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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

Breathtaking Images from Poland

Jeff Ostrowski · August 16, 2016

ACK IN 1978, Fr. Joseph Gelineau wrote: “We must say it plainly: the Roman rite as we knew it exists no more. It has gone.” 1 On 28 January 2007, Fr. Reginald Foster—a high-ranking Vatican official for more than 40 years—declared categorically that Pope Benedict XVI would never authorize the traditional rite:

“He is not going to do it. He had trouble with Regensberg, and then trouble in Warsaw, and if he does this, all hell will break loose.” Then Fr. Foster added: “It is a useless Mass and the whole mentality is stupid. The idea of it is that things were better in the old days. It makes the Vatican look medieval.”

Those priests obviously never read Yogi Berra, who once quipped: “It’s tough to make predictions, especially about the future.” Consider the following images, kindly sent by a reader. They were taken during a spectacular liturgical conference held in Poland last week:

200 Ars Celebrandi 2016 F 200 Ars Celebrandi 2016 E 200 Ars Celebrandi 2016 D 200 Ars Celebrandi 2016 C 200 Ars Celebrandi 2016 B 200 Ars Celebrandi 2016 A

To Fr. Gelineau and Fr. Foster, I can only say: “Rumors of the traditional liturgy’s death have been greatly exaggerated.”

By the way, there are more amazing images at this website, and those who can understand Polish will want to visit their splendid homepage.

199 banner ars celebrandi Poland


I can’t understand Polish, but I’d like to know more about the singers. It seems the music was was sung by Robert Pozharsky, Marcin Bornus-Szczyciński, Konrad Zagajewski, Jan Golaski, Joanna Eagle, Paulina Kukiz, Magdalena Krzywda-Krzysteczko, and Bogumil Kazmierczak.



NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1   Gelineau said this even though paragraph 50 of Sacrosanctum Concilium declared: “the rite of the Mass is to be revised in such a way that the intrinsic nature…may be more clearly manifested, and that devout and active participation by the faithful may be more easily achieved.”

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

    “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

Luys de Villafranca, master of the altar boys—who are to be distinguished from the choirboys (“seises”) because they study only plainchant whereas the choirboys live with the chapelmaster and study polyphony and counterpoint as well—is rewarded on October 17 with a salary increase of 6,000 maravedís and an extra 12 bushels of wheat.

— Sevilla Cathedral: Chapter Resolution (7 September 1565)

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