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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

What Are You Doing For Lent?

Jeff Ostrowski · February 8, 2016

783 Lion Cardinal YESTERDAY, the Chaplain of FSSP.la gave a homily with suggestions on how to make spiritual progress for Lent. Here’s part of what he said: 1

RADITIONALLY, Catholics from age 21 until 59 would fast every day during Lent. Under Pope Paul VI, the fasting rules were relaxed a bit. However, for those wishing to do something a little more intense this Lent, here are ten ideas:

1. Fast

This is the traditional manner of observing Lent: one main meal per day, which may include meat. Optionally you may have two smaller meatless meals, but no snacks in between. Liquids can be had at any time.

2. Stop a Sin

This is particularly good for those who may confess the exact same list each time. Pick one sin and overcome it during the next 40 days. By the end of lent you will no longer commit that sin. You will find that with one sin off your confession list, you will be able to break the other vices, too.

3. Daily Mass

Holy Mother the Church has not mandated us to go to daily Mass because for many it is not possible. However, for every single day of Lent, the Church provides special formularies—Introit, Collect, Epistle, Gospel, and so forth. Let us respond to what the Church is here offering us.

4. Daily Rosary

This would be the best recommendation for any family that is not praying the Rosary daily.

5. No Meat or Dairy

An idea borrowed from the Eastern Rites, who to this day require their members to abstain from meat, dairy, and (here’s the kicker) substitutes for them. So for example no butter, but also no margarine.

6. The Phone

The phone is the plague of our century. It destroys character, interaction, friendships, families, and our time. We are glued to these devices. Abstain from the use of the phone (texting, using apps, etc) for a certain amount of time each day. Specify what time and set reminders. (For example from 8 am until 10 am.) Or do not bring the phone to the dinner table etc.

7. Silence

Many people need noise at all times. A good penance would be to silence that noise. So, no music in the car. Nor background television at home. Maintain periods of silence, where there is no background noise. (This one is easy for monks, but not for most Catholics.)

8. Internet

Limit the computer use each day. Give yourself three hours to use the computer. This would include emails, browsing the web, etc. But then you turn the computer off, and you do not check your emails or the web or anything for the rest of the day, until the next day. Three hours is actually a long time—if you decide less, good for you!

9. Talking

This is a fun one. But difficult. You can choose one of two things to curb your tongue with. Either you never talk about yourself, or you only ever say good things (about anything). “This food is great!” — “I like the clothes that person is wearing” … and so on.

10. Sleep

Go to sleep early and wake up early. Use the extra hour gained for spiritual reading. It can be any spiritual reading you like: a book about a saint, a book about a virtue—anything! But the key is to go to sleep early and wake up early.


If I could be permitted to add one item to Father’s excellent list. There exist many pernicious websites these days—especially anonymous ones—which harm the Catholic Church all day long. Perhaps Lent would be an appropriate time to stop visiting these, no matter how “captivating” their salacious gossip is.



NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1   This is a summary of the homily delivered in Saint Victor Church, so I heard it “live.” Please forgive any imperfections in my transcription.

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

    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

In the ’60s, I thought this emphasis on congregational singing was to encourage good Catholic hymns like “Immaculate Mary” and so forth … but after the Council, they threw them out, too!

— ‘Fr. Valentine Young, OFM (2007)’

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