richard Schletty
Author: Richard Schletty
Stephen, I listened to this hymn while driving to Costco today. Beautiful composition and recording. The refrain is especially rich and layered. This song is a beautiful devotional prayer to Our Mother Mary. Thanks for sharing.
Author: Richard Schletty
Stephen, good to have you post three wonderful songs at Top Catholic Songs! Your voice and melodic arrangements are top notch. Very meaningful lyrics.
I see that you signed up here about a decade ago. What brought you back? Did my email blast to all members yesterday reach you? Should I send out group messages more often?
Some memebers would like tips on production, publishing and promotion. Perhaps you could share some tips in our TCS forum.
God bless,
Richard
Author: Richard Schletty
This sounds promising. I would love to hear it sung by a real or virtual choir. I am curious about what software you use to create the score and the audio bounce/export.
Welcome to Top Catholic Songs!
Author: Richard Schletty
Thanks for the additional information concerning devotional hymns.
I had to wonder if Jeff Ostrowski has done an article on the Black List. I searched for Black List on his website, Corpus Christi Watershed – ccwatershed.org. No search results.
However, I did find his article called "What Makes a Hymnal Catholic". In it he discusses forbidden hymnals, reviews by theologians, and Protestant translations.
Author: Don9of11
The principal leader of The Society of St. Gregory of America was Nicola Montani (aka M. Colas), a well known Catholic author, publisher, composer, and organist. The justification of the Black List and the White List that followed was the 1903 Moto Proprio of Pope Pius X.
Marian hymns were the main target of the harsh and cart blanch attacks by the Society of St. Gregory as well as many hymns to the Sacred Heart, hymns for May processions, novena prayer hymns and hymns used by Holy Name...
Author: Richard Schletty
I found this of great interest in your article about the hymn O Jesus Christ, Remember:
"The Black List as it became known was an attempt by the Society to condemn as many of the popular Catholic hymnals of the day in favor of its own St. Gregory and Choir Book. Since the St. Basil’s Hymnal was by far the most dominant hymnal across the United States, it received the harshest criticism and was deemed objectionable, so far as its liturgical, literary and artistic value is concerned,...
Author: Richard Schletty
Alex,
Congrats on a followup to Twice Saved. I listened to all five tracks. You have a great voice with an "accent" that is the envy of this Minnesotan. :-)
Your words are deep and poetic and your delivery is energetic but sometimes a little too frenetic. Hey, I just rhymed!
One other minor nit is the background sound level on First Offering – it's too loud against your voice. Remember what I told you about "ducking" your voice?
"Ducking" your voice...
Author: Richard Schletty
Your rendition of this psalm is lyrical beauty. They say singing is twice praying. Add guitar and it's thrice praying!
Author: Erwin Cabucos
Thank you, Richard for your kind words. That inspires me. I have an album coming up. I hope you will like it.
Author: Richard Schletty
Pilgrims in hope! This is a very important and worthy theme. Very nice composition. Well played and sung. Thank you for sharing, Erwin. I appreciate all your song shares to date. You enrich this TCS website.
Author: Richard Schletty
Erwin, I like this song! Celebrating the lives of saints is also an affirmation of everyone's call to be saintly. Well done.
Author: Richard Schletty
I agree that Carey Landry's "Hail Mary, Gentle Woman" can get a bit long, especially if the musicians set a slow tempo. I have sung it numerous times.
Your version is good. I would try to work more on a couple line endings which need a bit more prosody (keeping words in sync with tempo).
For the very same aim of simplicity, Tony Moran (RIP) and I collaborated on a couple versions of Hail Mary, one in English and another in Spanish.
Hail Mary - Faith Songs for Kids
https://youtu.be...
Author: Richard Schletty
A beautiful reflection on the glorious assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. I really like the melody and pacing in the verses. The guitar, bass and violin give this a fullness without being overdone. A truly inspired setting of Psalm 44(45).
Author: Richard Schletty
Ron, don't you have the capability to record directly into GarageBand on your iMac? We gotta get you a microphone! Have you done multi-track recording with GarageBand in the past? In other words, record voice and guitar on separate tracks.
Author: ronsue
I sort of hear it too. As I may have said before I record all these latest songs on a G5 google phone, then upload them up to YouTube as MP4 videos. Then I download them on a very old version of GarageBand on an old iMAC, then turn into MP3 to upload onto topcatholicsongs. If you would like to record the song yourself and add a flute or any other instrument, that you could do. Ron
Author: Richard Schletty
I like the melodic motion and the contrast between the verses and the refrain. This a heartfelt entreaty for Christ to dwell among us and infuse our entire being. In my mind I heard a flute accompanying this song.
Author: ronsue
Sounds like the work of the Holy Spirit as these songs are truely beautiful and prophetic
iinspirations. Thanks again for sharing them. Ron
Author: Richard Schletty
Thanks, Ron. I wrote these songs many years ago. It was a very curious collaboration with two mystery German musicians who vanished soon after completing the 12 songs we did together.
Author: ronsue
Wow - a wonderful collection of poetry/prose set to music. Very professional, contemporary and a contructive
critique of today with thee simple solution. Ron St martin
Author: ronsue
Yes, many clear and veiled glimpses throughout scripture, especially in the New Testament. Adios Ron
Author: Jeremy St Martin
Amen. He does give us glimpses. Many glimpses in fact if you can see.
Thank you for welcoming Sr. yesterday.
That was a gift from her and you to me.
I don't know why exactly but it was.
In Christ,
Jeremy
Author: Richard Schletty
Erwin, if you want people to be able to find this psalm via an on-site search, you need to include the following in the text of your post:
Psalm 68: Turn to the Lord in your need and you will live.
I realize that the psalm number and refrain appear in the YouTube thumbnail image but rasterized text can't be indexed.
I hope this helps.
Author: Erwin Cabucos
Thanks for your affirming comment, Richard. I will check out your Psalms as I am always looking for Psalms to use on our parish. It is always great to connect.
Author: Richard Schletty
I like this arrangement. Thanks for noting the importance of an accessible vocal range. Too many hymns and psalms are written in a soprano-tenor range that ascends above high C. I have struggled with vocal strain for years – if a song has too many notes that hit high D and E.
You give a good rendition here. I will definitely check out more of Brother Michael Herry's responsorial psalms at www.maristmusic.org.au
Tony Moran and I wrote a complete 3-year psalter of Spanish...
Author: ronsue
Your songs are filled with sense of wonder and joy. Your musical instrumentation
are delightful/ Thanks for sharing Ron St Martin
Author: Alexander John
Hi Richard,
So nice to hear from you and thanks very much for taking the time to listen to my little project and give feedback. My dad is still doing the background music which means a lot to me. I hope you have been well!
Kind Regards,
Alex.
Author: Richard Schletty
Nicola Montana – I remember the name well. He published the St. Gregory Hymnal and Catholic Choir Book. I still have about a half dozen copies of this beloved hymnal that had both Latin and English hymns.
I just visited Nancy’s website at Nancy Scimone Music and will likely do a story pointing folks to her beautiful recordings of sacred hymns.
Thank you for your diligent work in featuring this hymn and sharing it with everyone.
Author: ronsue
Thanks for sharing your songs with us. We Thank You Lord ia a very good praise song with lots of thanksgiving. Keep on listening to the Spirit - the Lord of Song. Plaes keep on composing and developing your gifts and sharing them with us. God Bless Ron St Martin (ronsue)
Author: Richard Schletty
No problem, Erwin. Not rude at all. It's common to give a one-page preview, just as you have done at sheetmusicplus. It's nice when composers can make a little bit of money for their creative efforts.
Some artists who have posted their music on this site offer it for free. That's what Tony Moran and I decided to do with our Salmos Responsoriales.
Other artists here post links to their songs at Apple Music where it can be listened to with a Apple Music subscription and/or...
Author: Erwin Cabucos
Opps, sorry, Richard, that was so rude of me posting only half of the music sheet. Here it is now, attached, in complete form, for your use and your school's or parish's use. Peace in Christ - Erwin.
Author: Richard Schletty
You aren't flawed. You are flowing with the Spirit.
Good to hear from you again, Alex. I assume your dad is still doing the background sounds – nicely done and quite interesting. You are creating very good mixes now. I love your voice with its "Aussie urgency".
I listened to a few tracks at BandCamp and will catch the rest soon.
Best to you from "Up Over" – St. Paul, Minnesota. :-)
Author: Richard Schletty
Erwin, thank you for sharing this. A nice melody and good words. I see page 1 of your score attached, but not page 2 with the chorus. However, Dr. Geoff Madden notes that the full score can be purchased at sheetmusicplus.
I like how Dr. Geoff calls you "the Henry Mancini of Australian Catholic music." He created a nice instrumental rendition.
Yes, I think this could be used in liturgical services. It is uplifting.
Author: Richard Schletty
Thanks for your personal take on an old standard. Let us all honor the Father, Son and Holy Spirit!
Author: Richard Schletty
This is skillfully and artfully written and beautifully performed. Kudos to your worship team.
This is the best arrangement of Psalm 109 (110) that I have heard so far. If I had seen this sooner, I would be presenting it this weekend for Feast of Corpus Christi at St. Stanislaus in St. Paul, MN. Unfortunately, we are scheduled to sing the Owen Alstott (OCP) arrangement which is not as artful. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGxrOSuqljA
Author: ronsue
Thanks for sharing your inspiring thoughts, experiences and indirect advice about singing especially in the liturgical setting. May the good Lord bless you evermore deeply in your marriage and ministry. Ron St Martin
Author: ronsue
This is an amazing angelic sounding chant! My son Fr Jeremy has a small group of chanters that sing just like this in poliphonic quadruple harmony at his Church. Heavenly joy and peace. Thanks for sharing Ron
Author: Guest (not verified)
Very nice rendition of the "Magnificat". You proclaim it well in the voice of the young Mary.
Author: Richard Schletty
Grace, thank you for sharing your beautiful version of the Magnificat. Your splendid music and youthful "Mary's voice" work well together.
I inserted the YouTube embed code into your blog post which shows the video player. See this page for more tips on posting and formatting: https://www.topcatholicsongs.com/faq
Blessings,
Richard Schletty
TCS admin
Author: asiansa09
Hi Richard,
It will be nice if you can talk with the priests to see if the song, God's gift to all the world, aligns with the Catholic teaching and belief. Especially, the song is related to Saint Faustina's messages from Christ. Maybe we might need to have permission to use Saint Faustina's diary as a source of information for our work of contribution in writing a song about her for the church services.
We need to have an official music committee review it at the archdiocesan...
Author: ronsue
After the Lord's prayer in the mass (second Eucharistic prayer), the priest says the following
prayer:
Deliver us, Lord, from every evil, and grant us peace in our day. In your mercy keep us free from sin and protect us from all anxiety as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ!
This reminds us of the evil and sin that surrounds us and tempts us from within, while at the same time reminds us to have joyful hope in the...
Author: Guest (not verified)
I listened to the choral recording on your website. Sounds good. Impressive that it was on the Lawrence Welk Show.
Author: asiansa09
Such a good voice singing the song.
Help me to enlighten my heart at the moment.
Author: asiansa09
Jubilee 2025 is a blessed year in which the Blessed Sacrament is placed in the church for everyone to come to visit. Those who visit the church will receive a special blessing during the Jubilee 2025.
Hoping everyone is planning to visit the Roma St. Peter's church.
Follow the church through EWTN
https://www.ewtn.com/
Author: ronsue
Thanks for the Doxology and the reference of theCatholic Catachism. Adorarion of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is a fruitful joy of Christ's paschal mystery. I may have had tuna suprem on the day of this recording, but it is mainly Susan's love ingredient that made me sing strong and bright, and happy. Richard, my wife Susan makes tuna supreme twice a week and her recipe is
full of her quiet joy and the Lord's blessings. Tuna supreme is only one of her poetic recipes.
Pa
Author: ronsue
Thanks for the Doxology and the reference of theCatholic Catachism. Adorarion of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is a fruitful joy of Christ's paschal mystery. I may have had tuna suprem on the day of this recording, but it is mainly Susan's love ingredient that made me sing strong and bright, and happy. Richard, my wife Susan makes tuna supreme twice a week and her recipe is
full of her quiet joy and the Lord's blessings. Tuna supreme is only one of her poetic recipes. Ron
Author: Richard Schletty
Another great devotional song from the past that ought to be sung again in churches and schools. Thank you for your thorough research and sharing of music arrangements and audio files.
Author: Richard Schletty
We used the OCP online music submission portal:
https://www.ocp.org/en-us/submit-music
The only other way is by mail.
Author: asiansa09
Maybe we didn't come to the right door last time when we tried to submit our songs to Oregon Catholic Press.
We should find out more information about how to enter the organization.
https://www.ocp.org/en-us
Author: Richard Schletty
Be sure to let me know when these contests come around again. Thanks.
Author: Richard Schletty
> Anyways, your voice sounds strong and bright and happy by the way. You must have eaten some tuna supreem.
I'm gonna try some tuna before my next recording session! :-)
Author: Jeremy St Martin
I love the last verse being a praise to the the Most Blessed Trinity.
I don't know if I got the capitilization right there so I appologies for that. No wait.
O.K. I back.
In the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church it says:
"44. What is the central mystery of Christian faith and life?
232-237
The central mystery of Christian faith and life is the mystery of the Most Blessed Trinity. Christians are baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the...
Author: Richard Schletty
Songwriters "in the old days" were very good at storytelling. A lot of songs on the top of the charts these days are very poor as far as storytelling.
Yes, I will sing the chorus and verses as a storyteller as opposed to a narrator.
The reason I asked for clarification is because I have done storytelling narration. For example, these pieces:
https://www.schlettysound.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Raouls-Rescue-Mission-narrator-and-Ensemble-Mastered.mp3
https://www.schlettysound....
Author: asiansa09
I had a chance to hear you sing your songs on your website.
I realize you are very good at storytelling in your song. That is why I suggest that you sing as a storyteller.
But it is up to you to see what is best for the song.
Author: Richard Schletty
I'll see what I can do. As usual, I hope that it's OK for me to modify your lyrics to achieve prosody with whatever time signature and line length I decide upon.
Question: When you say "storytelling" do you mean that the verses should be spoken instead of sung?
I will modify the chorus so that it supports and flows logically with all three verses.
I am happy to be in touch with you again. It has been too long!
Author: asiansa09
Hi Richard,
I noticed there was a song contest for Eucharistic in 2023. We missed it now. But we should look out for the song contest for years to come in the Catholic community.
https://www.eucharisticrevival.org/post/eucharistic-revival-musical-competition
We also missed the song contest this year, 2025, with the theme, "Pilgrimage of Hope."
https://www.catholicherald.com/article/global/vatican-announces-contest-to-compose-music-for-holy-ye...
Author: asiansa09
That will be wonderful if you can take on the song lyrics and elaborate to write the music for it.
I am thinking that you are good at storytelling for the song.
My intention for the first verse is to tell my own story, the second verse is to relate the message from Our Lady of Fatima, and the third verse is the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking to our heart and mind.
Author: Richard Schletty
This reminds me of the collaboration we did a few years ago called Enchristment.
https://www.topcatholicsongs.com/enchristment-nguyen-schletty
I actually sang Enchristment a couple times at Eucharistic Adorations at Blessed Sacrament Church in Saint Paul.
I assume you may be looking for someone to set your new lyrics to music. I might even try it myself. I enjoy our collaborations.
Author: Richard Schletty
Ron, simply click on Dan Vi Nguyen's user name asiansa09 in the upper right corner of her comment. It is linked to her profile. Or click here: https://www.topcatholicsongs.com/user/362
You can see all her wonderful song contributions here: https://www.topcatholicsongs.com/user/362/posts
And here is her biography: https://www.topcatholicsongs.com/node/1403
Dan Vi and I have collaborated on a few songs.
Author: ronsue
What a blessing to be in adoration/contemplation of our Lord in his eucharistic presence every day. We celebrate the paschal mystery in the holy Eucharistic Mass every day.
Are you a musician/song composer? God Bless You. Ron
Author: asiansa09
I like the words you wrote in verse 1. They are just what I would have in mind if I were to write the song lyric.
These days, I attend the Eucharist Adoration at church daily.
Author: Don9of11
Thank you Richard,
My reflection, particularly the comment about hymn selections, aims to encourage church musicians to appreciate traditional hymns. In my parish, our young organist is unfamiliar with traditional hymns because they are not included in the missalette. If a hymn is not listed there, it is typically excluded from the Sunday lineup. The prevailing guideline appears to be that the hymns should align with the readings, as suggested by the liturgy guides accompanying the missalettes...