One year ago, a pivotal figure for liturgy and sacred music in the American, indeed international Church died. Msgr. Richard J. Schuler’s first anniversay is today.
I humbly ask that you say a prayer today for the respose of his soul.
Papa Ratzinger knew Msgr. Schuler well, and Schuler was a friend of the Holy Father’s brother Msgr. Georg Ratzinger, who himself was a great Church musician in his day. Card. Ratzinger would often express interest to me when I would run into him at the Palazzo Sant’Uffizio, where I worked for some years, about the music program at St. Agnes and ask about Msgr. Schuler.
When Msgr. Schuler died, I got a note to Msgr. Ganswein, the personal secretary to His Holiness, to inform the Pope. I requested a telegram, if deemed opportune. His Holiness was so kind and sent a telegram to St. Agnes parish in St. Paul in time for Monsignor’s funeral. How many parish priests get for their funerals telegrams from the Pope?
Here are some links to entries from this blog about Msgr. Schuler:
Here is PODCAzT 21, from 22 April 2007:
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