Views from the Choir Loft

Photographs • Cardinal Lercaro (Consilium President)

Jeff Ostrowski · September 23, 2014

ARDINAL GIACOMO LERCARO (1891-1976) was Archbishop of Bologna and served as President of the Consilium For The Implementation Of The Constitution on the Liturgy. He turned his episcopal palace into an orphanage and was mentioned numerous times in Bugnini’s book. Click here for color images.

10 Giacomo Cardinal Lercaro

9 Giacomo Cardinal Lercaro

8 Giacomo Cardinal Lercaro

7 Giacomo Cardinal Lercaro

6 Giacomo Cardinal Lercaro

5 Giacomo Cardinal Lercaro

6x Giacomo Cardinal Lercaro

5x Giacomo Cardinal Lercaro

4x Giacomo Cardinal Lercaro

3x Giacomo Cardinal Lercaro

2x Giacomo Cardinal Lercaro

1x Giacomo Cardinal Lercaro

CARDINAL LERCARO should not be confused with CARDINAL LARRAONA, the Spanish Cardinal (1887-1973) who served as Prefect of the Sacred Congregation of Rites from 1962 to 1968, and had participated in the preparation of the 1917 Code of Canon Law.

Here’s a letter from Pope Paul VI to Cardinal Lercaro (9 January 1968):

At this time, when with an admirable spirit of service and dedication you relinquish the responsibilities of the presidency of the Consilium, mainly for reasons of health, we wish to express to you again our lively and sincere thanks.

We are conscious of the work you have devoted to directing this institution, which originated from the concern and work of the conciliar Fathers. We know how much effort you have put into establishing a method of work and strengthening the activity of the Consilium.

The Lord Jesus, the eternal High Priest, will not leave unrewarded the rich crown of merits you have acquired by a faithful service that has taken so much of your energies. This is what we ask of him for the sake of your continued well-being and happiness.

As a testimony of our constant good will, we gladly bestow our special apostolic blessing on you and with affection extend it to the entire beloved Archdiocese of Bologna.

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

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).

“Offertory” at Catholic Funerals

I have argued that the OFFERTORY—at least in its ancient form—is more of a responsory than an antiphon. The 1962 Missal specifically calls it “Antiphona ad Offertorium.” From now on, I plan to use this beautiful setting (PDF) at funerals, since it cleverly inserts themes from the absolution of the body. Tons more research needs to be done on the OFFERTORY, which often is a ‘patchwork’ stitching together various beginnings and endings of biblical verses. For instance, if you examine the ancient verses for Dómine, vivífica me (30th Sunday in Ordinary Time) you’ll discover this being done in a most perplexing way. Rebecca Maloy published a very expensive book on the OFFERTORY, but it was a disappointment. Indeed, I can’t think of a single valuable insight contained in her book. What a missed opportunity!

—Jeff Ostrowski

“In Paradisum” • Gregorian Chant

As a RECESSIONAL on All Souls’ Day (November 2nd), we will sing In Paradísum Dedúcant Te Ángeli (PDF). When it comes to Gregorian Chant, this is one of the most popular “songs.” Frankly, all the prayers and chants from the traditional REQUIEM MASS (Missa exsequialis or Missa pro defunctis) are incredibly powerful and never should’ve been scuttled. Click here to hear “In Paradisum” in a recording I made this afternoon. Professor Louis Bouyer spoke of the way Bugnini “scuttled the office of the dead” in this fascinating excerpt from his memoirs. In his book, La riforma litugica (1983), Bugnini bragged—in quite a shameful way—about eliminating the ancient funeral texts, and even admitted those venerable texts were “beloved” (his word) by Catholics.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Music List” • All Souls (2 November)

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 2 November 2025, which is the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (“All Souls”). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the top-notch feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin. In my humble opinion, it’s weird to have the feast of All Saints on a Sunday. No wonder the close associate of Pope Saint Paul VI said the revised KALENDAR was “the handiwork of a trio of maniacs.” However, I can’t deny that sometimes the sacred liturgy consists of elements that are seemingly contradictory: e.g. the Mode 7 “De Profúndis” ALLELUIA, or the Mode 8 “Dulce lignum” ALLELUIA on the various ancient feasts of the Holy Cross (3 May, 14 September, and so on).

—Jeff Ostrowski

Gospel Options for 2 November (“All Souls”)

We’ve been told some bishops are suppressing the TLM because of “unity.” But is unity truly found in the MISSALE RECENS? For instance, on All Souls (2 November), any of these Gospel readings may be chosen, for any reason (or for no reason at all). The same is true of the Propria Missæ and other readings—there are countless options in the ORDINARY FORM. In other words, no matter which OF parish you attend on 2 November, you’ll almost certainly hear different propers and readings, to say nothing of different ‘styles’ of music. Where is the “unity” in all this? Indeed, the Second Vatican Council solemnly declared: “Even in the liturgy, the Church has no wish to impose a rigid uniformity in matters which do not implicate the faith or the good of the whole community.”

—Corpus Christi Watershed

“Our Father” • Musical Setting?

Looking through a Roman Catholic Hymnal published in 1859 by Father Guido Maria Dreves (d. 1909), I stumbled upon this very beautiful tune (PDF file). I feel it would be absolutely perfect to set the “Our Father” in German to music. Thoughts?

—Jeff Ostrowski

New Bulletin Article • “12 October 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 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.

—Jeff Ostrowski