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Views from the Choir Loft

My Reflections On The Election Of Pope Francis

Jeff Ostrowski · March 15, 2013

ONSIDERING the massive media coverage given to the election of our new Pope, I have to question whether these few thoughts of mine will even be read, but here they are, just in case.

It seems to me that sometimes the choice of a Pope is obvious. For instance, in 1939, on the eve of the Second World War, Eugenio Pacelli seemed obvious. Pacelli was almost a “super man.” Intelligent beyond belief, a violinist and great Theologian, Pacelli possessed a tremendous amount of experience doing all kinds of things and, what’s more, he was . . . saintly and holy. I have no doubt that before WW2, the Cardinals were basically saying, “Who can help us? Who has the authority and knowledge and experience to help us through such times? To whom can we turn? Who can lead us in such times?” The answer was obvious in 1939.

Similarly, I think the choice of Pope Benedict XVI was obvious. Cardinal Ratzinger had “done it all”: a brilliant Theologian, he was a former Seminary professor, published author, former head of a huge Diocese, a man with an immaculate record, and someone who had worked at the highest levels of the Church and knew inside out the Curia Romana, since he was head of the Holy Office for many years. Furthermore, Ratzinger was . . . saintly and holy. Those of us who loved “B16” believe that no successor will be able to surpass such a legacy as he left, at least for many years. Only one man could have taken on the severe problems in the Church, and that man was Cardinal Ratzinger, appointed by our Lord Himself for such a task. In 2005, the choice was obvious.

2013 was a surprise. I am so glad CCW made the decision not to make any “predictions” (see my earlier post) because not a single person in the media had a clue Cardinal Bergoglio would be elected. I have a friend who worked directly for the Pope for many years, and he had specifically told me, “Don’t listen to what people are saying, because they have not a clue! Not a clue!”

It seems to me that in 2013 the Cardinals have elected a Pope who will work to strengthen Spanish-speaking Catholics and bring attention to the poor and destitute. Although I know very little about Pope Francis, everything I’ve read about him is positive, and he seems to possess great holiness and love for our Savior Jesus Christ. Furthermore, he entered the Jesuit order before that order went “downhill.” Such a move required great sacrifice, dedication, and discipline. Back in those days (the “old Jesuits”), Jesuits had to study for 13 years prior to ordination. I’ve heard people say bad things about Jesuits, but they must be talking about the “new Jesuits” (many of whom, sadly, have fallen into heresy, the scourge of our age). If people knew anything about the Old Jesuits, they would shut their mouths, because the Old Jesuits were men of unspeakable holiness, intelligence, and BRAVERY. Let us pray that Pope Francis follows the lead of the Old Jesuits: Jogues, Bressani, Campion, Southwell, Brébeuf, Le Moyne, Lalemant, Lalande, and a million other examples. Many of the comments I hear about Jesuits are just plain ignorant: especially when one considers the amount of harm non-Jesuit priests have done to the Catholic Church. This canard needs to die.

In summation, I feel that God has blessed us. Pope Francis will be a wonderful Pope. However, he will not be as great a Pope as Benedict XVI, because we will not see a man of that character, intelligence, and holiness for many, many years in my humble opinion.

*  A friend E-mailed me and let me know the Jesuits are reforming, and their new priests are young and orthodox — Deo gratias!

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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Jeff Ostrowski

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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Quick Thoughts

5 April 2021 • When Girls *SING*

Covid restrictions here in California are still extremely severe—switching “two weeks to flatten the curve” into “two years to flatten the curve.” Since 2020, we’ve had police breaking into our church to check if everyone is wearing a mask…even when only 5-6 people are present! But we were allowed to have a small percentage of our singers back on Easter Sunday, and here is their live recording of the ancient Catholic hymn for Eastertide: Ad Cenam Agni Providi. The girls were so very excited to sing again—you can hear it in their voices!

—Jeff Ostrowski
29 March 2021 • FEEDBACK

“E.S.” in North Dakota writes: “I just wanted to take a moment to say THANK YOU for all the hard work you have put—and continue to put—into your wonderful website. In the past two years, my parish has moved from a little house basement into a brand new church and gone from a few families receiving Low Masses twice a month to several families (and many individuals) receiving Mass every Sunday, two Saturdays a month, and every Holy Day. Our priest has been incorporating more and more High Masses and various ceremonies into our lives, which has made my job as a huge newbie choir master very trying and complicated. CCWatershed has been an invaluable resource in helping me get on my feet and know what to do!!! Thank you more than I can express! May God bless you abundantly and assist you in your work and daily lives!”

—Jeff Ostrowski
29 March 2021 • Condemned?

On Palm Sunday, the Passion was read. Immediately after mention is made of the betrayal by Judas, the Holy Eucharist is introduced. Is this not a condemnation of “Christians” who deny the Church teaching on the SANCTISSIMUM? Here is Matthew 26: And Judas that betrayed him, answering, said: “Is it I, Rabbi?” He saith to him: “Thou hast said it.” And whilst they were at supper, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke: and gave to his disciples, and said: Take ye, and eat. This is my body.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

The ratio of voices in modern choirs is usually wrong. Basses should be numerically greatest, then altos, then tenors, then sopranos. One good soprano can carry a high “A” against 30 lower voices.

— Roger Wagner

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