Views from the Choir Loft

CALLING ALL PRIESTS! —Your Parishioners Are Waiting… They’re Waiting For…

Jeff Ostrowski · August 14, 2014

ARDINAL ANTONELLI was the first Secretary of the Concilium, which reformed the Roman Rite in the 1960s. He is an impartial and extremely well-informed witness of these liturgical reforms. Here’s what he wrote on 24 July 1968:

“Until the Council, liturgical law was regarded as something sacred; but for many, it no longer exists. Everyone now feels authorized to do what he likes, and many of the young do just that.” (source)

He later added: “In the liturgy, every word and every gesture expresses an idea which is always a theological idea.”

A new publication for Ordinary Form parishes is available, and Cardinal Antonelli would have loved it, because it emphasizes (through beautiful images, typesetting, & explanations) that “every word and every gesture of the liturgy expresses a theological idea.”

BUT HOW CAN A PARISH buy these books? Even though it’s sold for an incredibly low price, the fact remains that parishes often don’t have extra money. Good news! The people in the parish are waiting to help you! Listen to what one parish priest said:

ONE SUNDAY MORNING, I put a sample copy of the Missal in the narthex for the people to view, and kept it out there for a couple of Sundays. I was amazed at the response. “It’s beautiful!” — “It’s just what we need in the pews!” — “Can I contribute towards the cost?” And so, I launched out into the deep and asked for donations. Within 72 hours we had not only covered the cost, but also had more donations than we could possibly use for that project.

[N.B. He was talking the Campion Missal (Extraordinary Form), but the Jogues Missal does the same thing for the Ordinary Form.]

To grab the attention of your parishioners, why not get a gigantic poster like this one? Use the “Contact Us” on the upper right for more information. The best part: You can enlarge the picture of your choosing!

About Jeff Ostrowski

A theorist, organist, and conductor, Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004), and did graduate work in Musicology. He serves as choirmaster for the new FSSP parish in Los Angeles, where he resides with his wife and children.

“Daily I sat in the temple, close to you…”

Fulton J. Sheen always said the “very best translation” of Sacred Scripture was the version by Monsignor Ronald Knox, and here’s what Knox had for the Passion read today (Pre-1955 Palm Sunday): “And Jesus said to the multitude at that hour, You have come out to my arrest with swords and clubs, as if I were a robber; and yet I used to sit teaching in the temple close to you, day after day, and you never laid hands on me.” (Mt 26:55)

Did you catch that? Our Lord sat close to them! He was near them! The Second Person of the Blessed Trinity touched them, and was friendly toward them! Truly, the people who can hurt us the most—and betray us the most—are those whom we have loved.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Sacred Music Symposium • “What We Avoid”

I wish we had to time to discuss artwork at the Sacred Music Symposium, but there’s just not enough time. At this year’s conference in June, we will sing an absolutely incredible Magnificat setting by Father Francisco Guerrero (d. 1599). If you examine the part books, you will notice a marvelous aesthetic desire to avoid the same capital letter—for the sake of beauty. Do you see how the Part Books find a way to avoid repeating the Capital G twice, by using the word “Superius” (which is roughly analogous to “Soprano”)? Breathtaking!

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Abraham” • Guerrero Imitates His Teacher

Father Francisco Guerrero (d. 1599) studied music with Father Cristóbal de Morales circa 1545. He taught himself the organ. On 3 April 1542 he was engaged as a contralto by Seville Cathedral at an annual salary of 12,000 maravedís. He remained there until 1546, when, at the age of only 17, he was invited—on the recommendation of Father Morales—to become mæstro de capilla of Jaén Cathedral. He was entrusted with the boarding, lodging, and instruction of the six choirboys; but he neglected this duty and was sentenced to be dismissed on 30 August 1548. However, he was absolved and reinstated on 3 November. I think you can see (perhaps) a little homage to his teacher on the word “Abraham.”

—Jeff Ostrowski