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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

Archives for July 2016

Jeff Ostrowski · July 17, 2016

Showdown in Arkansas over “Ad Orientem”

The Bishop of Little Rock has sent a letter (14 July 2016) forbidding his priests to celebrate Mass “ad orientem.”

Jeff Ostrowski · July 16, 2016

Musical Resources • 9th Sunday after Pentecost

“…and that Thou mayest grant their desires to them, make them ask only for things that please Thee…”

Corpus Christi Watershed · July 15, 2016

Photograph • Robert Cardinal Sarah “Ad Orientem”

“Dear Fathers, we should listen to the lament of God proclaimed by the prophet Jeremiah: «They have turned their back to me» (2:27). Let us turn again towards the Lord!”

Richard J. Clark · July 15, 2016

Letter from USCCB Committee on Divine Worship on “Ad Orientem”

Most Rev’d Serratelli says the current rubrics “reflect the real possibility that the celebrant might be facing away from the assembly.”

Richard J. Clark · July 15, 2016

The Illusion of Privacy • Social Media Etiquette for Liturgical Musicians

A very wise and compassionate Jesuit priest kindly exhorted me to avoid writing such missives. I quickly heeded his advice. So should you. Here’s why:

Andrew Leung · July 14, 2016

Three False Ideas about “Ad Orientem” Celebration

Three common misconceptions about the Mass and “ad orientem” worship.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 13, 2016

SATB “Agnus Dei” after Fr. Gregorio Allegri (d. 1652)

Without question, the most popular piece I ever “wrote.”

Jeff Ostrowski · July 13, 2016

Shocking Developments From Westminster

If Cardinal Nichols had simply sent a letter saying why he prefers “versus populum,” I believe that would have been a better choice.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 12, 2016

Did Fr. Lombardi Contradict Cardinal Sarah?

Perhaps a better phrase would be Bishop Gracida’s version: “Renewal of the Renewal.”

Corpus Christi Watershed · July 11, 2016

The Vatican Has Already Responded To Cardinal Nichols Regarding “Ad Orientem”

“No preference is expressed in the liturgical legislation for either position.”

Jeff Ostrowski · July 9, 2016

“Quam Singulari” • Decree on First Communion (1910)

Pope St. Pius X wanted this decree to be read each year from the pulpit by all Catholic priests.

Richard J. Clark · July 8, 2016

Those Pesky Letters of Complaint

As surely as the sun rises in the East and sets in the West, someone will be unhappy. Displeasure does not discriminate.

Corpus Christi Watershed · July 7, 2016

Cardinal Sarah “Reform of the Reform” (5 July 2016) • Full Address in French & English

Breathtaking statements from the Vatican’s chief liturgist who—while on retreat—goes 72 hours without food or water.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 6, 2016

Sensational Hymn for St. Joseph … with Modern Polyphony!

We’ll be singing this piece a lot because our priest has a special devotion to St. Joseph.

Fr. David Friel · July 6, 2016

Pope Francis to Cardinal Sarah: Investigate an Official Reform of the Reform

Highlights from Cardinal Sarah’s Lecture at Sacra Liturgia UK 2016

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    “Music List” • 17th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I prepared for the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time (27 July 2025). 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 the feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Communion • “Ask & You Shall Receive”
    All of the chants for 27 July 2025 have been added to the feasts website, as usual under a convenient “drop down” menu. The COMMUNION ANTIPHON (both text and melody) are exceedingly beautiful and ancient.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Jeff’s Mother Joins Our Fundraiser
    To assist our fundraiser, Mrs. Kathleen Ostrowski has drawn several beautiful sketches which she offers to all our readers free of charge. If you have a moment, I invite you download them at this link.
    —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

On 12 March 1908, Feast of St. Gregory the Great, the complete publication of the “Graduale” was issued by the Vatican Press. That very day, Dom Pothier solemnly presented the first copy to the Holy Father. Pius X wished to be the first to see the new book; he opened it at random, at page 128 of the supplement “pro aliquibus locis”—the Introit of the new Feast of Our lady of Lourdes. The Pope sang it with perfect taste to the last note.

— A witness of the papal audience writing circa 1915

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