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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

The Secret Way The Latin Mass Has Won

Jeff Ostrowski · October 27, 2014

752 Latin Mass OBODY WOULD DISPUTE that Collegeville’s Liturgical Press has been the preëminent propagandist for radical liturgical changes. They have produced three blogs:

PrayTell: geared toward “progressive” liturgists

Rock and Theology: supporting secular music in Catholic liturgies

Raids Across the Color Line: dealing with what they deem “the abhorrent amount of racism” in the USA

I haven’t spent much time reading ROCK AND THEOLOGY. Nor have I found much time for RAIDS ACROSS THE COLOR LINE (which contains posts like Growing Up Racist and Misogynist and Catholic). However, during the months I was bedridden due to illness, I spent some time going through PrayTell, with a mixture of curiosity and horror. Much could be said about PrayTell, but today I will mention one aspect only. 1

THE PRIMARY EDITOR of PrayTell is obsessed with the Extraordinary Form. He abhors it, yet can’t stop talking about it, and broaches the topic constantly—not only in his posts, but also in his comment fields. Following the announcement of Most Rev. Blase Cupich being sent to Chicago, the editor’s VERY FIRST COMMENT was to note that Cupich allegedly persecuted EF Catholics in Rapid City. 2 How embarrassing! It’s as if he’s wearing blinders, and all he cares about is whether someone dares to support in any way the Rite loved for so many centuries by so many saints.

In another post, having spoken about how wonderful it was to attend Vespers in St. Peter’s Basilica, the PrayTell editor couldn’t be content. Instead, he had to exclaim, with a double question mark for emphasis, “After such a beautiful and dignified reformed liturgy, why would anyone hanker after the unreformed preconciliar one??” Many more examples could be provided.

Perhaps you think I am frustrated by such things. After all, PrayTell is hardly alone in their “EF derangement syndrome”—many in the progressive camp do likewise on a daily basis. Some might be tempted to say:

“Why must you denigrate those who prefer the Extraordinary Form? Only a tiny minority of Catholics currently have the EF: why don’t you mind your own business? Why aren’t you bothered by other Catholics using an ancient rite, like the Byzantine Catholics? Why is it an unforgivable sin in your eyes that a small minority of Catholics worship in the EF?”

However, I never will say anything like that, because I’m glad they’re obsessed with the Extraordinary Form. Every time they denigrate it, more Catholics become curious and end up falling in love with it. Those of us who attended daily Mass in the Extraordinary Form during the 1990s remember how small the movement was, yet we knew we had a treasure that speaks directly to the hearts of men. (Even EF opponents secretly realize its power and magnificence.) We have been delighted to see how this movement has flourished.

Yesterday, I attended Mass in a city I’d never heard of. The EF Mass was packed—even though it was scheduled at a bad time—and the choir was wonderful. After Mass, I met a lady who has sixty-four (64) grandchildren and eighty-seven (87) great-grandchildren. All of her kids are practicing Catholics, and most attend the Extraordinary Form. No, friends, this movement will not die. And it certainly will not die at the hands of the PrayTell Blog, no matter how snarky their posts become.



NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1   For example, one could examine PrayTell’s ruthless and discriminatory suppression of most comments by “conservative Catholics” or their pseudo–intellectual attempts a few weeks ago to put a new spin on clown Masses.

2   I’ve taken a screen shot of this, in case the PrayTell Editor decides to remove his comment. PrayTell often removes posts, usually when their contributors are caught making a technical error describing the liturgy. For myself, I think such things ought to remain, as a matter of honesty, but nobody is asking my opinion!

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Extraordinary Form 1962 Missal, PrayTell Blog, Traditional Latin Mass Tridentine Rite Last Updated: April 28, 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

    Liturgical Round (“Canon”) in C-Major
    Those who direct children’s choirs are always on the lookout for repertoire that’s dignified, inspired, and pleasing—yet still within reach of young choristers. Such directors will want to investigate this haunting liturgical round (PDF download) which has been married to the KYRIE from Mass VI (EDITIO VATICANA). I have provided an accompaniment, but it’s only for use during rehearsal; i.e. when teaching this round to your choristers. I also provided an organ accompaniment for the KYRIE—which some know by its trope (Kyrie Rex Genitor)—so that your congregation can take part when this round is used as a choral extension during Mass.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Latin Liturgy Association
    We note with pleasure that Mrs. Regina Morris, president of the Latin Liturgy Association, has featured—on page 4 of Volume CXXIX of their official newsletter—the three (3) terrific versions of the Stations of the Cross found in the Brébeuf Hymnal. One of the main authors for the blog of the Church Music Association of America said (6/10/2019) about this pew book: “It is such a fantastic hymnal that it deserves to be in the pews of every Catholic church.”
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Music List” • 28th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 12 October 2025, which is the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). 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 dazzling feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    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
    “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
    The American Catholic Hymnal, with IMPRIMATUR granted (25 April 1991) by the Archdiocese of Chicago, is like a compendium of every horrible idea from the 1980s. Imagine being forced to stand all through Communion (even afterwards) when those self-same ‘enlightened’ liturgists moved the SEQUENCE before the Alleluia to make sure congregations wouldn’t have to stand during it. (Even worse, everything about the SEQUENCE—including its name—means it should follow the Alleluia.) And imagine endlessly repeating “Alleluia” during Holy Communion at every single Mass. It was all part of an effort to convince people that Holy Communion was historically a procession (which it wasn’t).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Fifty years ago, Dr. Theodore Marier made available this clever arrangement (PDF) of “Come down, O love divine” by P. R. Dietterich. The melody was composed in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (d. 1958) and named in honor of of his birthplace: DOWN AMPNEY. The arrangement isn’t a strict canon, but it does remind one of a canon since the pipe organ employs “points of imitation.” The melody and text are #709 in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

In the United States, Archbishop Kenrick had said in his “Moral Theology” that it was acceptable to sing the “Véni Sáncte Spíritus” before the sermon.

— Monsignor Schmitt (1977)

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  • PDF Download • Liturgical Round (“Canon”) for your Children’s Choir
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  • Important Quote by a Church Musician

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