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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

The Extraordinary Form Is Centered On Christ

Jeff Ostrowski · September 25, 2013

382 Extraordinary Form Braque Family Triptych, c. 1450 (Weyden) EOPLE IN FAVOR of legalized abortion often justify it by citing cases of rape and incest. This seems to be their “weapon of choice,” and they put faith in it. Progressives in favor of “updating” Catholic dogma often treat the Extraordinary Form as their “weapon of choice.” They continually denigrate it and feel that doing so helps their case.

Those who oppose abortion point out that very few of the 50 million abortions since Roe v. Wade were related to “rape and incest,” but this is the weaker argument.

Similarly, those in favor of traditional Church morality point out that the “obsession” with the Extraordinary Form by its critics is disproportionate (since not many Catholics currently attend the EF), but this, too, is the weaker argument.

The best way to counter the “rape and incest” argument is to remind folks that no matter how conception occurred, murdering an innocent child never helps. It only makes things worse. Likewise, the best way to counter assaults on the Extraordinary Form is to address them directly.

THE STANDARD ARGUMENT against the Extraordinary Form goes something like this:

The Extraordinary Form uses too much ceremonial, too many medieval gestures, and a dead language nobody understands. These things may be beautiful, but what is needed today is a mode of worship that speaks to “modern man.” The EF is all about Renaissance clothing and obsession with rubrics.

Quite simply, people who make such assertions don’t have a clue what the Extraordinary Form is all about.

The Extraordinary Form is totally centered on our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. The prayers, propers, and readings are completely centered on our personal relationship with Christ. When the EF is offered by a priest who does everything correctly (and with seriousness), attending the traditional Latin Mass is like being transported back 2,000 years to Nazareth, encountering Christ directly.

The EF is, quite simply, a personal encounter with our Lord. Anybody who denigrates the EF is attacking Christ directly. They’re free to do so, since the USA is a free country, but they need to be honest about what they’re doing.

CAN I TELL YOU a secret? I’m glad opponents of the EF can’t stop talking about it. I’m glad they are obsessed. Years ago (c. 1990) very few people knew about the EF, and those who did were looked upon as loons.


Please note:  I sincerely hope nobody will interpret my very strong support for the EF as an “attack” on the OF. However, this is the internet, so anything can happen … and often does.

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Extraordinary Form 1962 Missal 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

“No living writer possesses a greater command over the English language than Msgr. Knox, but in this instance one cannot help feeling that he has allowed his virtuosity to get the better of him, and, in his anxiety to shield the holy of holies from vulgar intrusion, produced a text that would either pass over the listener’s head as completely as the original Latin, or else leave him groping so long after the meaning that he would be quite unable to keep pace with the officiating priest.”

— Dr. Herbert Patrick Reginald Finberg (University of Leicester)

Recent Posts

  • New Bulletin Article • “21 September 2025”
  • How do you pronounce this word in Latin?
  • Cheap! Cheap! Cheap!
  • Children’s Repertoire: “3 Recommendations”
  • PDF Download • Dom Murray Harmonies

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