Views from the Choir Loft

PDF Download • Monsignor Ronald A. Knox “The Trials Of A Translator” (1949)

Jeff Ostrowski · March 28, 2016

HAVE ALREADY admitted how much I admire Msgr. Ronald Knox as a writer. In essence, this 113-page book is an apologia for his famous translation of the Bible. ¹ I hope you find this book as fascinating as I have:

* * PDF • TRIALS OF A TRANSLATOR (1949)

The Italians have a phrase: “The translator is a traitor.” Some love the Knox Bible, others hate it. There will always be people who quibble with translations—no matter what. If you search hard enough on the internet, you can even find people who claim that the 1970s ICEL translation of the Roman Missal was more accurate than the current one. For myself, I don’t see how they can hold this view:

* * PDF • COMPARISON CHART A

* * PDF • COMPARISON CHART B

I’m fine with folks offering substantive criticisms of the current ICEL translation, which is far from perfect. However, I find interesting that the same people desperate to poke holes in the new translation never opposed things like:

* * PDF • Theologically goofy hymn lyrics (Examples)

* * PDF • 1996 Publication by NPM

By remaining silent on atrocities like that, they have disqualified themselves (in my opinion) from commenting on the new translation of the Roman Missal. ²

I probably spend too much time trying to find the “perfect” translations for my choir. If you look at the Hymn on page 35 of this Good Friday booklet you’ll catch my drift…

NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1 The complete Knox Bible is available online.

2 For the record, many of these same people calmly accept rulings which say the GIRM can be ignored. The GIRM requires that any texts replacing the entrance antiphon must be approved by the local bishop or bishops’ conference.

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).

PDF • “Music List” (4th Sunday of Advent)

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 21 December 2025, which is the 4th Sunday of Advent (Year A). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The ENTRANCE CHANT is the famous “Roráte Coeli” 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

PDF • Our Lady of Guadalupe (12 Dec.)

The Responsorial Psalm may be downloaded as a PDF file (organist & vocalist) for 12 December, which is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. When it comes to the formulary for this Mass, it’s astounding how infrequently it’s included in official books. Prior to Vatican II, one had to search through “supplemental material” printed in the back of hand-missals and graduals. But since 1970, the feast is virtually nonexistent. According to the UNIVERSAL KALENDAR, 12 December is the “Feast of Saint Jane Frances De Chantal, Religious” (Die 12 decembris: S. Ioannæ Franciscæ de Chantal, religiosæ). Why should that feast overpower Our Lady of Guadalupe? In the United States, OLG is celebrated—and I’d assume in Mexico, Central America, South America, and Canada—but, as I said, the Propria Missae are virtually impossible to locate. I possess only three books which mention this feast.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Simplified Accompaniment (Advent Hymn)

Many organists are forced to simultaneously serve as both CANTOR and ACCOMPANIST. In spite of what some claim, this can be difficult. I invite you to download this simplified organ accompaniment (PDF) which in the Father Brébeuf Hymnal is hymn #661: “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” (for ADVENT). I’m toying with the idea of creating a whole bunch of these, to help amateur organists. The last one I uploaded was downloaded more than 2,900 times in a matter of hours—so there appears to be interest.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • “Santo Santo Santo”

Those searching for a dignified, brief, simple, bright setting of SANCTUS in Spanish (“Santo Santo Santo”) are invited to download this Setting in honor of Saint John Brébeuf (organist & vocalist). I wonder if there would be any interest in me recording a rehearsal video for this piece.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Pope Leo XIV on Sacred Music

On 5 December 2025, Pope Leo XIV made this declaration with regard to liturgical music.

—Corpus Christi Watershed

“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