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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.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

Priests Embarrassed To Wear Distinctive Garb

Jeff Ostrowski · July 9, 2014

279 Bishop Gracida HEN ROBERT E. LEE surrendered to Grant, he wore his finest uniform, immaculately clean. Grant wore a muddy private’s uniform, with nothing but a pair of shoulder straps to designate his rank. Some claim Lee’s choice of attire signified how much he valued honor and proper behavior, while Grant’s clothing showed him as a “pragmatic” person.

When I was teaching high school, priests from the diocese would offer Mass for the students: a different one each week. Some were “infamous,” like the SOLT priest who gave a homily lasting 1.5 hours, causing students to miss their classes. (He was never invited back.)

            *             *             *

When Bishop René H. Gracida offered Mass at our school, two things happened which I’ll never forget.

IRST, a whole bunch of priests from the diocese showed up (which was rare), and they all wore the Roman Collar.   Several came wearing a cassock! One priest in particular shocked me. He showed up wearing a lovely black soutane. I had no idea this priest even owned a cassock, because he normally dressed in a Hawaiian shirt. But for some reason, he didn’t wear a Hawaiian shirt for Bishop Gracida.

ECOND, Bishop Gracida arrived early and did something no other priest had ever done. He stood right in front of the sacristy Crucifix and prayed—very devoutly—for a significant period of time. The priests were astonished and didn’t know what to do! I could see the look in their eyes: “Bishop Gracida is … praying!” Some of them began to pray, too, while others were more quiet than normal.

I doubt Bishop Gracida remembers that Mass, because he followed his normal routine. But I’ll never forget that day, because I saw what it means to be a true leader.

LADIES DO NOT REQUIRE an explanation as to why priests wear distinctive garb. Have you noticed that women always pay attention to what they wear and how they look? They place a value upon one’s attire, just like Robert E. Lee did.

We had a Franciscan pastor during the 1990s named Fr. Valentine Young. He always wore his brown Franciscan robe, except one time, when he came to visit our house. That time, he wore a black clerical suit. I was shocked! I didn’t realize Franciscans were allowed to wear “clerics.” But it turns out Fr. Valentine does not wear his Franciscan robes when he travels long distances by car, because the robes make it difficult for him to drive safely. On those occasions, he wears the Roman Collar.

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Roman Collar Distinctive Garb 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 Michigan. —(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    New Bulletin Article • “21 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 21 September 2025) discusses some theological items—supported by certain verses in ancient Catholic hymns—and ends by explaining why certain folks become delirious with jealousy when they observe feats by Monsignor Ronald Knox.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Cheap! Cheap! Cheap!
    It’s always amusing to see old diocesan newspapers—in huge capital letters—advertising the Cheapest Catholic Paper in the United States. The correspondent who sent this to me added: “I can think of certain composers, published by large companies in our own day, who could truthfully brag about the most tawdry compositions in the world!” I wonder what she could have meant by such a cryptic comment…
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    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

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

The frequent elisions, as in the verse “Hoc óstium arcae in látere est Genti ad salútem pósitum” (feast of the Sacred Heart) make for an unpronounceable and unsingable hymn, and slightly less so does the hymn for Christ the King.

— Archbishop Hannibal Bugnini

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  • PDF Download • Dom Murray Harmonies

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