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Views from the Choir Loft

Proclaim the Passion in a “Theatrical” Manner?

Jeff Ostrowski · April 18, 2014

662 Archbishop Sample E HAVE TALKED a lot about the sad state of liturgy these days, and often cited absurd statements by liturgy “experts.” We’ve also mentioned a contradiction which has never been explained: an attempt on the one hand to restore liturgy to a “pristine” state of the 5th century, while on the other hand changing liturgy to attract “modern man.”

But what exactly is LITURGY anyway?

The easiest way I can explain is to consider reading the Passion. Have you ever heard pious Catholics (who have all the best intentions) pray the Passion like this?

      * *  Incorrect Way To Pray The Passion

But why is that wrong? After all, picco logic says that the Passion is a “narrative” and ought to be read dramatically.

True liturgy — authentic liturgy — is prayer. It is proclaiming to the universe, in a new time and space, the wondrous deeds of Jesus Christ, in the same manner the saints did. The Gospel is not read at Mass because we’ve never heard it before. Consider the 1962 Missal Gospel Reading for January 1st, which is but a single sentence! The public proclamation of scripture is an act of worship: it is not purely didactic, nor is it a make-believe drama that we must re-enact with emotion.

The video below shows us the proper “tone” for liturgy. It must be serious, joyful, sorrowful, glorious, simple, authentic, and proclaimed with beauty and humility.


By the way, “humility” doesn’t mean what the unqualified secular journalists think it means: humility is truth. Again: Humility is truth! A Franciscan priest first told me that in 1998, and he was absolutely correct … but I had to think about it for a while to understand.

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Reform of the Reform Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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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 Los Angeles.—(Read full biography).

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Quick Thoughts

    PDF • “For the Season of Pentecost”
    During the season of Pentecost, you might consider using this 2-page Piece “for the season of Pentecost.” Rehearsal videos are available at #40691, but the lyrics are different. Therefore, make sure your choir members understand that one can rehearse songs that have different lyrics (“CONTRAFACT”).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Introit • (This Coming Sunday)
    Our volunteer choir appreciates training videos, so here's my attempt at recording “Exáudi Dómine Vocem Meam,” which is the INTROIT for this coming Sunday. This coming Sunday is Dominica Post Ascensionem (“Sunday after the feast of the Ascension”). It is sung according to the official rhythm of the Catholic Church.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Volunteer Choir Attempts “Kýrie Eléison”
    My volunteer choir attempted the polyphonic KYRIE that will be sung at this year's Sacred Music Symposium. If you're interested, you can listen to the live recording from last Sunday. The piece is based on the ancient plainchant hymn melody: Ave Maris Stella. Polyphony like this is truly intricate and wonderful. It reminds me of the quote by Artur Schnabel: “music that's greater than it can be performed.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

But the revisers did not leave them altogether untouched. Saint Ambrose had to be “corrected.” The Iste confessor was greatly altered and the hymn for the Dedication of a Church, which no one ought to have touched, was in fact completely recast in a new meter.

— Father Joseph Connelly

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