Views from the Choir Loft

Latin Mass Training Videos (FSSP/EWTN)

Corpus Christi Watershed · May 30, 2013

How to say Mass in the Extraordinary Form:
1 of 20 • Preparation of the Altar
2 of 20 • Vesting in the Sacristy
3 of 20 • Chapter 3: Procession & Arrival at the Altar
4 of 20 • Chapter 4: Prayers at the Foot of the Altar
5 of 20 • Chapter 5: The Introit
6 of 20 • Chapter 6: Kyrie & Gloria
7 of 20 • Chapter 7: The Collect & Epistle
8 of 20 • Chapter 8: The Gospel & Creed
9 of 20 • Chapter 9: The Offertory (Part I)
10 of 20 • Chapter 10: Offertory (Part II)
11 of 20 • Chapter 11: The Preface
12 of 20 • Chapter 12: The Canon (Part I)
13 of 20 • Chapter 13: The Consecration
14 of 20 • Chapter 14: The Canon (Part II)
15 of 20 • Chapter 15: The Pater Noster & Fractio
16 of 20 • Chapter 16: The Communion of the Priest
17 of 20 • Chapter 17: The Ablutions
18 of 20 • Chapter 18: The Postcommunion & Final Blessing
19 of 20 • Chapter 19: The Last Gospel & Leonine Prayers
20 of 20 • Chapter 20: The Recession & Unvesting

Preliminary Videos
Introduction • Fr. John Berg, Superior General of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter
Summorum Pontificum • Reflections by Darío Cardinal Castrillón Hoyos
Introduction • Fr. Calvin Goodwin, FSSP

Additional Videos
Latin Polyphony • Motets for three voices
Variations when celebrating the Traditional Latin Mass
Principles of Movement and Gesture in the Liturgy
Spiritual Commentary • 40 minutes long • Fr. Calvin Goodwin
FSSP Video Trailer (High Resolution) • (Low Resolution)

Training Videos Produced by the Vatican (Low Mass)
English Introduction • Darío Cardinal Castrillón Hoyos
Part I • Sections 1-3
Part II • Sections 4-5
Part III • Section 6
Part IV • Sections 7-9
Part V • Sections 10-11

Mass with Deacon & Subdeacon
Solemn High Latin Mass • 1941, Our Lady of Sorrows • Narration by Fulton J. Sheen

Longer versions of the FSSP YouTube Videos (above)
1 of 3 • 30 minutes long • Chapters 1-8
2 of 3 • 30 minutes long • Chapters 9-14
3 of 3 • 24 minutes long • Chapters 15-20

Click here to learn more.

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

Bugnini’s Statement (6 November 1966)

With each passing day, more is revealed about how the enemies of the liturgy accomplished their goals. For instance, Hannibal Bugnini deeply resented the way Vatican II said Gregorian Chant “must be given first place in liturgical services.” On 6 November 1966, his cadre wrote a letter attempting to justify the elimination of Gregorian Chant with this brazen statement: “What really gives a Mass its tone is not so much the songs as it is the prayers and readings.” Bugnini’s cadre then attacked the very heart of Gregorian Chant (viz. the Proprium Missae), bemoaning how the Proprium Missae “is completely new each Sunday and feast day.” There is much more to be said about this topic. Stay tuned.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Luis Martínez Must Go!

Sevilla Cathedral (entry dated 13 December 1564): The chapter orders Luis Martínez, a cathedral chaplain, to stay away from the choirbook-stand when the rest of the singers gather around it to sing polyphony—the reason being that “he throws the others out of tune.” [Excerpt from “The Life of Father Francisco Guerrero.”]

—Jeff Ostrowski

Urgent! • We Desperately Need Funds!

A few days ago, the president of Corpus Christi Watershed posted this urgent appeal for funds. Please help us make sure we’re never forced to place our content behind a paywall. We feel it’s crucial that 100% of our content remains free to everyone. We’re a tiny 501(c)3 public charity, entirely dependent upon the generosity of small donors. We have no endowment and no major donors. We run no advertisements and have no savings. We beg you to consider donating $4.00 per month. Thank you!

—Jeff Ostrowski

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

On 12 March 1908, Feast of St. Gregory the Great, the complete publication of the “Graduale” was issued by the Vatican Press. That very day, Dom Pothier solemnly presented the first copy to the Holy Father. Pius X wished to be the first to see the new book; he opened it at random, at page 128 of the supplement “pro aliquibus locis”—the Introit of the new Feast of Our lady of Lourdes. The Pope sang it with perfect taste to the last note.

— A witness of the papal audience writing circa 1915