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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

A Word On The Pope’s Interview …

Jeff Ostrowski · October 2, 2013

During the course of one of his interviews, Pope Francis said:

HEN THERE ARE particular issues, like the liturgy according to the Vetus Ordo. I think the decision of Pope Benedict was prudent and motivated by the desire to help people who have this sensitivity. What is worrying, though, is the risk of the ideologization of the Vetus Ordo, its exploitation.

Some have admitted to being confused by the word “exploitation,” which is understandable when we consider the important role played by the Vetus Ordo in the spiritual lives of so many great saints. I have my own ideas about what Pope Francis meant in the paragraph. (He was speaking “off the cuff,” by the way.) However, I will not speculate, because I am adamantly opposed to the rampant and unrestrained bloviation by unqualified people that seems to be so much in vogue these days. I don’t wish to add to such irresponsible bloviation.

Speaking of “exploitation,” here’s a quote by Fr. Godfrey Diekmann:

E COULD CITE no papal encouragement for the view that liturgy is “the life of the Church,” the normal “school of piety,” apart from St. Pius X’s declaration that “the first and indispensable source of the true Christian spirit is active and intelligent participation in the public worship of the Church” (Motu Proprio on Sacred Music). And how we clung to that statement, cited it times without number, and tried to “exploit” it in terms of its pastoral implications!
—Martin Hellriegel and Godfrey Diekmann, “Perspectives on
American Liturgical Renewal,” Aids in Ministry (AIM), 1979


I don’t want to nitpick, but I do wonder if Diekmann got the translation right. What Pope Pius X actually said was:

ILLED AS WE ARE with a most ardent desire to see the true Christian spirit flourish in every respect and be preserved by all the faithful, We deem it necessary to provide before anything else for the sanctity and dignity of the temple, in which the faithful assemble for no other object than that of acquiring this spirit from its foremost and indispensable font, which is the active participation in the most holy mysteries and in the public and solemn prayer of the Church.   [source]

Diekmann wrote: “the first and indispensable source of the true Christian spirit is active and intelligent participation in the public worship of the Church.” Is that fully correct? For instance, where does he get the word “intelligent”? Perhaps someone can look at the original language of the Motu Proprio and clue me in … By the way, look at this 1937 advertisement for Orate Fratres.

AN OLD MAXIM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH says: Lex orandi, lex credendi, which means “The law of prayer is the law of belief.” Another way to think of this would be, “We pray as we believe,” or even, “We believe as we pray.”

Fr. Godfrey Diekmann was highly influential in the reforms following the Second Vatican Council. In particular, he was a major supporter of the “Hootenanny Mass.” Fr. Diekmann held many beliefs contrary to Catholic teaching. For example, he was a supporter of women’s ordination to the priesthood. Bearing in mind Lex orandi, lex credendi, what effects did these beliefs of his have on the liturgical reforms? It’s an interesting and important question.

By the way, I have to admit being disturbed after reading this story, wherein Fr. Diekmann is unable to hide his true feelings toward Pope John Paul II. I suppose it’s not all that surprising, since Pope John Paul II was firm in stating that women cannot be ordained as Catholic priests.

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Father Godfrey Diekmann, Godfrey Diekmann Heretic Last Updated: June 3, 2024

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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

    Liturgical Round (“Canon”) in C-Major
    Those who direct children’s choirs are always on the lookout for repertoire that’s dignified, inspired, and pleasing—yet still within reach of young choristers. Such directors will want to investigate this haunting liturgical round (PDF download) which has been married to the KYRIE from Mass VI (EDITIO VATICANA). I have provided an accompaniment, but it’s only for use during rehearsal; i.e. when teaching this round to your choristers. I also provided an organ accompaniment for the KYRIE—which some know by its trope (Kyrie Rex Genitor)—so that your congregation can take part when this round is used as a choral extension during Mass.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Latin Liturgy Association
    We note with pleasure that Mrs. Regina Morris, president of the Latin Liturgy Association, has featured—on page 4 of Volume CXXIX of their official newsletter—the three (3) terrific versions of the Stations of the Cross found in the Brébeuf Hymnal. One of the main authors for the blog of the Church Music Association of America said (6/10/2019) about this pew book: “It is such a fantastic hymnal that it deserves to be in the pews of every Catholic church.”
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Music List” • 28th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 12 October 2025, which is the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the dazzling feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    New Bulletin Article • “12 October 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 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
    The American Catholic Hymnal, with IMPRIMATUR granted (25 April 1991) by the Archdiocese of Chicago, is like a compendium of every horrible idea from the 1980s. Imagine being forced to stand all through Communion (even afterwards) when those self-same ‘enlightened’ liturgists moved the SEQUENCE before the Alleluia to make sure congregations wouldn’t have to stand during it. (Even worse, everything about the SEQUENCE—including its name—means it should follow the Alleluia.) And imagine endlessly repeating “Alleluia” during Holy Communion at every single Mass. It was all part of an effort to convince people that Holy Communion was historically a procession (which it wasn’t).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Fifty years ago, Dr. Theodore Marier made available this clever arrangement (PDF) of “Come down, O love divine” by P. R. Dietterich. The melody was composed in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (d. 1958) and named in honor of of his birthplace: DOWN AMPNEY. The arrangement isn’t a strict canon, but it does remind one of a canon since the pipe organ employs “points of imitation.” The melody and text are #709 in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

The “jolly good guy” kind of pastor can be an irritant. […] Ministers of the Gospel are not used car salesmen whose heartiness is a mile wide and an inch deep. A bemused layman told me that a bishop joked with him, but turned away like a startled deer when asked an important question…

— Fr. George Rutler (7 August 2017)

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