Cletus Madsen
Encyclopedia
Cletus Madsen was a 20th century Catholic
priest of the Diocese of Davenport
in the US
state of Iowa
. He was involved the Liturgical Movement
in the Catholic Church in the mid-20th century.
to Mose and Mary (Mennen) Madsen. He was raised in Davenport, Iowa
where he was educated at St. Ambrose Academy and received his bachelor’s degree from St. Ambrose College. He studied for the priesthood at the Pontifical North American College
in Rome
. He was ordained a priest for the Davenport Diocese on October 25, 1931 at the German College
in Rome by Cardinal
Francesco Marchetti Selvaggiani. He did graduate studies in music at St. Cecilia Academy
in Rome, the State University of Iowa and Eastman School of Music
in Rochester, New York
.
By 1944 he was the director of the college’s choir as well as the adult and boy’s choirs at Sacred Heart Cathedral. When Bishop Henry Rohlman
was transferred to the Archdiocese of Dubuque
in 1944, the Sacred Heart choir, composed of men and women, as well as trumpets was a part of the farewell liturgy in the cathedral. Several months later they performed a similar program at the installation of Bishop Ralph Hayes
. Father Madsen was called into the bishop’s office and asked why women were in the choir and why trumpets were played in church? The next time either performed in a liturgy at the cathedral was the installation of Bishop Gerald O’Keefe
23 years later.
In 1950 Madsen began to write a column on liturgical renewal in The Catholic Messenger, the diocesan newspaper which had a national edition. He reminded his readers a rule of Pope Leo XIII, “It is absolutely forbidden that any music should be performed in church which has themes from theatrical works, from dance music or profane pieces, such as popular songs, love songs, etc.” He encouraged Gregorian Chant
and singing other hymns in both Latin and English. He encouraged the establishment of boy’s choirs, teaching chant to the students in Catholic schools and colleges, teachers and religious. Simple Mass Propers were offered for use in parishes. The idea was to involve the congregation in singing the Mass and full participation in the liturgy.
Change, however, did not come about easily. Madsen sent out a questionnaire to 148 pastors in the diocese, based on materials prepared by the National Catholic Music Education Association (NCMEA—now known as the National Association of Pastoral Musicians). Of the 88 responses, only 19 pastors reported they had a program promoting active lay participation in the liturgy. Ten of these parishes had a Dialogue Mass
and seven said they had a sung High Mass
. Forty-six parishes with schools, however, had the children chanting the Ordinary and Propers of the Mass. Full liturgical participation was also the goal of Madsen’s in organizing the Davenport Diocesan Priests’ Choir.
, and was chosen as its first vice-president.
In addition to the annual Diocesan Music Festival, Madsen helped found the annual Iowa Catholic College Music Festival and was co-founder of the Iowa Catholic High School Music Festival. He also organized the Tri-City Oratorio Society.
Father Madsen would find validation in his life’s work when the Catholic bishops from around the world voted to approve, and Pope Paul VI promulgated, Sacrosanctum Concilium
during the Second Vatican Council
. The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy called for full and active participation for all members of the church in all its liturgies.
of St. Mary’s Church in Fairfield, Iowa
. He also serves as Dean of the Ottumwa Deanery at the same time. In 1970 he was transferred to St. Wenceslaus Church in Iowa City, and became the Episcopal Vicar of the Iowa City Vicariate. He became a trustee of St. Ambrose in 1970 and joined the Board of Directors in 1976. In 1973 Pope Paul VI named Madsen an Honorary Prelate
. Bishop O’Keefe had nominated him in recognition for his leadership in liturgical music and initiating the diocesan music festivals. In 1979 Madsen Hall in Galvin Fine Arts Center at St. Ambrose was named in his honor, and he received an honorary doctorate from the school in 1982.
After he retired from full-time ministry in 1981 he resided at St. Vincent Center in Davenport and served as Assistant to the President of St. Ambrose University until 1998. Msgr. Madsen died in 2002 at the Kahl Home for the Aged and Infirm at the age of 96. His funeral was held in Christ the King Chapel and he was buried in the Priests’ Circle at Mount Calvary Cemetery
in Davenport.
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
priest of the Diocese of Davenport
Roman Catholic Diocese of Davenport
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Davenport is a diocese of the Catholic Church for the southeastern quarter of the state of Iowa. There are within the diocese...
in the US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
state of Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
. He was involved the Liturgical Movement
Liturgical Movement
The Liturgical Movement began as a movement of scholarship for the reform of worship within the Roman Catholic Church. It has grown over the last century and a half and has affected many other Christian Churches, including the Church of England and other Churches of the Anglican Communion, and some...
in the Catholic Church in the mid-20th century.
Early life & Education
Madsen was born in Burlington, IowaBurlington, Iowa
Burlington is a city in, and the county seat of Des Moines County, Iowa, United States. The population was 25,663 in the 2010 census, a decline from the 26,839 population in the 2000 census. Burlington is the center of a micropolitan area including West Burlington, Iowa and Middletown, Iowa and...
to Mose and Mary (Mennen) Madsen. He was raised in Davenport, Iowa
Davenport, Iowa
Davenport is a city located along the Mississippi River in Scott County, Iowa, United States. Davenport is the county seat of and largest city in Scott County. Davenport was founded on May 14, 1836 by Antoine LeClaire and was named for his friend, George Davenport, a colonel during the Black Hawk...
where he was educated at St. Ambrose Academy and received his bachelor’s degree from St. Ambrose College. He studied for the priesthood at the Pontifical North American College
Pontifical North American College
The Pontifical North American College is a Roman Catholic educational institution in Rome, Italy educating seminarians for the dioceses in the United States and providing a residence for American priests studying in Rome. It was founded in 1859 by Blessed Pope Pius IX and was granted pontifical...
in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
. He was ordained a priest for the Davenport Diocese on October 25, 1931 at the German College
Collegium Germanicum et Hungaricum
The Collegium Germanicum et Hungaricum or simply Collegium Germanicum is a German-speaking seminary for Roman Catholic priests in Rome, founded in 1552. Since 1580 its full name has been Pontificium Collegium Germanicum et Hungaricum de Urbe....
in Rome by Cardinal
Cardinal (Catholicism)
A cardinal is a senior ecclesiastical official, usually an ordained bishop, and ecclesiastical prince of the Catholic Church. They are collectively known as the College of Cardinals, which as a body elects a new pope. The duties of the cardinals include attending the meetings of the College and...
Francesco Marchetti Selvaggiani. He did graduate studies in music at St. Cecilia Academy
Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia
The Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia is one of the oldest musical institutions in the world, based in Italy.It is based at the Auditorium Parco della Musica in Rome, and was founded by the papal bull, Ratione congruit, issued by Sixtus V in 1585, which invoked two saints prominent in Western...
in Rome, the State University of Iowa and Eastman School of Music
Eastman School of Music
The Eastman School of Music is a music conservatory located in Rochester, New York. The Eastman School is a professional school within the University of Rochester...
in Rochester, New York
Rochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
.
Diocese of Davenport
Father Madsen's first assignment in the diocese was as an assistant pastor at Sacred Heart Cathedral. In 1932 he was assigned to the Fine Arts Department at St. Ambrose College. He would eventually become chairman of the department. He served as chaplain at Immaculate Conception Academy in Davenport, in addition to his teaching, starting in 1934. In 1935 he began, with other music educators in the diocese, diocesan music festivals. They included 15 to 22 schools, and they continued until 1970.By 1944 he was the director of the college’s choir as well as the adult and boy’s choirs at Sacred Heart Cathedral. When Bishop Henry Rohlman
Henry Rohlman
Henry Patrick Rohlman was a 20th century bishop in the Catholic Church in the United States. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Davenport from 1927–1944 and as coadjutor archbishop and archbishop of the Archdiocese of Dubuque from 1944-1954.-Early Life & Ministry:Rohlman was born in...
was transferred to the Archdiocese of Dubuque
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Dubuque
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Dubuque is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the northeastern quarter of the state of Iowa in the United States. It includes all the Iowa counties north of Polk, Jasper, Poweshiek, Iowa, Johnson, Cedar, and Clinton counties. ...
in 1944, the Sacred Heart choir, composed of men and women, as well as trumpets was a part of the farewell liturgy in the cathedral. Several months later they performed a similar program at the installation of Bishop Ralph Hayes
Ralph Leo Hayes
Ralph Leo Hayes was a 20th century bishop of the Catholic Church in the United States. He served as the fourth bishop of the Diocese of Helena in the state of Montana from 1933–1935, and as the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Davenport in the state of Iowa from 1944-1966...
. Father Madsen was called into the bishop’s office and asked why women were in the choir and why trumpets were played in church? The next time either performed in a liturgy at the cathedral was the installation of Bishop Gerald O’Keefe
Gerald Francis O'Keefe
Gerald Francis O'Keefe was a 20th century bishop of the Catholic Church in the United States. He served as auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of St. Paul in the state of Minnesota from 1961–1966 and bishop of the Diocese of Davenport in the state of Iowa from 1966-1993.-Early Life &...
23 years later.
In 1950 Madsen began to write a column on liturgical renewal in The Catholic Messenger, the diocesan newspaper which had a national edition. He reminded his readers a rule of Pope Leo XIII, “It is absolutely forbidden that any music should be performed in church which has themes from theatrical works, from dance music or profane pieces, such as popular songs, love songs, etc.” He encouraged Gregorian Chant
Gregorian chant
Gregorian chant is the central tradition of Western plainchant, a form of monophonic liturgical music within Western Christianity that accompanied the celebration of Mass and other ritual services...
and singing other hymns in both Latin and English. He encouraged the establishment of boy’s choirs, teaching chant to the students in Catholic schools and colleges, teachers and religious. Simple Mass Propers were offered for use in parishes. The idea was to involve the congregation in singing the Mass and full participation in the liturgy.
Change, however, did not come about easily. Madsen sent out a questionnaire to 148 pastors in the diocese, based on materials prepared by the National Catholic Music Education Association (NCMEA—now known as the National Association of Pastoral Musicians). Of the 88 responses, only 19 pastors reported they had a program promoting active lay participation in the liturgy. Ten of these parishes had a Dialogue Mass
Dialogue Mass
A Dialogue Mass is a Low Mass, in which the people recited some parts of the Latin text of the Tridentine Mass.-History:...
and seven said they had a sung High Mass
Missa Cantata
Missa Cantata is a form of Tridentine Mass defined officially in 1960 as a sung Mass celebrated without sacred ministers, i.e., deacon and subdeacon.Other names in pre-1960 sources:...
. Forty-six parishes with schools, however, had the children chanting the Ordinary and Propers of the Mass. Full liturgical participation was also the goal of Madsen’s in organizing the Davenport Diocesan Priests’ Choir.
Liturgical Renewal in the United States
Madsen’s work was not limited to the Davenport Diocese. He was chair of the Liturgical Department of the NCMEA for six years. By the end of the 1950s the Dialogue Mass had become official and new missals for the laity were developed. Madsen served as president of the NCMEA when it prepared Our Parish Prays and Sings. He also served as vice president and a member of the board of directors of the NCMEA. He co-ordinated study groups at the annual North American Liturgical Weeks and was on the board of directors of the National Liturgical Conference. In 1964 he helped establish the Church Music Association of AmericaChurch Music Association of America
The Church Music Association of America is a non-profit 501 association of Catholic church musicians and others who have a special interest in music and liturgy, active in advancing Gregorian chant, Renaissance polyphony, and other forms of sacred music for liturgical use...
, and was chosen as its first vice-president.
In addition to the annual Diocesan Music Festival, Madsen helped found the annual Iowa Catholic College Music Festival and was co-founder of the Iowa Catholic High School Music Festival. He also organized the Tri-City Oratorio Society.
Father Madsen would find validation in his life’s work when the Catholic bishops from around the world voted to approve, and Pope Paul VI promulgated, Sacrosanctum Concilium
Sacrosanctum Concilium
Sacrosanctum Concilium, the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, is one of the constitutions of the Second Vatican Council. It was approved by the assembled bishops by a vote of 2,147 to 4 and promulgated by Pope Paul VI on December 4, 1963...
during the Second Vatican Council
Second Vatican Council
The Second Vatican Council addressed relations between the Roman Catholic Church and the modern world. It was the twenty-first Ecumenical Council of the Catholic Church and the second to be held at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. It opened under Pope John XXIII on 11 October 1962 and closed...
. The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy called for full and active participation for all members of the church in all its liturgies.
Later life & Death
In the early 1960s Madsen helped establish the Liturgical Commission of the Diocese of Davenport. From 1962-1965 he served as the student chaplain at St. Ambrose. In 1965 he finished his teaching career at St. Ambrose and became pastorPastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
of St. Mary’s Church in Fairfield, Iowa
Fairfield, Iowa
Fairfield is a city and the county seat of Jefferson County, Iowa, United States. The population was 9,464 in the 2010 census, a decline from 9,509 in the 2000 census. - History :...
. He also serves as Dean of the Ottumwa Deanery at the same time. In 1970 he was transferred to St. Wenceslaus Church in Iowa City, and became the Episcopal Vicar of the Iowa City Vicariate. He became a trustee of St. Ambrose in 1970 and joined the Board of Directors in 1976. In 1973 Pope Paul VI named Madsen an Honorary Prelate
Honorary Prelate
An Honorary Prelate of His Holiness is a priest to whom the Pope has granted this title. They are addressed as Monsignor and have certain privileges as regards ecclesiastical dress...
. Bishop O’Keefe had nominated him in recognition for his leadership in liturgical music and initiating the diocesan music festivals. In 1979 Madsen Hall in Galvin Fine Arts Center at St. Ambrose was named in his honor, and he received an honorary doctorate from the school in 1982.
After he retired from full-time ministry in 1981 he resided at St. Vincent Center in Davenport and served as Assistant to the President of St. Ambrose University until 1998. Msgr. Madsen died in 2002 at the Kahl Home for the Aged and Infirm at the age of 96. His funeral was held in Christ the King Chapel and he was buried in the Priests’ Circle at Mount Calvary Cemetery
Mount Calvary Cemetery (Davenport, Iowa)
Mount Calvary Cemetery is located in north-central Davenport, Iowa, United States. It was established as St. Marguerite’s Cemetery in the 1850s on of property donated by Antoine LeClaire. At the time the cemetery lay outside the city of Davenport...
in Davenport.