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.

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