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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

“Liturgy Shaming”

Jeff Ostrowski · March 14, 2016

673 liturgy shaming image OR SEVERAL WEEKS, various liturgical blogs have been commenting on an article by William Bornhoft against “online liturgy shaming.” It’s important to realize that Mr. Bornhoft is on record with hysterical statements 1 that disqualify him from speaking about the liturgy. He has also written the following about Catholics who appreciate Mass in the Extraordinary Form:

Anyone interested in seeing the Catholic faith thrive in the world, rather than be ignored, should be concerned about a generation of Catholics who oppose reforms that the vast majority of Cardinals supported 50 years ago.

So much is wrong with that statement! For example, Vatican II never approved any liturgical changes. The Council approved principles—such as the preservation of Latin (a mandate not a suggestion) and the primacy of Gregorian chant—and we’ve seen how the wishes of the Council were ignored. Indeed, when Michael Cardinal Browne warned that Latin might disappear entirely if the vernacular was allowed, the fathers of Vatican II famously roared with laughter at such a suggestion. 2

When we consider the crisis in the Church, it would be difficult to imagine a subject less worthy of attention than “liturgy shaming.” Consider the thirty-five members of my choir here in Los Angeles. Not one of them would even know what “liturgy shaming” refers to. They are focused on trying to get closer to our Lord, raising their children properly, avoiding sin, praying, and doing spiritual & corporal works of mercy. They don’t go to sleep at night worried about people disseminating videos of public liturgies.

Moreover, Bornhoft’s thesis has major fallacies. For example, some have pointed out that “a process” also exists for reporting police violence (think “Rodney King”). Yet, which of us would assert that police videos should be kept private? Sharing such videos does not obliterate the process in place. This analogy—while not perfect—is worthy of consideration.

MANY ONLINE HAVE COMMENTED in favor of Bornhoft’s article, and keep telling potential liturgy shamers to “mind their own business.” However, they fail to realize they’re partaking in the very thing they profess to deplore! They’re typing on the internet in an effort to stop something they dislike, rather than addressing the perpetrator directly.

Indeed, Mr. Bornhoft is not in a position to tell others to “mind their own business.” Consider his internet article attacking a tiny minority of the Catholic Church (my family included) who simply want to be left in peace.

Perhaps “liturgy shaming” would be appropriate in this instance. In the past, I have advocated contacting bishops directly with letters like this … but that doesn’t seem to be working! I suspect liturgy shaming would reveal that “tacit approval” is actually “imaginary approval.”



NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1   My wife and I are both millennials who appreciate the Traditional Latin Mass. Consider what Mr. Bornhoft has written about us:

I appreciate TLM Millennials as strong advocates for better adherence to Catholic teaching, whether it’s fasting before mass, showing more reverence towards communion, or engaging in regular confession. But their views on the liturgy, and reform in general, are misguided and threaten to intensify divisions within the Church. Whether they realize it or not, TLM Millennials are not on the side of orthodox Catholicism. They are at odds with the teachings of the Catholic Church.

I’m not offended by such words, because Mr. Bornhoft clearly craves attention—and vile words like those have obtained for him that which he craves!

2   Notice that Mr. Bornhoft refers us to something that happened 50+ years ago to keep us “current”—whereas Summorum Pontificum was issued in 2007, and Universae Ecclesiae came in 2011.

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Liturgy Shaming 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

    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
    PDF Download • “Offertory” for this Sunday
    This coming Sunday, 12 October 2025, is the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). Its OFFERTORY ANTIPHON (PDF) is gorgeous, and comes from the book of Esther, as did the ENTRANCE CHANT last Sunday. Depending on a variety of factors, various hand-missals (all with Imprimatur) translate this passage differently. For instance, “príncipis” can be rendered: King; Prince; Lion; or Fierce lord. None is “more correct” than another. It depends on which source text is chosen and what each translator wants to emphasize. All these pieces of plainsong are conveniently stored at the blue-ribbon feasts website.
    —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

“It is true that I have a preference for those who are discarded,” said Francis, for he is a humble man and would be the first to admit it.

— Tim Stanley, writing for “The Telegraph” on 13 March 2023

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