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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

“Chronicles of Narnia” by Msgr. Richard Schuler

Jeff Ostrowski · April 5, 2013

ANY TIMES IN THE PAST, I have mentioned that our blog is a positive blog. However, from time to time we will publish documentation of realities in the Church, so that we can be “armed with knowledge.” This ought not be viewed as “negativity.” Reality is reality, and we are called to be aware of reality. The true title is not Chronicles of Narnia (it is actually A Chronicle of the Reform), but sometimes the information related is so wacky it feels like reading a fantasy novel:

      * *  Part V • Schuler’s Chronicle of a Reform [pdf]

I don’t always agree with Msgr. Schuler about every subject. One of my biggest disagreements has to do with using “Viennese School” music at Holy Mass. Msgr. Schuler admits that such music (by Mozart, Haydn, Schubert, Beethoven, etc.) has a compositional style indistinguishable from secular music. However, he claims that such music can be used during Mass because it was sacred “in language and intent.” In other words, Msgr. Schuler claims that so long as the composer “intended it for use in Church” and it does not alter the text, it is fine to use at Mass. At some later time, I shall examine in greater detail the articles he wrote defending this theory.

However, when it comes to historical facts in the above article, there can be no disagreement. Everything is documented in the footnotes. Msgr. Schuler was very knowledgable about such things, and served in many high level positions. So often in today’s world we “skim” articles. We do not carefully read each word. However, the above is one of those articles that can be read and re-read year after year with profit. If you care to read the entire series by Schuler, you can do so here [pdf].

[ P.S. The good news is, a few years ago, the terrible document Schuler cites in that article was gotten rid of. It has been replaced by Sing to the Lord, which is a real improvement. ]

A few thoughts about that article . . .

There is much that could be said about the article. I will basically “hold my tongue” so the reader can draw his own conclusions.

ABOVE ALL, I am struck by the HORRIBLE SITUATION the Church found herself in during the 1960s. I used to think that the major problems set in at the beginning of the 1970s. This article clearly documents unbelievably terrible things happening in the 1960s.

Here are a few items:

1.

In fact, in some dioceses, their use was prohibited by local legislation that forbade the use of Latin. For a partial list of dioceses in the United States with regulations against the use of Latin, see Johannes Overath, ed. Sacred Music and Liturgy Reform after Vatican II, Rome 1969, p. 22-23.

Can anybody provide this 1969 article? I’ve heard that some Bishops did this, but seeing documentation would be great.

2.

See Richard J. Schuler, “By Whose Authority?” The Wanderer, April 4, 1968, p. 3.

Can anyone provide this article from 1968? I didn’t even realize The Wanderer was around in 1968 !!!

3.

“Music, more than any other resource, makes a celebration of the liturgy an attractive human experience.”
“The faith of those present accomplishes the marvelous change called transubstantiation.”
“The primary sign of the Eucharist are (sic) people gathering together, not the bread and wine or words.”

Say what??

4.

“The hootenanny Mass can give explicit eucharistic and christological specification to youth’s intense involvement in the movements for racial justice, for control of nuclear weapons, for the recognition of personal dignity.”

Say what??

5.

Some of the “top ten” of the liturgical hits in the late sixties were: Michael, Row the Boat; Blowing in the Wind; Gypsy Rover; and Kum-bay-a. Often these had newly composed words whose literary worth was worse than liturgical value of the melodies. Others were totally secular in both words and music, e.g., Hush Little Baby; There is a Ship; Try to Remember; This Land is Your Land, etc.

This is the music of my childhood during Holy Mass . . . but I had no idea such drivel was already around during the 1960s.

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

    New Bulletin Article • “21 September 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 21 September 2025) discusses some theological items—supported by certain verses in ancient Catholic hymns—and ends by explaining why certain folks become delirious with jealousy when they observe feats by Monsignor Ronald Knox.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Cheap! Cheap! Cheap!
    It’s always amusing to see old diocesan newspapers—in huge capital letters—advertising the Cheapest Catholic Paper in the United States. The correspondent who sent this to me added: “I can think of certain composers, published by large companies in our own day, who could truthfully brag about the most tawdry compositions in the world!” I wonder what she could have meant by such a cryptic comment…
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • Dom Murray Harmonies
    Along with so many others, I have deep respect for Dom Gregory Gregory Murray, who produced this clever harmonization (PDF) of “O SANCTISSIMA.” It’s always amazed me that Dom Gregory—a truly inspired composer—was so confused when it came to GREGORIAN CHANT. Throughout his life, he published contradictory statements, veering back-and-forth like a weather vane. Toward the end of his life, he declared: “I see clearly that the need for reform in liturgical music arose, not in the 18th and 19th centuries, but a thousand years earlier—in the 8th and 9th centuries, or even before that. The abuses began, not with Mozart and Haydn, but with those over-enthusiastic medieval musicians who developed the elaborate and flamboyant Gregorian Chant.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Karl Keating • “Canonization Questions”
    We were sent an internet statement (screenshot) that’s garnered significant attention, in which KARL KEATING (founder of Catholic Answers) speaks about whether canonizations are infallible. Mr. Keating seems unaware that canonizations are—in the final analysis—a theological opinion. They are not infallible, as explained in this 2014 article by a priest (with a doctorate in theology) who worked for multiple popes. Mr. Keating says: “I’m unaware of such claims arising from any quarter until several recent popes disliked by these Traditionalists were canonized, including John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul II. Usually Paul VI receives the most opprobrium.” Mr. Keating is incorrect; e.g. Father John Vianney, several centuries ago, taught clearly that canonizations are not infallible. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen would be another example, although clearly much more recent than Saint John Vianney.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Vatican II Changed Wedding Propers?
    It’s often claimed that the wedding propers were changed after Vatican II. As a matter of fact, that is a false claim. The EDITIO VATICANA propers (Introit: Deus Israel) remained the same after Vatican II. However, a new set of propers (Introit: Ecce Deus) was provided for optional use. The same holds true for the feast of Pope Saint Gregory the Great on 3 September: the 1943 propers (Introit: Si díligis me) were provided for optional use, but the traditional PROPRIA MISSAE (Introit: Sacerdótes Dei) were retained; they weren’t gotten rid of. The Ordo Cantus Missae (1970) makes this crystal clear, as does the Missal itself. There was an effort made in the post-conciliar years to eliminate so-called “Neo-Gregorian” chants, but (contrary to popular belief) most were retained: cf. the feast of Christ the King, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, and so forth.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    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

Random Quote

By far, the event that caused the biggest increase in requests for indults from the morning Mass requirement was the Second World War. The unusual requirements of providing Mass during wartime led to some unique legislation accommodating the time of Mass. Already in 1940, Pope Pius XII issued a motu proprio addressing the situation of holding Mass in countries where a “Black-out” had been ordered.

— Father Shawn P. Tunink

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