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Views from the Choir Loft

How I Learned What Liturgy Really Is

Jeff Ostrowski · May 11, 2014

522 Liturgy EARS AGO, as a boy, I was part of an FSSP parish. In those days, their American seminary hadn’t been built, so priests from all over — France, Switzerland, Boston, New Zealand — passed through our parish, which was located in the center of the United States. I served Mass for these priests and created a little notebook filled with their Latin pronunciation “mistakes.”   1

One day, four priests were staying there, and someone suggested they pray their office together. All agreed. Bear in mind, these men came from four different countries: Germany, Australia, France, and Texas.

They entered the Church, pulled out their books, and prayed the Divine Office. The priest from Germany had a nicer voice, and seemed to be given the more demanding sections. I hadn’t even realized the priest from Texas could sing, but he did just fine. 2 It was truly inspiring.

This, my friends, is the meaning of liturgy.

There was no sense of “performance.” There was no unhealthy feeling of “entertainment.” There was no attempt by these priests to “outdo” one another, or impress anyone by belting out a solo. They didn’t applaud at the conclusion of each psalm or hymn. 3

LITURGY, therefore, can be defined as “people who love Jesus Christ coming together and praying the ancient texts assigned by the Church.”

I DON’T REMEMBER ANY OF THEM suggesting that popular tunes be substituted for the ancient chants, or that “upbeat” instruments be used (to make the liturgy more interesting, relevant, or engaging). Nor do I recall any of the priests recommending that the ancient prayers be “adapted” for the sake of “proper inculturation,” in spite of the fact that each came from a different country.

Again, they simply walked into Church, opened their books, and sang the prayers assigned by the Church. And it was beautiful. And they each received grace. And I did, too.

EVEN THOUGH I WAS ONLY A YOUNGSTER, I was greatly moved. The Gregorian prayers were such a perfect vehicle of unity. At least, to me they were. Perhaps I’m not as sophisticated as professional liturgists, who eliminated Gregorian chant in the 1960s. Perhaps if I were smarter, I’d realize that Gregorian chant is a “weapon” (as an SttL drafter referred to it several times in 2010).

After the Council, significant liturgical disintegration set in, often because of changes too quickly introduced. For years, it was not possible to simply “walk into Church and pray the assigned prayers” because the proper books were not available.

Now — at last ! — after five decades, we are witnessing an unbelievable flood of resources which allow us to reclaim our Roman Rite. I’m particularly excited about the Jogues Illuminated Missal, which will begin shipping this week. This book allows every man, woman, and child in our pews to come to know & love the liturgy in an exciting new way!



NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1   Years later, I’d come to understand these weren’t true “mistakes,” but merely a reflection of each priest’s nationality.

2   Some sections were done recto tono.

3   Congregations in South Texas normally applaud for the singers during Mass. Today being Mother’s Day, the Communion Meditation at a local parish was Mary, Did You Know? (sung during Holy Communion) and everyone applauded at its conclusion.

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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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

Random Quote

There is a lack of that kind of organization which favors mature judgment. Move on, move on, get it out. Schemata are multiplied without ever arriving at a considered form. The system of discussion is bad … Often the schemata arrive just before the discussions. Sometimes, and in important matters, such as the new anaphoras, the schema was distributed the evening before the discussion was to take place … Father Bugnini has only one interest: press ahead and finish.

— Cardinal Antonelli (Peritus during the Second Vatican Council)

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