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“What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too…” Pope Benedict XVI (7 July 2007)

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Views from the Choir Loft

Archives for February 2013

Dr. Peter Kwasniewski · February 28, 2013

Nothing That Requires Explanation?

Pope Benedict XVI’s Summorum Pontificum has inaugurated the liturgical renewal the Council attempted.

Andrew R. Motyka · February 27, 2013

The Church Music Director: Job or Vocation?

Is music your whole life? Should it be?

Jeff Ostrowski · February 27, 2013

The Resignation of Pope Benedict XVI

“Say not only prayers of petition, for that is the way of the greedy. Let us pray always for resignation to the will of God. That is the prayers of the saints.” —Bishop Fulton J. Sheen

Cynthia Ostrowski · February 26, 2013

Catholic Line Art, Black and White • Installment #07

I will be releasing hundreds of these B/W religious line art drawings for free and instant download. These beautiful Catholic “woodcuts” were done with magnificent skill. “Download Free Traditional Catholic Clipart”

Aristotle A. Esguerra · February 25, 2013

A Deacon on Devotional and Liturgical Music

Just because devotional music isn’t meant for liturgy doesn’t mean that it’s bad per se. A deacon’s brief observations between devotional and liturgical music.

Cynthia Ostrowski · February 25, 2013

Now Available! Organ Accompaniments for Latin Mass Hymnal

Last week, 800 pages of organ accompaniments starting shipping. These correspond to the only congregational Hymnal & Missal currently available for the Latin Mass.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 25, 2013

“Spinning The Wheel” Each Week For Hymns

Each and every week, thousands of Catholics play “Spin the Wheel for Hymns” instead of using the sacred and ancient texts prescribed by the Church. What does this have to do with a rich man born without legs and arms?

Fr. David Friel · February 24, 2013

Two Lenten Passages

Doing the Will of the Father

Corpus Christi Watershed · February 23, 2013

A Prayer For The Mission of CCW

“You, Father, are the great Artist of creation. In You, therefore, we find our highest model and our perfect end. Make us good artists, good stewards, and good disciples.”

Jeff Ostrowski · February 23, 2013

The New Translation of the Roman Missal

“One is not only appalled by the banality of that English translation, but what strikes one so forcibly is the damage done to the very content of the Latin prayers in what is supposed to pass as a translation.” (1990 article by Msgr. Schuler)

Richard J. Clark · February 22, 2013

Exodus and the Chair of Saint Peter

In his book “The Spirit of the Liturgy,” Pope Benedict reminds us that Israel’s flight from Egypt had two distinct goals. One was to reach the Promised Land. But the second is perhaps far more important: Exodus 7:16 “Let my people go, that they may serve me.”

Jeff Ostrowski · February 21, 2013

Easter Proclamation (Exsultet) – LOWER RECORDING – New Translation (Roman Missal 3rd Edition)

Click here to go back to the Exsultet Website. Click here to learn more about the Vatican II Hymnal.

Dr. Peter Kwasniewski · February 21, 2013

Keep Calm and Carry On

The irony is that the internet has become a major tool for the success of this movement of restoration ― the restoration of a liturgical tradition that long predates the technology of the printing press, let alone any electric or electronic machinery.

Andrew R. Motyka · February 20, 2013

Are You to Wash My Feet?

Presenting a choir piece for the Washing of Feet on Holy Thursday

Cynthia Ostrowski · February 19, 2013

Catholic Line Art, Black and White • Installment #06

I will be releasing hundreds of these B/W religious line art drawings for free and instant download. These beautiful Catholic “woodcuts” were done with magnificent skill. “Download Free Traditional Catholic Clipart”

Aristotle A. Esguerra · February 18, 2013

First Impressions of Bishop Sample’s Pastoral Letter on Sacred Music

A bishop issues diocesan-wide directives on the role of music in the liturgy. A look at some of the more noteworthy instructions.

Fr. David Friel · February 17, 2013

Humility

The Root Virtue

Jeff Ostrowski · February 17, 2013

A Word About Hymns . . . OK, A Few Words!

Tozer: “I have, on the other hand, retained several more or less traditional tunes, absolutely valueless and without merit from a musical point of view, but which seem to have become a necessity if a book is to appeal — as I hope this one will — to the varied needs of various churches.”

Jeff Ostrowski · February 16, 2013

Famous Conductor Fired Because He Refused To Sing Hymn

The following letter was printed in the “Sacred Music Journal” (Winter of 2002). I was shocked when I first read it. It concerns a conductor famous for his performances of the works of William Byrd.

Richard J. Clark · February 15, 2013

A Proposed Lenten Fast for Musicians

Christ’s love has gathered us into one. True, we may be united in the love of Christ—but not necessarily in other things. Our differences may be vast. This is where the bounds of love and Christian charity are truly tested.

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Quick Thoughts

Alabama Assessment!

We received this evaluation of Symposium 2022 from an Alabama participant:

“Oh, how the Symposium echoed the words of Cardinal Merry Del Val: …choosing only what is most conformed to Thy glory, which is my final aim. In one short and fast paced week, the faculty and attendees showed me the hand of God and our Lady working in our lives. The wide range of education—from Gregorian Chant, jazz modes in organ improvisation, to ‘staying sane’ while leading a choir—were certainly first-class knowledge from the best teachers of the art. However, the most powerful lesson was learning how to pray as a choir. The sacrifice of putting songs together, taking time to learn the sacred text, meditating on the church teaching through the chants, and gaining the virtues required to persevere in these duties were not only qualities of a choir but of a saint. The sanctification of the lives of the attendees was a beautiful outcome of this event … and that in itself is worth more than a beautifully-sung Solesmes style chant!”

—Jeff Ostrowski
PDF Download • Trinity Sunday (22 pages)

Feel free to download this Organ Accompaniment Booklet for Trinity Sunday (Second Vespers). Notice how the modes progress by number. Psalm 1 is mode 1; Psalm 2 is mode 2; Psalm 3 is mode 3; Psalm 4 is mode 4; Psalm 5 is mode 5. I am told by an expert that other feasts (such as Corpus Christi) are likewise organized by mode, and it’s called a “numerical office.”

—Jeff Ostrowski
10 June 2022 • “Official” rhythm of plainsong

I continue to search for the most beautiful way to present the “pure” Editio Vaticana scores. (Technically, the “pure” rhythm of the official edition is what everyone is supposed to use.) You can download my latest attempt, which is the Introit for this coming Sunday: Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. Because this is not an ancient feast, the Introit had to be adapted (perhaps around 750AD). Prior Johner says the adaptation is “not an entirely happy one.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“The introduction of the vernacular will certainly be a great sacrifice for those who know the beauty, the power and the expressive sacrality of Latin. We are parting with the speech of the Christian centuries; we are becoming like profane intruders in the literary preserve of sacred utterance. We will lose a great part of that stupendous and incomparable artistic and spiritual thing, the Gregorian chant. We have reason indeed for regret […] We are giving up something of priceless worth.”

— Pope Paul VI

Recent Posts

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  • Alabama Assessment!
  • “How Has Nobody Done This Before?” • Vol. 1
  • “Exceeded Every Expectation!” • Mr. O’Brien’s Review
  • “81 Photos” • Sacred Music Symposium 2022

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