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“A much greater source of anxiety to Us is the style of action of those who maintain that liturgical worship should shed its sacred character, who foolishly say we should substitute for sacred items & furnishings ordinary common things in daily use.” —Pope Saint Paul VI (14 Oct 1968)

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Views from the Choir Loft

My Reflections On The Election Of Pope Francis

Jeff Ostrowski · March 15, 2013

ONSIDERING the massive media coverage given to the election of our new Pope, I have to question whether these few thoughts of mine will even be read, but here they are, just in case.

It seems to me that sometimes the choice of a Pope is obvious. For instance, in 1939, on the eve of the Second World War, Eugenio Pacelli seemed obvious. Pacelli was almost a “super man.” Intelligent beyond belief, a violinist and great Theologian, Pacelli possessed a tremendous amount of experience doing all kinds of things and, what’s more, he was . . . saintly and holy. I have no doubt that before WW2, the Cardinals were basically saying, “Who can help us? Who has the authority and knowledge and experience to help us through such times? To whom can we turn? Who can lead us in such times?” The answer was obvious in 1939.

Similarly, I think the choice of Pope Benedict XVI was obvious. Cardinal Ratzinger had “done it all”: a brilliant Theologian, he was a former Seminary professor, published author, former head of a huge Diocese, a man with an immaculate record, and someone who had worked at the highest levels of the Church and knew inside out the Curia Romana, since he was head of the Holy Office for many years. Furthermore, Ratzinger was . . . saintly and holy. Those of us who loved “B16” believe that no successor will be able to surpass such a legacy as he left, at least for many years. Only one man could have taken on the severe problems in the Church, and that man was Cardinal Ratzinger, appointed by our Lord Himself for such a task. In 2005, the choice was obvious.

2013 was a surprise. I am so glad CCW made the decision not to make any “predictions” (see my earlier post) because not a single person in the media had a clue Cardinal Bergoglio would be elected. I have a friend who worked directly for the Pope for many years, and he had specifically told me, “Don’t listen to what people are saying, because they have not a clue! Not a clue!”

It seems to me that in 2013 the Cardinals have elected a Pope who will work to strengthen Spanish-speaking Catholics and bring attention to the poor and destitute. Although I know very little about Pope Francis, everything I’ve read about him is positive, and he seems to possess great holiness and love for our Savior Jesus Christ. Furthermore, he entered the Jesuit order before that order went “downhill.” Such a move required great sacrifice, dedication, and discipline. Back in those days (the “old Jesuits”), Jesuits had to study for 13 years prior to ordination. I’ve heard people say bad things about Jesuits, but they must be talking about the “new Jesuits” (many of whom, sadly, have fallen into heresy, the scourge of our age). If people knew anything about the Old Jesuits, they would shut their mouths, because the Old Jesuits were men of unspeakable holiness, intelligence, and BRAVERY. Let us pray that Pope Francis follows the lead of the Old Jesuits: Jogues, Bressani, Campion, Southwell, Brébeuf, Le Moyne, Lalemant, Lalande, and a million other examples. Many of the comments I hear about Jesuits are just plain ignorant: especially when one considers the amount of harm non-Jesuit priests have done to the Catholic Church. This canard needs to die.

In summation, I feel that God has blessed us. Pope Francis will be a wonderful Pope. However, he will not be as great a Pope as Benedict XVI, because we will not see a man of that character, intelligence, and holiness for many, many years in my humble opinion.

*  A friend E-mailed me and let me know the Jesuits are reforming, and their new priests are young and orthodox — Deo gratias!

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Jeff Ostrowski

Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004). He resides with his wife and children in Michigan. —(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    “What Martin Luther Said…”
    My pastor asked me to write little columns for the bulletin each week. The article for 20 July 2025 has been posted, and it’s called: “What Luther Said…” Martin Luther (an ex-priest and apostate) was an infamous heretic whose ignorance of JESUS CHRIST was only exceeded by his filthy and disgusting vulgarity.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Music List” • 15th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I prepared for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (13 July 2025). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and propers for this Sunday are also provided at the the feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    This coming Sunday—13 July 2025—is the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). All the chants have been conveniently assembled and posted at the feasts website. The OFFERTORY, Ad Te Levávi, is particularly beautiful.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Pope Pius XII Hymnal?
    Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Hybrid” Chant Notation?
    Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Antiphons Don’t Match?
    A reader wants to know why the Entrance and Communion antiphons in certain publications deviate from what’s prescribed by the GRADUALE ROMANUM published after Vatican II. Click here to read our answer. The short answer is: the Adalbert Propers were never intended to be sung. They were intended for private Masses only (or Masses without music). The “Graduale Parvum,” published by the John Henry Newman Institute of Liturgical Music in 2023, mostly uses the Adalbert Propers—but sometimes uses the GRADUALE text: e.g. Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (29 June).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“It is profitable for me that shame hath covered my face so I may seek consolation in Thee rather than in men.” (From the Imitation of Christ by Father Thomas à Kempis)

— Cardinal Merry del Val’s Prayer-Book

Recent Posts

  • “Musicam Sacram” (5 March 1967) • Does It Apply?
  • “What Martin Luther Said…”
  • “Music List” • 15th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
  • Worship the Lord in Holy Attire
  • “How to Conduct 90 Vespers Services Each Year and Live to Tell the Tale.”

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