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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

Endeavor That Playing The Organ Be Not Lascivious Or Obscene

Jeff Ostrowski · March 1, 2013

ART AND PARCEL with the publication of the Campion Missal & Hymnal [url] was the necessity of writing many promotional articles. These articles invariably involved much discussion about the Roman liturgy. I think it is probably fair to say that anyone who examines the Campion Missal will soon realize how intimately “bound up” it is with the whole liturgical movement of the twentieth century. Briefly stated, the liturgical movement was an effort to help people in the pews pray the actual prayers of the Mass along with the priest, as opposed to (for example) praying the Rosary or other private devotions. This topic is so vast, I could probably write articles for the next four decades without running out of material. Furthermore, it is a complex issue: it’s not “black and white.” For instance, Cardinal Ratzinger pointed out that while praying the Rosary at Mass would probably not be considered the ideal, depending on each circumstance (and he used the example of his grandmother), praying the Rosary might actually be the most perfect way for that individual to assist at Mass. Let me say again, it’s a complex subject that can be difficult to write about in a satisfactory way.

Anyway, in light of all this, I thought the reader might be interested in this 1934 article [pdf] printed in the Caecilia Magazine. It’s only two pages long, but it describes how the organist ought to play the organ all through the Mass.   [Pause . . . allow the reader to be shocked by this statement.]

Let me say that again: the article describes the best ways of playing the organ all throughout the Low Mass. Believe it or not, this practice was not rare once upon a time. In France, many “bigtime” organists treated Low Masses as concerts. As I mentioned in my (too lengthy!) Preamble, this subject is complex. We ought not rush to judgement immediately. I think most Catholics would probably agree that playing organ throughout the entire Mass is probably not in keeping with the Liturgical Movement. However, I remember Jeffrey Morse (conductor at an FSSP parish in California) mentioning to me that he has attended such Masses and was quite moved. My advice? Read the article, ponder it, and come to your own conclusions.

In some of the publicity pieces I mentioned earlier, I have included articles like this one by Villani, but I must admit that no matter how many of these articles I read, it always strikes me as bizarre to hear organists describing, for instance, what stops to use during the Gospel. Note that Villani even quotes the Ceremonial of Bishops with regard to what type of music ought to be played during the Elevation . . .

I thought it was funny that the article mentioned “Cavendum est ne sonus organi sit lascivus aut impurus” (“Endeavor that the playing of the organ be not lascivious or obscene”). We all know that pieces like that were never played in Church circa 1934 . . . (I am being sarcastic, by the way!)

Speaking of Caecilia, it really was a well-produced magazine. It was not easy to print a monthly periodical during the Depression, yet they did. However, “all that glitters is not gold.” Not everything is the Caecilia is all that professional. For example, look at this 1935 biography of Fr. Franz Witt [pdf]. They make a big deal about it in the Table of Contents and . . . it’s literally a sentence long! Oops! I guess they said everything they needed to about Rev. Witt in that sentence . . . It reminds me of a sermon we once heard at a Latin Mass (Diocesan Indult) many years ago. The priest came to preach the homily, and he said something like, “So, my children, we must always strive to adhere to the Catholic Faith. What is the Catholic Faith? Read the Catechism: it’s all in there.” And that was it! That was the entirety of his homily! Incidentally, Fr. Franz Witt, a Catholic priest, was friends with Abbé Franz Liszt, and I believe they dedicated pieces to one another.

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

    Cardinal Ranjith on “Active Participation”
    From 2005–2009, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith served as Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. He was considered ‘papabile’ during the last conclave. On 8 December 2008, he wrote this powerful statement concerning Gregorian Chant, participatio actuosa, celebration “ad orientem,” and other subjects. When it comes to the question of what “sacred” means, Monsignor Robert A. Skeris provides a marvelous answer.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Music List” • 22nd in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 31 August 2025, which is the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the spectacular feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “The Worm That Dieth Not”
    My pastor asked me to write a column for our parish bulletin with reflections on the sacred liturgy and church music. In my most recent article, I discuss “The Worm That Dieth Not.” At this website, you can access it conveniently; simply scroll down to the one dated 31 August 2025.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Solemn “Salve Regina” (Chant)
    How many “S” words can you think of using alliteration? How about Schwann Solemn Salve Score? You can download the SOLEMN SALVE REGINA in Gregorian Chant. The notation follows the official rhythm (EDITIO VATICANA). Canon Jules Van Nuffel, choirmaster of the Cathedral of Saint Rumbold, composed this accompaniment for it (although some feel it isn’t his best work).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Pope Pius XII Hymnal?
    Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Hybrid” Chant Notation?
    Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

When we say: “The people like this” we regard them as unable to develop, as animals rather than human beings, and we simply neglect our duties in helping them towards a true human existence — indeed, in this case, to truly Christian existence.

— Professor László Dobszay (2003)

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