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

Corpus Christi Watershed

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.”

  • Donate
  • Our Team
    • Our Editorial Policy
    • Who We Are
    • How To Contact Us
    • Sainte Marie Bulletin Articles
    • Jeff’s Mom Joins Fundraiser
  • Pew Resources
    • Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal
    • Jogues Illuminated Missal
    • Repository • “Spanish Music”
    • KYRIALE • Saint Antoine Daniel
    • Campion Missal, 3rd Edition
  • MUSICAL WEBSITES
    • René Goupil Gregorian Chant
    • Noël Chabanel Psalms
    • Nova Organi Harmonia (2,279 pages)
    • Roman Missal, 3rd Edition
    • Catechism of Gregorian Rhythm
    • Father Enemond Massé Manuscripts
    • Lalemant Polyphonic
    • Feasts Website
  • Miscellaneous
    • Site Map
    • Secrets of the Conscientious Choirmaster
    • “Wedding March” for lazy organists
    • Emporium Kevin Allen
    • Saint Jean de Lalande Library
    • Sacred Music Symposium 2023
    • The Eight Gregorian Modes
    • Gradual by Pothier’s Protégé
    • Seven (7) Considerations
Views from the Choir Loft

“Look Beyond The Bread You Eat” (Part 2)

Jeff Ostrowski · November 18, 2013

IFE AS A PARENT is a constant struggle. The children have endless energy … and you have none. It’s hard to find even a few minutes which can be spent peacefully listening to music. However, a few days ago I listened to part of a Mass by Cristóbal de Morales (sung by Chanticleer). It was so incredibly beautiful. More on this below.

I mentioned in Part 1 that certain things seem obvious to me, yet others have a totally different view. Let me give just one more example:

Years ago, upon being criticized for a lack of variety of Communion selections, I admitted to my priest-employer that I was struggling to find decent Communion hymns. His response was, “Well, obviously you don’t have a clue. Come over here, and in five seconds I can do a better job than you could dream of doing.” His rude manner of speaking did not bother me, because he spoke to everybody that same way. For the record, I ended up quitting a few months later, because this same priest began to weep — literally sob! — when I refused to allow a local jazz combo to play for the Holy Saturday Vigil.

Anyhow, this priest looked through our OCP hymn book, searching for what he called “reverent, orthodox hymns.” He searched and searched. Finally, he pointed to a song called, “Look beyond the bread you eat.” I was flabbergasted. It dawned on me that nothing I’d been saying to him had made the slightest impact. All these months, I had literally been wasting my breath. It was a revelation. Sometimes people are on a completely different wavelength.

Getting back to the Morales I mentioned earlier, his settings of the Mass — Credo, Sanctus, etc. — were so gorgeous … but why? I believe one reason was to transport us to a different world.

Have you ever wondered what it must have been like when the galaxy was created? Were you present when God created the birds? Were you there when grass and oceans were being created? What was it like to see whales and deer and rainbows and clouds come into existence? I don’t know … I wasn’t there. But this Morales music is transcendent, and (in my view) opens the mind to contemplate life in a different way. All of a sudden, humans (upon hearing such music) are invited to contemplate things Divine, whereas too many of us tend to waste our time and thoughts. Morales pulls us out of “reality” into a higher reality. How remarkable that someone back then could write such sophisticated and beautiful music, when modern culture insists that people today are so much smarter than former ages, and we no longer require “myths” like the God of the Bible. By the way, which of us routinely contemplates death? Modern culture wants us to think about anything BUT death. To make a long short, how different is the liturgical music of Morales from a song like Look Beyond The Bread You Eat !!

I DON’T WANT TO SHOCK anybody, but the Catholic Church has millions and millions of dollars. (This is still true, although it’s hard to believe when we hear about horrible scandals, like Roger Cardinal Mahoney paying close to a billion dollars from church funds because he covered up sexual abuse of minors.) So, why is our Catholic liturgical music so terrible in 99% of parishes? I’m starting to think it has to do with what I said earlier: we’re talking past one another. We’re not on the same page.

Therefore, I’ve decided to work on a set of “proposals” for Church musicians. These are basic, fundamental facts that both Pastor and Musician must understand. I’ve wanted to do this for years. I hope you’ll give your input, as time goes on, and we can together formulate a clear, guaranteed “formula for success.”

This article is part of a series:

Part 1   •   Part 2

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Contract Between Priest And Musician 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 Michigan. —(Read full biography).

Primary Sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    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
    “Music List” • 14 September (Holy Cross)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I prepared for 14 September 2025, which is the Feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross. 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 spectacular feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    New Bulletin Article • “14 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 14 September 2025) discusses OFFERTORY ANTIPHONS and contains a wonderful quote by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.
    —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

“I prefer to say nothing, or very little, about the new calendar, the handiwork of a trio of maniacs who suppressed—with no good reason—Septuagesima and the Octave of Pentecost and who scattered three quarters of the Saints higgledy-piddledy, all based on notions of their own devising!”

— ‘Fr. Bouyer, Consilium member appointed by Pope Paul VI’

Recent Posts

  • Children’s Repertoire: “3 Recommendations”
  • PDF Download • Dom Murray Harmonies
  • “Music List” • 14 September (Holy Cross)
  • Do You Recognize This Hymn? Do You Like It?
  • Charlie Kirk’s Fascination with Traditional Catholic Liturgy

Subscribe

Subscribe

* indicates required

Copyright © 2025 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.