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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

“Benedictus” • Palestrina Uses The “Dragnet” Theme!

Jeff Ostrowski · November 30, 2016

ONE BUT A FOOL thinks he understands the passage of time. Saint Augustine of Hippo said: “What is time? If no one asks, I know. But when I try to explain, I do not know.” God is outside of time, and the Traditional Mass reflects this by “dramatic misplacements” (according to Fortescue). However, there’s another way the EF reminds us God is outside of time: many actions & prayers occur simultaneously with musical prayers.

Whether it’s Guerrero, Palestrina, or Victoria, all of them agree. In particular, when they compose the BENEDICTUS, they attempt to put the listener into a type of “trance”—repeating the words over and over, weaving them together—which enables contemplation. We released the first part (SANCTUS) last month, and here’s the second part:

REHEARSAL VIDEOS for each individual voice—along with PDF score—await you at #6926. If you like them, please consider donating $5.00 per month.


Sing Alto 1 with the rehearsal video. Do you agree Palestrina tries to convey eternity?

615 DRAGNET WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL, I asked our priest (whose OFM seminary professor had a doctorate in Gregorian chant) for an example of “secular” music introduced after the Council. He immediately cited a piece published by Omer Westendorf. He said, “The KYRIE was based on the Dragnet theme.” Then he sang it for me.

Over the years, I wondered whether Father had been exaggerating—until I found the exact Mass. Dragnet was very popular in those days, especially with the “law and order” movement Richard Nixon adopted.

The YouTube video has places marked SECTION ONE COUNTERSUBJECT, where Palestrina uses the Dragnet theme. 1 But note the difference in treatment. Palestrina “hides and elevates” the dragnet tune. Indeed, when Renaissance composers borrow secular tunes, they usually hide and elevate. That’s why citing Renaissance composers can never justify Missa My Little Pony. 2

One of my students attended the 2016 Liturgy Gathering at the University of Notre Dame. She was troubled when she heard a statement by one of the speakers, Fr. Anthony Ruff:

“I would hope there is a place for the avant-garde in the same way I think there has to be a place—and we have to be careful with this—a place for Jazz and place for Evangelical and all of that. […] On theological grounds, I do think we need interaction with the culture at the level of high art or at the level of more commercial pop culture.”

Somebody should have asked: “Why stop at Jazz? Why not heavy metal? Why not rap? Why not Grunge?” I do love playing Jazz—but not in church. The Catholic Church is pretty horrible at keeping up with cultural fads, and that’s one reason so many are reëvaluating certain liturgical changes from the 1960s.

If that speaker were more in touch with today’s culture, he’d realize Americans get too much “commercial pop culture.” What they almost never hear is music of depth—something formerly called “sophisticated” before that became a dirty word. Indeed, the liturgists who brag about being inclusive are often quite rigid in their exclusivity. They ban 100% of music composed before 1965.



NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1   As we have discussed, the entire Mass is based upon a hymn tune, but this is a countersubject which does not come from the hymn.

2   For the record, after the Council of Trent, many composers stopped using secular tunes.

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

    New Bulletin Article • “14 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 (dated 14 September 2025) discusses OFFERTORY ANTIPHONS and contains a wonderful quote by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • Draft Copy (Pamphlet)
    A few days ago, I posted a draft copy of this 12-page pamphlet with citations about the laity’s “full, conscious, and active participation.” Its basic point or message is that choir directors should never feel embarrassed to teach real choral music because Vatican II explicitly ordered them to do that! We’ve received tons of mail regarding that pamphlet, with many excellent suggestions for improvement. Please feel free to chime in!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Entrance Chant” • 23rd (Ordinary Time)
    This coming Sunday, 7 September 2025, is the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). You can download the “Entrance Chant,” conveniently located at the feasts website. I also recorded a rehearsal video for it (freely available at the same website). The Communion Chant includes gorgeous verses in FAUXBOURDON. I attempted to create a rehearsal video for it, and it’s been posted at the feasts website, called by some: “church music’s best kept secret.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Karl Keating • “Canonization Questions”
    We were sent an internet statement (screenshot) that’s garnered significant attention, in which KARL KEATING (founder of Catholic Answers) speaks about whether canonizations are infallible. Mr. Keating seems unaware that canonizations are—in the final analysis—a theological opinion. They are not infallible, as explained in this 2014 article by a priest (with a doctorate in theology) who worked for multiple popes. Mr. Keating says: “I’m unaware of such claims arising from any quarter until several recent popes disliked by these Traditionalists were canonized, including John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul II. Usually Paul VI receives the most opprobrium.” Mr. Keating is incorrect; e.g. Father John Vianney, several centuries ago, taught clearly that canonizations are not infallible. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen would be another example, although clearly much more recent than Saint John Vianney.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Vatican II Changed Wedding Propers?
    It’s often claimed that the wedding propers were changed after Vatican II. As a matter of fact, that is a false claim. The EDITIO VATICANA propers (Introit: Deus Israel) remained the same after Vatican II. However, a new set of propers (Introit: Ecce Deus) was provided for optional use. The same holds true for the feast of Pope Saint Gregory the Great on 3 September: the 1943 propers (Introit: Si díligis me) were provided for optional use, but the traditional PROPRIA MISSAE (Introit: Sacerdótes Dei) were retained; they weren’t gotten rid of. The Ordo Cantus Missae (1970) makes this crystal clear, as does the Missal itself. There was an effort made in the post-conciliar years to eliminate so-called “Neo-Gregorian” chants, but (contrary to popular belief) most were retained: cf. the feast of Christ the King, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, and so forth.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    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

Random Quote

“The sun, at one moment surrounded with scarlet flame, at another aureoled in yellow and deep purple, seemed to be in an exceedingly swift and whirling movement, at times appearing to be loosened from the sky and to be approaching the earth, strongly radiating heat.”

— ‘Dr. Domingos Pinto Coelho, noted lawyer from Lisbon and chairman of the Bar Association (1917)’

Recent Posts

  • “The Injustice of Traditionis Custodes” • (Private Meetings at the Vatican)
  • New Bulletin Article • “14 September 2025”
  • PDF Download • Croft’s “Canonic Kyrie” (SATB)
  • Karl Keating • “Canonization Questions”
  • “Music List” • 23rd in Ordinary Time (Year C)

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