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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 Los Angeles.—(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

    Seven (7) Hymn Verses for November!
    In the month of November, we remember in a special way the souls in purgatory. The BRÉBEUF HYMNAL often includes text alone versions for its hymns; why is that? The short answer is: flexibility. The “text only” version allows each choirmaster to employ a myriad of melodies. For example, I recently set the English translation of “De Profúndis” with the DAVOST MELODY (PDF). We are singing this before November ends. Indeed, you can hear our volunteer singing this (in real life) if you click here.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Worst Hymn Pairing Of All Time?
    For hymns in the Brébeuf Portal not yet recorded by human voices, I’ve been attempting to create recordings on the pipe organ. My latest attempt (Mp3) is a hymn called “DAVOST.” It’s a nice tune, but it must be paired with just the right lyrics. Do sickening examples of hymn pairings exist? Oh, most certainly! To download the most ghastly pairing I know, try this one—if your stomach is strong enough. If such things interest you, check out: “Six Pernicious Hymn Pairings.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Jeff’s Attempt at Pipe Organ “Stops”
    I've been attempting to record some Brébeuf hymns on the pipe organ, but I know very little about registration (“stops”). You can listen to this morning's attempt, a recording of a tune called TRINITY COLLEGE. Do you know this tune? It's quite nice. Feel free to email me vis-à-vis the registration I chose. To quickly locate all instances of the TRINITY COLLEGE melody in the Brébeuf Hymnal, search the magic portal for “Trinity College.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“The Church has always kept, and wishes still to maintain everywhere, the language of her Liturgy; and, before the sad and violent changes of the 16th century, this eloquent and effective symbol of unity of faith and communion of the faithful was, as you know, cherished in England not less than elsewhere. But this has never been regarded by the Holy See as incompatible with the use of popular hymns in the language of each country.”

— Pope Leo XIII (1898)

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