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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

Pope Francis & Tomfoolery From The “LA Times”

Jeff Ostrowski · March 12, 2015

173 Benedict 1962 ERE in Los Angeles, there’s been some buzz about a rather silly article in the LA Times. My first thought was: “What on earth is the LA Times doing publishing such nonsense?” For one thing, Los Angeles doesn’t have an overwhelming number of traditionalist Catholics, which is why the FSSP is in the process of founding a parish in response to the 2007 papal document, Summorum Pontificum.

In certain quarters, I’ve observed “hysteria” whenever articles like this appear. Two basic causes are at the root. First, there’s an unfortunate tendency to mimic the mainstream media’s 24/7 coverage of Obama, which we’ve already discussed. Second, there’s a lack of understanding about the nature of the papacy.

Many faithful Catholics first experienced the 1962 Missal during the pontificate of Benedict XVI, who personally celebrated it. Having experienced B16’s support, they have a hard time accepting that popes can make errors regarding liturgy. In fact, the Breviary reforms under Pope Pius X have been widely condemned by serious liturgists. Pope Pius XII allowed wild and unthinkable changes to the Traditional Latin Mass. I’ve cited the reprehensible disaster of Pope Urban VIII, and recently referenced the liturgical schizophrenia of Pope Paul VI.

When my family began attending the Traditional Latin Mass during the 1990s, I served Mass at least once each week. We also celebrated with solemnity the special feasts—Corpus Christi, Holy Week, and so on. At this time, the Holy Father gave almost no support to our movement, yet I can’t remember being bothered by this. We were so focused on the miracle of the Holy Mass, we didn’t have time to question whether John Paul II said Mass ad orientem that week or made public comments in support of our tiny movement.

The Uniate Eastern Catholics have probably experienced something similar for the last 1,000+ years. They don’t wake up every morning and wonder whether the Pope said anything in favor of their particular liturgy. Most are totally focused on Christ; too busy for sensationalist nonsense.

When asked by reporters about the Traditional Latin Mass, here’s what Pope Francis ought to respond:

“Our world is filled with enormous suffering. Our Church is in crisis, with an unbelievable number of Catholics who don’t attend Mass and can’t enunciate even the most basic tenets of our Faith. For you to ask me about such a thing—wherein a small percentage of Catholics lawfully attend an ancient liturgy according to the provisions of a 2007 papal decree—speaks volumes about your lack of proficiency as a reporter. Therefore, either ask me a serious question about a pressing issue or I’ll go to the next questioner.”

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

Filed Under: Articles 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

    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

“I ask that future priests, from their time in the seminary, receive the preparation needed to understand and to celebrate Mass in Latin, and also to use Latin texts and execute Gregorian chant; nor should we forget that the faithful can be taught to recite the more common prayers in Latin, and also to sing parts of the liturgy to Gregorian chant.”

— SACRAMENTUM CARITATIS

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