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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

A Church Music Issue Nobody Will Touch

Jeff Ostrowski · March 21, 2016

650 Footwashing OR A THOUSAND excellent reasons, we never delve into politics on this blog. The issue of abortion, however, is different because it’s a human rights issue, not a political one. On 7 March 2016, Senator Bernie Sanders was asked if abortion at any stage during pregnancy—even the moment of birth—should be prohibited. Sanders replied that an unborn child is part of a woman’s anatomy, and women can do as they please with their bodies. The moderator then continued to another subject.

In my view, more questions should have been asked, such as:

(1) You’ve said that children in the third trimester—even though they possess their own DNA and can live independently of the mother—are “part of the woman’s body.” At what specific point do these unborn children become human? Are they still part of the mother’s body when partially delivered?

(2) Based on your answer, is it correct to say that you believe the rights of innocent (unborn) boys and girls can be ignored once another human being decides to end their life?

(3) You say an unborn child has no rights, but others disagree with you and believe every human life matters. They feel the government should protect ALL innocent humans from violence, even those not strong enough to defend themselves. How would you feel if things were reversed, and your views were discounted?

As far as I know, Senator Sanders has never had to answer questions like these. The subject of “questions never asked” always calls to mind a certain liturgical abuse…

MUCH HAS BEEN WRITTEN about Cardinal Sarah’s recent “foot washing” documents. Yet, this tiny (optional) ceremony is insignificant compared to another liturgical issue, about which questions are never asked. I speak of an abuse that touches every single Ordinary Form Mass in the United States. Specifically, on 12 November 2012 the Bishops’ Liturgy Committee said that certain sections of the GIRM can be ignored. 1 But if that’s true, what other sections of the GIRM can be ignored? And what was so unacceptable about the Propers, which are ancient antiphons from Sacred Scripture? Was not the whole point of the liturgical movement to help people “sing the Mass” instead of singing during Mass?

We can ask these questions all day, but they’ll never be answered. That is why we have a situation where 99% of parishes replace the Propers with texts lacking the approval required by the GIRM. I’m at a loss to know why journals, blogs, and institutions claiming to care deeply about the liturgy refuse to address this so-called “tacit” approval. A more accurate description would be “imaginary” approval. 2



NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1   The GIRM requires that substitute texts must first be approved by the local bishop.

2   The Bishops’ Liturgy Committee has also made additions & modifications to the GIRM. For example, they claim that whenever a bishop approves a song for his diocese, that permission automatically extends to every other diocese in the USA; whereas the GIRM says a bishop’s approval only holds good inside his diocese. If only the FSSP had known how to bend the rules! During the 1990s, our priests visited each bishop, asking permission to start an Apostolate. Imagine if the FSSP had simply said, “The bishop of Kansas City has approved us, so his permission automatically extends to every other diocese in the United States.”

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Hymns Replacing Propers 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 • “7 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 is called: “Professor Bouyer’s Regret.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Cardinal Ranjith on “Active Participation”
    From 2005–2009, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith served as Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. He was considered ‘papabile’ during the last conclave. On 8 December 2008, he wrote this powerful statement concerning Gregorian Chant, participatio actuosa, celebration “ad orientem,” and other subjects. When it comes to the question of what “sacred” means, Monsignor Robert A. Skeris provides a marvelous answer.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Music List” • 22nd in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 31 August 2025, which is the 22nd 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 spectacular feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    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
    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

Random Quote

“Vatican II did not say anything about the direction of the celebrant. […] I love both directions of celebrating Mass. Both are full of meaning for me. Both help me to encounter Christ—and that is, after all, the purpose of the liturgy.”

— Christoph Cardinal Schönborn (February 2007)

Recent Posts

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  • Cardinal Ranjith on “Active Participation”
  • Exec. Director of ICEL weighs in on our series • “PDF comparison chart” included

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