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Views from the Choir Loft

Baptism of our son

Jeff Ostrowski · January 7, 2013

ENERALLY SPEAKING, I don’t like to share items of a “personal nature” on this Blog, which is dedicated to discussions of sacred music and the Roman liturgy. However, “for every rule, there is an exception,” and this will be an exception. Recently, our son was baptized by His Excellency, the Most Reverend René H. Gracida, Bishop Emeritus of Corpus Christi, TX.

Most Reverend Gracida, without question one of America’s most outstanding and distinguished bishops, fought the Nazis in the Second World War, flying 64 combat missions (B-17 bomber) over Germany in 1945. Our son is named after my grandfather—who also fought the Nazis—and who was an outstanding Catholic father.

The day was happy. We were particularly blessed by the presence of family members we love deeply and several of our closest friends. My brother, Mark, was the Godfather, and my sister-in-law, Cathy, was the Godmother. God-willing, Mark will be ordained a transitional Deacon in May. I had not been aware that clerics were allowed to act as Godparents, but recently a friend of mine told me this was perfectly fine. Because the friend who told me this happens to be a special assistant to Pope Benedict XVI, I thought to myself, “Well, that settles the matter!”

“The life of a Church musician is a life of sacrifice.” — words of wisdom from a great theologian

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 Los Angeles.—(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

    Hymn by Cardinal Newman
    During the season of Septuagesima, we will be using this hymn by Cardinal Newman, which employs both Latin and English. (Readers probably know that Cardinal Newman was one of the world's experts when it comes to Lingua Latina.) The final verse contains a beautiful soprano descant. Father Louis Bouyer—famous theologian, close friend of Pope Paul VI, and architect of post-conciliar reforms—wrote thus vis-à-vis the elimination of Septuagesima: “I prefer to say nothing, or very little, about the new calendar, the handiwork of a trio of maniacs who suppressed (with no good reason) Septuagesima and the Octave of Pentecost and who scattered three quarters of the Saints higgledy-piddledy, all based on notions of their own devising!”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Introit • Candlemas (2 February)
    “Candlemas” • Our choir sang on February 2nd, and here's a live recording of the beautiful INTROIT: Suscépimus Deus. We had very little time to rehearse, but I think it has some very nice moments. I promise that by the 8th Sunday after Pentecost it will be perfect! (That Introit is repeated on the 8th Sunday after Pentecost.) We still need to improve, but we're definitely on the right track!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Simplified Antiphons • “Candlemas”
    Anyone who desires simplified antiphons (“psalm tone versions”) for 2 February, the Feast of the Purification—which is also known as “Candlemas” or the Feast of the Presentation—may freely download them. The texts of the antiphons are quite beautiful. From “Lumen Ad Revelatiónem Géntium” you can hear a live excerpt (Mp3). I'm not a fan of chant in octaves, but we had such limited time to rehearse, it seemed the best choice. After all, everyone should have an opportunity to learn “Lumen Ad Revelatiónem Géntium,” which summarizes Candlemas.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“All those who take part in sacred music, as composers, organists, choir directors, singers, or musicians should above all give good example of Christian life to the rest of the faithful because they directly or indirectly participate in the sacred liturgy.”

— Directive issued under Pope Pius XII on 3 Sept. 1958

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