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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

Best Mystery Movie Of All Time!

Jeff Ostrowski · January 5, 2017

|{Scroll down, and you’ll see my article does relate to the topic of sacred music.}

F YOU HAVEN’T seen “The White Knight Stratagem,” please promise me you’ll carve out an hour from your schedule, wait until it’s raining outside, and watch it attentively in front of your fireplace. For the rest of your life, you’ll thank me; this is an incredible mystery movie. The plot and actors are phenomenal, and there’s very little objectionable. 1 Those of us who have been involved with filmography will rejoice in the careful angles, which assist in telling the tale. The movie (fictional) is about Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who (in real life) wrote Sherlock Holmes. Some may not realize Doyle (in real life) used his “investigative method” to prove the innocence of men imprisoned for crimes they didn’t commit.

HOW DOES THIS MOVIE relate to sacred music? Let me explain. I’ve noticed something about “progressive” liturgists: they are embarrassed about their musical choices. On the contrary, promoters of authentic sacred music are always bubbling over with joy. They can’t stop singing the praises (pardon the pun!) of church compositions by true masters. I believe “progressive” liturgists realize deep down—in spite of what they say publicly—they’re promoting extremely poor quality music. They realize serious Catholics looking for authentic liturgical music will never come to them. 2

Years ago, my family eliminated cable TV, because 99% of television is garbage. But every so often, we stumble upon true excellence—and “The White Knight Stratagem” is an example.

The producers of “White Stratagem” may have been tempted to throw up their hands, in the face of such unspeakable garbage shown on television; I’m glad they didn’t.

We also might be tempted to give up, when we see how many parishes have replaced authentic sacred music with horrific “lowest common denominator” music. We must not.



NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1   Somebody does get shot, but they don’t show anything too disturbing. The Lord’s Name is misused a few times, but Catholics can tolerate this as we do when watching A Man For All Seasons, which is also a truly remarkable film.

2   Those of us who went to conservatories will never forget the derision poured on the Catholic church by secular professors, who exclaimed: “You Catholics had the absolute greatest music, and look what you traded it for!” Indeed, many musicians desiring to employ Roman Catholic music now work for Protestant churches in order to do so—which is very sad.

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

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 12, 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

    Liturgical Round (“Canon”) in C-Major
    Those who direct children’s choirs are always on the lookout for repertoire that’s dignified, inspired, and pleasing—yet still within reach of young choristers. Such directors will want to investigate this haunting liturgical round (PDF download) which has been married to the KYRIE from Mass VI (EDITIO VATICANA). I have provided an accompaniment, but it’s only for use during rehearsal; i.e. when teaching this round to your choristers. I also provided an organ accompaniment for the KYRIE—which some know by its trope (Kyrie Rex Genitor)—so that your congregation can take part when this round is used as a choral extension during Mass.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Latin Liturgy Association
    We note with pleasure that Mrs. Regina Morris, president of the Latin Liturgy Association, has featured—on page 4 of Volume CXXIX of their official newsletter—the three (3) terrific versions of the Stations of the Cross found in the Brébeuf Hymnal. One of the main authors for the blog of the Church Music Association of America said (6/10/2019) about this pew book: “It is such a fantastic hymnal that it deserves to be in the pews of every Catholic church.”
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Music List” • 28th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 12 October 2025, which is the 28th 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 dazzling feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    New Bulletin Article • “12 October 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 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
    The American Catholic Hymnal, with IMPRIMATUR granted (25 April 1991) by the Archdiocese of Chicago, is like a compendium of every horrible idea from the 1980s. Imagine being forced to stand all through Communion (even afterwards) when those self-same ‘enlightened’ liturgists moved the SEQUENCE before the Alleluia to make sure congregations wouldn’t have to stand during it. (Even worse, everything about the SEQUENCE—including its name—means it should follow the Alleluia.) And imagine endlessly repeating “Alleluia” during Holy Communion at every single Mass. It was all part of an effort to convince people that Holy Communion was historically a procession (which it wasn’t).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Fifty years ago, Dr. Theodore Marier made available this clever arrangement (PDF) of “Come down, O love divine” by P. R. Dietterich. The melody was composed in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (d. 1958) and named in honor of of his birthplace: DOWN AMPNEY. The arrangement isn’t a strict canon, but it does remind one of a canon since the pipe organ employs “points of imitation.” The melody and text are #709 in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“One must pray to God not only with theologically precise formulas, but also in a beautiful and dignified way. The Christian community must make an examination of conscience so that the beauty of music and song will return increasingly to the liturgy.”

— Pope Saint John Paul II (26 February 2003)

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  • PDF Download • Liturgical Round (“Canon”) for your Children’s Choir
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  • Important Quote by a Church Musician

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