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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

Jacqueline Kennedy & The Roman Catholic Liturgy

Jeff Ostrowski · October 20, 2014

755 Jacqueline Jackie Kennedy OON AFTER the assassination of her husband, Jacqueline Kennedy instructed agents to go into special archives and research the funeral of Abraham Lincoln. She wanted JFK’s funeral arrangments to resemble Lincoln’s. Because the lights were controlled by a timer—only turned on during normal business hours—the agents had to use flashlights. (How cool is that?)

But why did Jacqueline Kennedy want the funeral to be modelled after Lincoln’s? Was she acting eccentric, similar to how she insisted upon wearing her blood-stained dress as Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in on a Roman Catholic Missal? 1

I would suggest that Catholics who grasp the crucial role played by Tradition in our Faith do not require an explanation. Nor is an explanation required for those who understand the reasons behind the Church’s insistence on LITURGICAL TRADITION, like the priest’s vestments which—because they stretch back all the way to the Roman Empire—serve as a constant reminder of our Church’s antiquity.

If Jacqueline were asked why, she’d surely reply: “Traditions are important.”

756 Richard SOME PEOPLE WILL NEVER understand this. Similarly, some people will always mock the ancient ceremonies of the Church. Wagging their fingers, they’ll exclaim: “Why use liturgical torches? Why use candles? Those were used before electric lights were invented.” They’ll continue: “Why use music and prayers from the 6th century? Why perform so many ceremonial actions during the liturgy, such as having the priest intone the Gloria and Creed, or having the subdeacon guard the paten? These actions no longer serve the practical purposes they once did.”

To respond seems pointless. Either you get it, or you don’t. I fear some people never will.

So many fall down and worship modern “oracles” like Wikipedia. If Wikipedia tells them something, they accept it. If Wikipedia disputes it, they reject it. Years ago, such people were called philistines. They mock anything they don’t understand. A case in point is Robert Schumann’s “Sphinxes” from his Carnival, Opus 9. Wikipedia says not to play them, since they’re a secret “code” from Schumann to the performer. (Schumann was a bit strange.) Yet Rachmaninov, in his recording, does something creative with them. Who’s right? I’m sorry, but I’ll take Rachmaninov over Wikipedia any day.

Sometimes it takes considerable effort to come to an appreciation for that which is great. I still can’t believe WLP’s Vice-President attended a Latin Mass JUST ONE TIME and proceeded to draw conclusions. Can you imagine? It’s like someone picking up a Shakespeare play and saying, “Oh, I spent five minutes on it, and I didn’t care for it.” Or, it’s like someone visiting a new country for twenty minutes and saying, “Oh, I spent some time there. I don’t care for that place.”



NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1   Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in on a Roman Catholic missal instead of a Bible, since that was all they had available on Air Force One. It was John F. Kennedy’s. (It probably wasn’t the Jogues Illuminated Missal, because that wouldn’t be produced for another five decades.)

By the way, Jackie Kennedy told LBJ’s wife she wore her blood-stained suit because “I want them to see what they have done to Jack.” However, during a truly remarkable audio interview from 1964 (revealed for the first time in 2011) Jackie Kennedy reveals that she thought Lyndon B. Johnson had killed her husband. Was the bloody dress meant to send a message to LBJ? Kennedy had no regrets about refusing to take the blood-stained suit off; her only regret was that she had washed the blood off her face before Johnson was sworn in.

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Jacqueline Jackie Kennedy Onassis 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

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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