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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

Does Our Enlightened Age Still Need “Sacred” Music?

Jeff Ostrowski · August 30, 2016

REQUENTLY, I’VE TALKED ABOUT what is—in my humble opinion 1—a serious flaw of the liturgical reformers: treating men like angels. Their mistake was an A PRIORI one which deemed physical motions unnecessary for prayer, and they eliminated hundreds of physical gestures from Mass. 2 But men are not pure spirits; we have bodies and live in the physical world. They failed to realize that such gestures had greatly assisted devotion. And whether we like it or not, music also has an effect on us.

One of my favorite films has always been Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life (1946). Can you imagine the following scene without music?


For decades, progressive liturgists have insisted that one style of music is as good as another. According to them, all styles are “equally suitable” for use at Mass. But movie directors know better! They know that different styles of music accomplish different goals.

If you ever feel mischievous, ask progressive liturgists what styles they would forbid during Mass. If you want to make them furious, ask WHY such styles are bad. (They will never answer that question.)

I believe music is powerful. Moreover, I believe certain styles are appropriate for a football game, a toothpaste commercial, a carousel ride, or a wedding reception. On the other hand, I believe other musical styles possess a “level of dignity” suitable for Mass. I became convinced of this (again) last Sunday, hearing our volunteer FSSP choir in Los Angeles sing a Viadana Gloria—so beautiful, prayerful, and uplifting.  I was blown away!

Our culture tries to convince us we can live in an alternate reality—a “computerized” reality. I believe many of our liturgical issues will be solved when our culture once again becomes fully human!



NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1   It is not forbidden to criticize the reforms, which were enacted with unbelievable haste. I’ve been reading the memoirs of Fr. Louis Bouyer, recently published by IGNATIUS. Bouyer, a close friend of Pope Paul VI, was deeply involved with the liturgical reforms of Vatican II. His sober assessment corroborates what many others have attested, such as the words of Cardinal Antonelli. At some point, I hope to share excerpts of what Bouyer has written. Suffice it to say, the sloppiness which characterized much (not all) of the post-conciliar reforms is horrifying.

2   The traditional rite contains numerous gestures. Examples would include physical instructions given to the celebrant, such as full bow, medium bow, head bow, striking one’s breast, kissing the Altar, holding one’s hands in a certain position, making circular motions with one’s arms, and so forth. The pre-conciliar rubrics even controlled where the priest’s eyes must look during certain times at Mass.

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Louis Bouyer Oratorian Priest Last Updated: July 13, 2023

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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

Thus in 1905 the Vatican Kyriale appeared with rhythmic signs and the following legend: “Præsens exemplar, rhythmicis signis a Solesmensibus monachis ornatum, typicae Vaticanæ editioni de cætero plane conforme repertum est.” (This copy, provided with rhythmic signs by the monks of Solesmes, completely agrees in every other respect with the Vatican original.)

— Dom Gregory Hügle, OSB

Recent Posts

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  • “Dynamic Equivalence” • Serious Problems with the Forthcoming Lectionary Translation
  • Cardinal Ranjith on “Active Participation”
  • Exec. Director of ICEL weighs in on our series • “PDF comparison chart” included

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