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“What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too…” Pope Benedict XVI (7 July 2007)

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Views from the Choir Loft

Shall The Nuns Save Us? I Think So.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 25, 2014

455 MONEY HRIST IS OFTEN shown as a loving and compassionate Good Shepherd, but seldom with a whip in hand, expelling those who would defile the Temple. It’s interesting that Christ used violence when it came to defending God’s Liturgy against profanation.

Traveling with my family this Memorial Day weekend, we attended a Catholic Church where the Communion Song was I am proud to be an American, accompanied by full band: drums, guitars, and so forth. As the soloist was singing — “From Detroit down to Houston, and New York to L.A., I thank my lucky stars…” — I couldn’t help but reflect upon the unbelievable damage that has been done to the Liturgy over the years.

My eyes caught a glimpse of five young Korean nuns, in full habit (distinctive garb), kneeling perfectly still (respect for the Eucharist), with perfectly folded hands (traditional posture), praying with great fervor (piety). I was greatly inspired by such a sight.

Someone once told me that St. Dominic, before starting his religious order, founded a convent of nuns. St. Dominic felt that nuns praying for the success of his endeavors was a crucial element.

IN MY HEART, I FEEL that somehow or other the young consecrated sisters will play a pivotal role in the restoration of Sacred Liturgy. I have no “evidence” to support my claim, but it’s a free country, so I can believe what I like.

Finally, let us not become discouraged. Consider the words of a truly great liturgist, written in 1992:

Nostra res agitur! It behooves us to work while the light lasts, so that the Ecclesia orans will not have to cross the threshold of the third millenium with empty hands and ears ringing to the faint echoes of the ancient laughter of Gelimer, King of the Vandals. Let us therefore continue to do the best things in the worst times, and to hope them in the most calamitous. In mundo pressuram habebitis, sed confidite, ego vici mundum. In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer: I have overcome the world (John 16:33).   (Source)

In a humble effort to “do the best things in the worst times,” a team of Catholics created the Jogues Illuminated Missal. Perhaps God will allow this book to be like those young nuns, who represent — nay, embody! — the true “renewal” of the Church!

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

14 May 2022 • “Pure” Vatican Edition

As readers know, my choir has been singing from the “pure” Editio Vaticana. That is to say, the official rhythm which—technically—is the only rhythm allowed by the Church. I haven’t figured out how I want the scores to look, so in the meantime we’ve been using temporary scores that look like this. Stay tuned!

—Jeff Ostrowski
14 May 2022 • Gorgeous Book

If there is a more beautiful book than Abbat Pothier’s 1888 Processionale Monasticum, I don’t know what it might be. This gorgeous tome was today added to the Saint John Lalande Online Library. I wish I owned a physical copy.

—Jeff Ostrowski
Sound Familiar?

1 June 1579: “The chapter passes a rule that anyone ascending to the new organ without official permission shall be fined a month’s pay.”

26 October 1579: “The altar boys remain always separate and distinct from choirboys—the one group learning only plainchant and assisting at the altar, the other living with the chapel-master and studying counterpoint and polyphony as well. Father Francisco Guerrero postpones his departure for Rome and instead spends the entire year in Seville making ready for the trip. In the meantime he neglects his choirboys. On 16 November, after considerable complaint against their unruliness and ignorance, he engages an assistant, Bartolomé Farfán.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

Legitimate and necessary concern for current realities in the concrete lives of people cannot make us forget the true nature of the liturgical actions. It is clear that the Mass is not the time to “celebrate” human dignity or purely terrestrial claims or hopes. It is rather the sacrifice which renders Christ really present in the sacrament.

— Pope Saint John Paul II (20 March 1990)

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