Views from the Choir Loft

PDF Download • “Story of Redemption” for Children (1952) • With Audio Recordings!

Jeff Ostrowski · October 26, 2015

AINT ANTOINE DANIEL, one of the brave Jesuit Martyrs of North America, taught the young Huron children Catholic truths by means of simple rhymes. I hope you’ll download the fabulous book by Fr. John A. O’Brien about these martyrs, but if you’re short on time, read the excerpts about St. Antoine Daniel. In 1952, something similar was created by Sister Joanne and Father Abair:

* Complete PDF • “Story of Redemption” (1952)

PART 01 : Video • Mp3 • Our Lady

PART 02 : Video • Mp3 • Paradise

PART 03 : Video • Mp3 • Sin

PART 04 : Video • Mp3 • Expulsion

PART 05 : Video • Mp3 • Annunciation

PART 06 : Video • Mp3 • To Bethlehem

PART 07 : Video • Mp3 • Savior’s Birth

PART 08 : Video • Mp3 • Shepherds

PART 09 : Video • Mp3 • Wise Men

PART 10 : Video • Mp3 • Lost Sheep

PART 11 : Video • Mp3 • Pharisee & Publican

PART 12 : Video • Mp3 • Passion

PART 13 : Video • Mp3 • Crucifixion

PART 14 : Video • Mp3 • Resurrection

PART 15 : Video • Mp3 • Pentecost

PART 16 : Video • Mp3 • Assumption

PART 17 : Video • Mp3 • Christ The King

I KNOW HOW MUCH the “elites” love telling us everything was horrible before Vatican II, but I keep discovering evidence that contradicts their assurances. The 1950s seems to have been a wonderful time for Catholics. The collection above probably doesn’t contain the greatest poems in the world—although they are certainly more inspired than 95% of our modern “hymns.” On the other hand, they teach children wonderful melodies like the “Vexilla Regis,” which serves as the basis for several astounding KYRIE settings (by Palestrina) sung each Sunday by FSSP.la.

If any readers use these resources, please let me know!

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

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).

Dr. Mahrt explains the ‘Spoken’ Propers

In 1970, the Church promulgated a new version of the Roman Missal. It goes by various names: Ordinary Form, Novus Ordo, MISSALE RECENS, and so on. If you examine the very first page, you’ll notice that Pope Saint Paul VI explains the meaning of the ‘Spoken Propers’ (which are for Masses without singing). A quote by Dr. William P. Mahrt is also included in that file. The SPOKEN PROPERS—used at Masses without music—are sometimes called The Adalbert Propers, because they were created in 1969 by Father Adalbert Franquesa Garrós, one of Hannibal Bugnini’s closest friends (according to Yves Chiron).

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF • “Music List” (1st Sunday of Advent)

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 30 November 2025, which is the 1st Sunday of Advent (Year A). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The ENTRANCE CHANT is quite memorable, and the fauxbourdon setting of the COMMUNION is exquisite. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are available at the feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Music List” • Christ the King Sunday

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 23 November 2025, which is the 34th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. In the 1970 Missal, this Sunday is known as: Domini Nostri Jesu Christi Universorum Regis (“Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe”). As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the magnificent feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Translations Approved for Liturgical Use”

According to the newsletter for USSCB’s Committee on Divine Worship dated September 1996, there are three (3) translations of the Bible which can be used in the sacred liturgy in the United States. You can read this information with your own eyes. It seems the USCCB and also Rome fully approved the so-called NRSV (“New Revised Standard Version”) on 13 November 1991 and 6 April 1992 but this permission was then withdrawn in 1994.

—Corpus Christi Watershed

Gospel Options for 2 November (“All Souls”)

We’ve been told some bishops are suppressing the TLM because of “unity.” But is unity truly found in the MISSALE RECENS? For instance, on All Souls (2 November), any of these Gospel readings may be chosen, for any reason (or for no reason at all). The same is true of the Propria Missæ and other readings—there are countless options in the ORDINARY FORM. In other words, no matter which OF parish you attend on 2 November, you’ll almost certainly hear different propers and readings, to say nothing of different ‘styles’ of music. Where is the “unity” in all this? Indeed, the Second Vatican Council solemnly declared: “Even in the liturgy, the Church has no wish to impose a rigid uniformity in matters which do not implicate the faith or the good of the whole community.”

—Corpus Christi Watershed

“Our Father” • Musical Setting?

Looking through a Roman Catholic Hymnal published in 1859 by Father Guido Maria Dreves (d. 1909), I stumbled upon this very beautiful tune (PDF file). I feel it would be absolutely perfect to set the “Our Father” in German to music. Thoughts?

—Jeff Ostrowski