• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

“If we do not love those whom we see, how can we love God, Whom we do not see?” Bishop Fulton J. Sheen

  • Our Team
    • Views from the Choir Loft • “Our Team”
    • Our Editorial Policy
  • Pew Resources
    • Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal
    • Jogues Illuminated Missal
    • Saint Antoine Daniel KYRIALE
    • Campion Missal, 3rd Edition
  • MUSICAL WEBSITES
    • René Goupil Gregorian Chant
    • Noël Chabanel Psalms
    • Nova Organi Harmonia (2,279 pages)
    • Roman Missal, 3rd Edition
    • Father Enemond Massé Manuscripts
    • Lalemant Polyphonic
    • Guillaume Couture Gregorian Chant
  • Miscellaneous
    • Site Map
    • Emporium Kevin Allen
    • Saint Jean de Lalande Library
    • Sacred Music Symposium 2023
    • Gradual by Pothier’s Protégé
    • Mass in Honor of Saint Noël Chabanel
  • Donate
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

Subscribe

It greatly helps us if you subscribe to our mailing list!

* indicates required

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).

Primary Sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

    Requesting Our Advent Eucharistic Hymn
    A young lady named Agnes wrote to us: “Dear Mr. Ostrowski, do you have the PDF score for Ave Corpus Domini set to the ADVENT melody? Last year, we sang the hymn tune “Nun Komm der Heiden Heiland” quite a bit using your contrafactum technique. My choir appreciates the Latin hymns and practice videos, especially in the ADVENT and CHRISTMAS seasons. Your recent article on Gregorian Psalm Tones is a great help to my organist brother, and reminds us of attending VESPERS years ago when we lived in California. Thank you so much for all the effort put into providing these wonderful resources!”   Agnes, if you are listening! Yes, the PDF file you desire can be downloaded for free at the Brébeuf Portal via this URL link. Thanks for writing to us!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Message from the Vice-President!
    The Vice-President of the Church Music Association of America, Dr. Horst Buchholz (who also serves as Director of Sacred Music for the Archdiocese of Detroit) sent us an email yesterday regarding the harmonizations (PDF) I composed for the Gregorian Chant psalm tones. Dr. Buchholz says: “Those settings are absolutely exquisite, as I'm used to when it comes from you. Bravo! Well done! Now, as a sequel, if you could write something for accompanying psalms in English that would be awesome.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Seven (7) Hymn Verses for November!
    In the month of November, we remember in a special way the souls in purgatory. The BRÉBEUF HYMNAL often includes text alone versions for its hymns; why is that? The short answer is: flexibility. The “text only” version allows each choirmaster to employ a myriad of melodies. For example, I recently set the English translation of “De Profúndis” with the DAVOST MELODY (PDF). We are singing this before November ends. Indeed, you can hear our volunteer singing this (in real life) if you click here.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“Worse, composers are now setting the introits of the missal [instead of the Graduale] to music, even to chant, though these texts were explicitly for spoken recitation only.”

— ‘Dr. William Mahrt (Fall, 2015)’

Recent Posts

  • 1963 Photograph • Original Lyrics for Fr. Hellriegel’s “To Jesus Christ Our Sovereign King”
  • My Response to Dr. Weaver’s Latest Article
  • Stumped by Psalms? Try This
  • Requesting Our Advent Eucharistic Hymn
  • Message from the Vice-President!

Subscribe

Subscribe

* indicates required

Copyright © 2023 Corpus Christi Watershed · Isaac Jogues on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Corpus Christi Watershed is a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to exploring and embodying as our calling the relationship of religion, culture, and the arts. This non-profit organization employs the creative media in service of theology, the Church, and Christian culture for the enrichment and enjoyment of the public.