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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

Rehearsal videos • “Come, Holy Ghost” (SATB)

Jeff Ostrowski · May 11, 2016

UITE A SPECIAL EVENT is approaching: Sacred Music Symposium 2016. The culmination—to which you are cordially invited—will take place on 31 May. There will be Solemn Mass (4:30pm), followed by a ceremony with Archbishop Gomez. It was necessary to choose a harmonization for COME, HOLY GHOST, a hymn Catholics love to sing! The English translation is by Fr. Edward Caswall (d. 1878), and the melody was composed by Fr. Louis Lambillotte (d. 1855). I chose the following harmonization, by Giuseppe Moretti (d. 1927):

    * *  PDF Download • COME, HOLY GHOST (SATB w/ Organ)

EQUAL VOICES : YouTube   •   Mp3 Audio

SOPRANO : YouTube   •   Audio

ALTO : YouTube   •   Audio

TENOR : YouTube   •   Audio

BASS : YouTube   •   Audio

Moretti borrows a Renaissance technique where voices don’t always move in sync. I can’t decide whether I love it or hate it. I hope you will come to the events on 31 May—especially the Solemn Mass at 4:30pm—and you can decide whether this arrangement “works.” (The rehearsal videos don’t count, since it’s just my voice singing all the parts.)

We’d love to see you there!   …and you can meet the FSSP District Superior!

MANY READERS WILL KNOW the name of Fr. Louis Lambillotte (1796-1855), a Jesuit priest. Here’s a 1955 article about Fr. Lambillotte by another Jesuit, Fr. Paul Callens, who taught Gregorian chant in Corpus Christi, Texas, for many years. He also translated this letter by Dom Gajard, condemning plainsong adaptations in the vernacular & the Pius XII Psalter.

By the way, choir members often ask permission to “sing parts” for hymns. It is incumbent on the choirmaster—before permission is granted—to make sure the harmonies match. Hymns usually have several harmonizations. When the organist plays “A” while singers use “B,” the result is cacophony.

Finally, COME, HOLY GHOST is one of those hymns we’re not supposed to like. We’re supposed to say that homo modernus cannot appreciate such outdated, saccharine, quaint hymns. But I love this hymn—and many Catholics agree with me. When I call to mind my brother’s Confirmation, tears spring to my eyes (even after all these years) and I’m moved to pray for him and thank God for his Confirmation. There can’t be too much wrong with a hymn that can evoke such feelings of love & devotion, right? (Just don’t tell homo modernus, please!)


A discussion about this post is underway.

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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President’s Corner

    “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
    “The Worm That Dieth Not”
    My pastor asked me to write a column for our parish bulletin with reflections on the sacred liturgy and church music. In my most recent article, I discuss “The Worm That Dieth Not.” At this website, you can access it conveniently; simply scroll down to the one dated 31 August 2025.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    A Nice Hymn In Spanish
    In my humble opinion, this is a really beautiful hymn in Spanish. If I practice diligently, I’ll be able to pronounce all the words properly. If you’re someone who’s interested in obtaining a melody only version (suitable for your congregational ORDER OF WORSHIP) you can steal that from this.
    —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

Indeed I might add that although unfamiliar with it myself, the Extraordinary Form expressly reminds us that Mass in either form is not merely a communion meal but a ritual of love, a sacrifice at Calvary, by which, for you and for me, yes, here and now, Jesus Christ lays down his life.

— ‘Most Rev. Philip Egan, Bishop of Portsmouth’

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