Views from the Choir Loft

Interesting Catholic Websites

Corpus Christi Watershed · October 17, 2013

O YOU KNOW any interesting Catholic websites? Please feel free to use the “Contact Us” link at the top of the page, sending us an email so we can share your link below. Make sure to include a short explanatory paragraph.

Please Note: Corpus Christi Watershed does not necessarily endorse the content of the following websites. We apologize, but we’re not able to link to every website sent to us.

Orbis Catholicus Secundus • A beautiful website maintained by John Sonnen, a former parishioner of St. Agnes, where Msgr. Richard J. Schuler used to be pastor +

Catholic Education Resource Center • This website reprints (with permission) some of the very best Catholic articles. Like Watershed, they seek “truth, goodness, and beauty.” Their advisors include James Hitchcock, Karl Keating, Peter Kreeft, Janet Smith, Wesley J. Smith, Alice von Hildebrand, and more +

Truth and Charity • A new website, started in 2012. Authors include Fr. Scott Hastings, Andrew Sciba, Tim Shaughnessy, Mary Walker, and more +

Antiphon Journal • Sponsored by the Society for Catholic Liturgy, their board includes Carmina Magnusen Chapp, Jane Errera, Jennifer Donelson, Denis McNamara, and more. The current editor is Fr. Uwe Michael Lang. +

Newman Connection • This non-profit organization helps Catholic college students keep their faith. Their board includes Mr. William Zerrusen, Msgr. Gregory Ketcham, Fr. Anthony Stephens, and more +

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

PDF • “Music List” (Sunday, 28 December)

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, & Joseph (28 Dec. 2025). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The FAUXBOURDON verses for the Communion Antiphon are particularly gorgeous. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are available at the feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF • “Music List” (Xmas Midnight Mass)

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for Christmas Midnight Mass (“Ad Missam In Nocte”). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The ENTRANCE CHANT is simple, but quite beautiful. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are available at the feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF • “Music List” (4th Sunday of Advent)

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 21 December 2025, which is the 4th Sunday of Advent (Year A). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The ENTRANCE CHANT is the famous “Roráte Coeli” and the fauxbourdon setting of the COMMUNION is exquisite. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are available at the feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.

—Jeff Ostrowski

What does this mean? “Pre-Urbanite”

One of the things informed critics have frequently praised vis-à-vis the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal has to do with its careful treatment of the ancient hymns vs. the “Urbanite” hymns. This topic I had believed to be fairly well understood—but I was wrong. The reason I thought people knew about it is simple; in the EDITIO VATICANA 1908 Graduale Romanum (as well as the 1913 Liber Antiphonarius) both versions are provided, right next to each other. You can see what I mean by examining this PDF file from the Roman Gradual of 1908. Most people still don’t understand that the Urbanite versions were never adopted by any priests or monks who sang the Divine Office each day. Switching would have required a massive amount of effort and money, because all the books would need to be changed.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • “Santo Santo Santo”

Those searching for a dignified, brief, simple, bright setting of SANCTUS in Spanish (“Santo Santo Santo”) are invited to download this Setting in honor of Saint John Brébeuf (organist & vocalist). I wonder if there would be any interest in me recording a rehearsal video for this piece.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Pope Leo XIV on Sacred Music

On 5 December 2025, Pope Leo XIV made this declaration with regard to liturgical music.

—Corpus Christi Watershed