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“What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too…” Pope Benedict XVI (7 July 2007)

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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 Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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Jeff Ostrowski

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 Los Angeles.—(Read full biography).

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Quick Thoughts

5 April 2021 • When Girls *SING*

Covid restrictions here in California are still extremely severe—switching “two weeks to flatten the curve” into “two years to flatten the curve.” Since 2020, we’ve had police breaking into our church to check if everyone is wearing a mask…even when only 5-6 people are present! But we were allowed to have a small percentage of our singers back on Easter Sunday, and here is their live recording of the ancient Catholic hymn for Eastertide: Ad Cenam Agni Providi. The girls were so very excited to sing again—you can hear it in their voices!

—Jeff Ostrowski
29 March 2021 • FEEDBACK

“E.S.” in North Dakota writes: “I just wanted to take a moment to say THANK YOU for all the hard work you have put—and continue to put—into your wonderful website. In the past two years, my parish has moved from a little house basement into a brand new church and gone from a few families receiving Low Masses twice a month to several families (and many individuals) receiving Mass every Sunday, two Saturdays a month, and every Holy Day. Our priest has been incorporating more and more High Masses and various ceremonies into our lives, which has made my job as a huge newbie choir master very trying and complicated. CCWatershed has been an invaluable resource in helping me get on my feet and know what to do!!! Thank you more than I can express! May God bless you abundantly and assist you in your work and daily lives!”

—Jeff Ostrowski
29 March 2021 • Condemned?

On Palm Sunday, the Passion was read. Immediately after mention is made of the betrayal by Judas, the Holy Eucharist is introduced. Is this not a condemnation of “Christians” who deny the Church teaching on the SANCTISSIMUM? Here is Matthew 26: And Judas that betrayed him, answering, said: “Is it I, Rabbi?” He saith to him: “Thou hast said it.” And whilst they were at supper, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke: and gave to his disciples, and said: Take ye, and eat. This is my body.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“What will be the results of this innovation? The results expected, or rather desired, are that the faithful will participate in the liturgical mystery with more understanding, in a more practical, a more enjoyable and a more sanctifying way.” [Enjoyable?]

— Pope Paul VI (26 Nov 1969)

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