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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

Fr. George Rutler Weighs In On The Campion Missal

Jeff Ostrowski · April 15, 2013

ATHER GEORGE RUTLER is known all over the world as a preacher, and like many other Catholics, I grew up listening to his tapes (they were “cassette tapes” in those days). However, it turns out Fr. Rutler has many other talents. Among other things, he’s a truly gifted musician, first rate painter, and quite a sportsman, including things we might not expect, like boxing. I’m not a good writer, so rather than going on and on, let me simply say that Fr. Rutler is a truly brilliant man.

I would like to share a comment Fr. Rutler made about the Campion Missal [url]:

“Attractively, even elegantly, produced, the appearance of this Missal and Hymnal is appropriate to the high quality of the contents. It should be of great benefit of those who assist at the Traditional Mass and those who would be interested in learning more about it.”
        — Rev. George William Rutler

More than a decade ago, I listened to Fr. Rutler give a talk about beauty. If I remember correctly, he said beautiful things possess “goodness and perfection of form,” or some such words. Then he pointed out, “You will never understand the purpose and order of the universe if you like rock music. Have you ever noticed that rock music has no form? It doesn’t even have a proper ending: it just fades out.” These words are quite profound, and he’s absolutely right: rock music usually has no form or structure. It’s usually just a “riff” that repeats endlessly. Here’s an example of how a rock music song ends. By the way, it turns out the song actually has a different ending for “live” concerts. They end it by saying, “Don’t stop.” Without question, sounds terrible . . . no wonder they usually just “fade away” when possible.

Even the really good Disney movies have a “shape” to them. Think of that classic, “Robin Hood.” It definitely has a beautiful “shape” to the way the story is presented (when the conflict happens, etc.).

In the future, I hope to write more about beauty and purpose in the universe in the context of what we’re trying to do at CCW.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Fr George William Rutler Last Updated: October 6, 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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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

Why do we never sing “De Spiritu Sancto” (St. Athenogenes) in our churches? There are a dozen translations in English verse. Where could anyone find a better evening hymn than this, coming right down from the catacombs? Our hymnbooks know nothing of such a treasure as this, and give us pages of poor sentiment in doggerel lines by some tenth-rate modern versifier.

— Rev’d Adrian Fortescue (d. 1923)

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