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Views from the Choir Loft

Diversity Of Thought

Jeff Ostrowski · March 26, 2015

114 Saint Thomas Aquinas Stained Glass OBODY WILL OBJECT if you come out strongly in favor of “diversity of thought.” This is one of the few dogmas embraced by everyone in our society. (To mention the uncomfortable fact that no one is allowed diversity of thought regarding accepting diversity of thought is considered impolite.) Politicians realize the value of universally-accepted notions which can be spoken at a moment’s notice, and most of them begin with: “More could be done in the area of…”

Speaking of worthless statements by politicians, I once mistakenly assumed an acquaintance could recognize how silly they are. A presidential candidate responded to a question with a typical answer—something like, “I feel strongly that we should stand up and oppose unjust persecutions.” I blurted out, “Oh, I think we ought to encourage unjust persecutions.” Failing to understand my sarcasm, the acquaintance looked at me as though I were a lunatic.

“Diversity of thought” sounds great when you first hear it, but examined more closely becomes problematic. For example, suppose 100 people support BLOODLETTING as a valid medical practice, while 37 agree with modern doctors (who condemn it as a dangerous pseudoscience). Is “diversity of thought” here really a positive thing? Surely not. (The question of whether it should be illegal to hold a false view about bloodletting is a different debate and will not be explored today.)

Over the years, I’ve occasionally skimmed publications 1 by liturgical “progressive” organizations. They clamor for a reformed Catholic Church “where all voices are heard.” (This mantra is beloved and repeated incessantly by one of the Collegeville Press blogs.) Let’s think about this, though. When it comes to reforming the liturgy, do we really want “all voices” heard? Should liturgical opinions of—for example—those convicted of unspeakable crimes be given consideration? I suspect the folks at Collegeville Press would respond as follows:

“We do advocate that all voices be heard; but we reserve the right to disqualify voices we deem too extreme.”

…and that is an altogether different matter, isn’t it?



NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1   A particularly large trove is here.

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

    Simplest “Agnus Dei” Ever Published
    Our choir is on break during the month of July. I needed a relatively simple “Agnus Dei,” so I composed this setting for organ & voice in honor of Saint René Goupil. It has been called the simplest setting ever composed. I love CARMEN GREGORIANUM (“Gregorian Chant”), especially the ALLELUIAS, INTROITS, and COMMUNION ANTIPHONS. That being said, some have pointed out that certain sections of the Kyriale aren’t as strong as the Graduale or Vesperale. There’s a reason for this—but it would be too complicated to explain at this moment.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Our choir is on break during the month of July. However, on the feasts website, the chants have been posted for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C), which is this coming Sunday: 6 July 2025.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Bugnini’s Statement (6 November 1966)
    With each passing day, more is revealed about how the enemies of the liturgy accomplished their goals. For instance, Hannibal Bugnini deeply resented the way Vatican II said Gregorian Chant “must be given first place in liturgical services.” On 6 November 1966, his cadre wrote a letter attempting to justify the elimination of Gregorian Chant with this brazen statement: “What really gives a Mass its tone is not so much the songs as it is the prayers and readings.” Bugnini’s cadre then attacked the very heart of Gregorian Chant (viz. the Proprium Missae), bemoaning how the Proprium Missae “is completely new each Sunday and feast day.” There is much more to be said about this topic. Stay tuned.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Pope Pius XII Hymnal?
    Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Hybrid” Chant Notation?
    Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Antiphons Don’t Match?
    A reader wants to know why the Entrance and Communion antiphons in certain publications deviate from what’s prescribed by the GRADUALE ROMANUM published after Vatican II. Click here to read our answer. The short answer is: the Adalbert Propers were never intended to be sung. They were intended for private Masses only (or Masses without music). The “Graduale Parvum,” published by the John Henry Newman Institute of Liturgical Music in 2023, mostly uses the Adalbert Propers—but sometimes uses the GRADUALE text: e.g. Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (29 June).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“Prohibiting or suspecting the extraordinary form can only be inspired by the demon who desires our suffocation and spiritual death.”

— Robert Cardinal Sarah (23-sep-2019), chosen by Pope Francis to be the Vatican’s chief liturgist

Recent Posts

  • Simplest “Agnus Dei” Ever Published
  • Bishop François Charrière Vs. Hannibal Bugnini
  • 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
  • “My First Year with the Latin Mass” • A Music Director’s Perspective
  • Boston Auxiliary Bishop: “In offering the Traditional Mass for the first time, after removing the vestments, I knelt in the back pew and wept.”

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