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Corpus Christi Watershed

Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

Liturgy And Our Television Age

Jeff Ostrowski · November 2, 2012

HE OTHER DAY, I conceived of a theory (conclusion?) I wish to share. It was regarding the capacity of the modern Catholic to understand Liturgy. In particular, I asked myself whether we have reached a point of our “television culture” where everything is so informal and unstructured that any notion of dignified, proper Liturgical actions at Mass are lost. Perhaps the kind reader will allow me to explain.

First of all, we never discuss politics on the CCW Blog, because talking politics is not our calling: it is not something we focus on. When it comes to politics, all we really feel called to share is that the life issues are paramount for us. In other words, we must always promote what Pope John Paul II called a “Culture of Life” and do what we can to stop the murder of the innocent. This is very important.

In spite of this, I hope the reader will permit me to mention a small bit about politics, because it is impossible for me to make my point otherwise. I happened to see a section from one of the National Conventions on YouTube, where Cardinal Timothy Dolan was giving an important closing prayer for the convention. Hopefully my memory of the event is correct (my memory is not always reliable). To put it mildly, I was appalled.

First of all, the Cardinal was introduced by the Speaker of the House, who seemed to me (without question) to be drunk. For myself, I don’t drink, so I’m not an expert in this area, but I really felt that he was severely intoxicated, which I find scandalous. Drinking to excess is a sin. Furthermore, the Cardinal was trying to start the prayer, but the lights, sound, and special effects wouldn’t let him. (* Note this point) He just stood there, patiently waiting, and looking really foolish as balloons were coming down from the ceiling. Finally, he got sick of waiting (I, frankly, would have simply walked off the stage) and started the prayer. Nobody payed attention. Eventually, some of them stopped what they were doing and paid attention. It was a mess.

Why I am relating these events? Because I feel it gives us a clue why our liturgies have reached the point they have. We no longer seem to appreciate any sense of propriety, dignity, respectful behavior, “ordered movement” if you will. (In the liturgy, things must be done in a reverent, orderly way.)

I wonder if the constant and relentless “television society” has contributed to this. Have you noticed that absolutely everything is shown on television these days? Even the most intimate and private things are shown. Bad and ugly behavior is shown. Childish actions are glorified. There are even numerous shows that are “reality shows” or take you “behind the scenes,” so you see your favorite actors doing things that make you lose respect for them. Whose idea was this? It seems to me that in the old days they had a better sense of what types of things ought to be shown . . . and how they should be presented. I have reached a point where I will not watch television in public anymore: I’m just too embarrassed for the human race. In private I will watch Brother Cadfael movies, early episodes of Andy Griffith, documentaries about famous musicians, or other well-produced things. (And, ever since we started having kids, I cannot even remember the last time I watched anything!).

When people become accustomed to seeing sick, perverse, childish, ridiculous presented on the television screen, perhaps we should not be surprised that our liturgies are not dignified and reverent. Furthermore, showing intimate and special things on television really does “cheapen” life.

I hope that Corpus Christi Watershed can always continue to “build up” the culture, and be a real force for what is true, good, holy, and beautiful.

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

    PDF Download • “Offertory” for this Sunday
    This coming Sunday, 12 October 2025, is the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). Its OFFERTORY ANTIPHON (PDF) is gorgeous, and comes from the book of Esther, as did the ENTRANCE CHANT last Sunday. Depending on a variety of factors, various hand-missals (all with Imprimatur) translate this passage differently. For instance, “príncipis” can be rendered: King; Prince; Lion; or Fierce lord. None is “more correct” than another. It depends on what each translator wants to emphasize and which source text is chosen. All these pieces of plainsong are conveniently stored at the blue-ribbon feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Why A “Fugue” Here?
    I believe I know why this plainsong harmonizer created a tiny fugue as the INTRODUCTION to his accompaniment. Take a look (PDF example) and tell me your thoughts about what he did on the feast of the Flight of Our Lord Jesus Christ into Egypt (17 February). And now I must go because “tempus fugit” as they say!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Reminder” — Month of October (2025)
    Those who don’t sign up for our free EMAIL NEWSLETTER miss important notifications. Last week, for example, I sent a message about this job opening for a music director paying $65,000 per year plus benefits (plus weddings & funerals). Notice the job description says: “our vision for sacred music is to move from singing at Mass to truly singing the Mass wherein … especially the propers, ordinaries, and dialogues are given their proper place.” Signing up couldn’t be easier: simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
    The American Catholic Hymnal, with IMPRIMATUR granted (25 April 1991) by the Archdiocese of Chicago, is like a compendium of every horrible idea from the 1980s. Imagine being forced to stand all through Communion (even afterwards) when those self-same ‘enlightened’ liturgists moved the SEQUENCE before the Alleluia to make sure congregations wouldn’t have to stand during it. (Even worse, everything about the SEQUENCE—including its name—means it should follow the Alleluia.) And imagine endlessly repeating “Alleluia” during Holy Communion at every single Mass. It was all part of an effort to convince people that Holy Communion was historically a procession (which it wasn’t).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Fifty years ago, Dr. Theodore Marier made available this clever arrangement (PDF) of “Come down, O love divine” by P. R. Dietterich. The melody was composed in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (d. 1958) and named in honor of of his birthplace: DOWN AMPNEY. The arrangement isn’t a strict canon, but it does remind one of a canon since the pipe organ employs “points of imitation.” The melody and text are #709 in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“The plea that the laity as a body do not want liturgical change, whether in rite or in language, is, I submit, quite beside the point. … (it is) not a question of what people want; it is a question of what is good for them.”

— Dom Gregory A. Murray (14 March 1964)

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