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Corpus Christi Watershed

“A much greater source of anxiety to Us is the style of action of those who maintain that liturgical worship should shed its sacred character, who foolishly say we should substitute for sacred items & furnishings ordinary common things in daily use.” —Pope Saint Paul VI (14 Oct 1968)

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Views from the Choir Loft

Archives for February 2014

Guest Author · February 28, 2014

Why the Church Is Dying in Latin America

“We need to realize that beauty is essential to any true notion of progress and human development.”

Richard J. Clark · February 28, 2014

RCIA and the Importance of Holy Week Choir Rehearsals

He described a sense awe that overwhelmed him during the liturgy. His conclusion at the time was that he should no longer continue with RCIA. Was this a failure of the RCIA program? No, this was success!

Dr. Peter Kwasniewski · February 27, 2014

Beethoven’s “Missa Solemnis” and the Five Ways of St. Thomas

An imaginative or imaginary (you decide) correlation between the five movements of the greatest proto-Romantic sacred work and the five greatest proofs for the existence of God.

Gwyneth Holston · February 27, 2014

A Visual Chronical of Parish Life: Day 4

“A Sad Inheritance” by Joaquin Sorolla y Bastida

Gwyneth Holston · February 26, 2014

A Visual Chronicle of Parish Life: Day 3

“The Daughters of Charity” by Henriette Browne

Andrew R. Motyka · February 26, 2014

Setting an Example Through Funerals

Funerals can be a good time to demonstrate the possibilities of reverent liturgical music at Mass.

Gwyneth Holston · February 25, 2014

A Visual Chronicle of Parish Life: Day 2

“Choirboys” by Jose Gallegos y Arnosa

Jeff Ostrowski · February 24, 2014

Reform Of The Reform: A Perspective

“How much annoyance among our loyal Catholics could have been avoided if evidence had been provided that various elements had been taken from old sacramentaries and were not arbitrary innovations.” —Bishop of Regensburg (1979)

Gwyneth Holston · February 24, 2014

A Visual Chronicle of Parish Life: Day 1

A week of inspiring images to brighten your day.
Day 1: “The Baptism” by Joaquin Sorolla

Jeff Ostrowski · February 24, 2014

Is the Kyrie part of the Penitential Rite?

Many priests and liturgists omit the “Kyrie eleison” when the rubrics clearly forbid this.

Fr. David Friel · February 23, 2014

St. Therese on Beauty

The Divine Artist of souls is pleased when we do not stop at the exterior.

Veronica Brandt · February 22, 2014

Color by “Neum”ber

A Gregorian chant workbook for kids (there’s one for adults too).

Richard J. Clark · February 21, 2014

When in Crisis: Ideology and Diplomacy

In cases of constant crisis, diplomacy yields far more fruit than ideology. Demanding the ideal will usually get you nothing but a pink slip.

Dr. Peter Kwasniewski · February 20, 2014

Seeking Inspiration in the Renaissance

Just as those who are passionate about sacred music find great inspiration in the Renaissance, so today we can look around at a new rebirth of Catholic tradition and find hope for a renewal of Catholic culture.

Andrew R. Motyka · February 19, 2014

The Young and the Extremely Young

“Despite being baptized Catholic, attending Catholic schools, and attending Mass regularly, he never knew about the Church’s musical heritage until the last few years.”

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Simplest “Agnus Dei” Ever Published
    Our choir is on break during the month of July. I needed a relatively simple “Agnus Dei,” so I composed this setting for organ & voice in honor of Saint René Goupil. It has been called the simplest setting ever composed. I love CARMEN GREGORIANUM (“Gregorian Chant”), especially the ALLELUIAS, INTROITS, and COMMUNION ANTIPHONS. That being said, some have pointed out that certain sections of the Kyriale aren’t as strong as the Graduale or Vesperale. There’s a reason for this—but it would be too complicated to explain at this moment.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Our choir is on break during the month of July. However, on the feasts website, the chants have been posted for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C), which is this coming Sunday: 6 July 2025.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Bugnini’s Statement (6 November 1966)
    With each passing day, more is revealed about how the enemies of the liturgy accomplished their goals. For instance, Hannibal Bugnini deeply resented the way Vatican II said Gregorian Chant “must be given first place in liturgical services.” On 6 November 1966, his cadre wrote a letter attempting to justify the elimination of Gregorian Chant with this brazen statement: “What really gives a Mass its tone is not so much the songs as it is the prayers and readings.” Bugnini’s cadre then attacked the very heart of Gregorian Chant (viz. the Proprium Missae), bemoaning how the Proprium Missae “is completely new each Sunday and feast day.” There is much more to be said about this topic. Stay tuned.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Pope Pius XII Hymnal?
    Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Hybrid” Chant Notation?
    Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Antiphons Don’t Match?
    A reader wants to know why the Entrance and Communion antiphons in certain publications deviate from what’s prescribed by the GRADUALE ROMANUM published after Vatican II. Click here to read our answer. The short answer is: the Adalbert Propers were never intended to be sung. They were intended for private Masses only (or Masses without music). The “Graduale Parvum,” published by the John Henry Newman Institute of Liturgical Music in 2023, mostly uses the Adalbert Propers—but sometimes uses the GRADUALE text: e.g. Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (29 June).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

If they protest and want, for example, to retain at least the familiar chants of the ordinary Mass in Latin, they are told that their protest is worthless. They are not “trained.” There is no reason to take account of what they say!

— Father Louis Bouyer (1968)

Recent Posts

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  • Simplest “Agnus Dei” Ever Published
  • Bishop François Charrière Vs. Hannibal Bugnini

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