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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

Church Music Dubia Remain Unanswered

Jeff Ostrowski · September 29, 2017

Y PARENTS raised us to behave in a certain way. We were taught to treat others with respect, use our time wisely, place God before anything else, and never be dishonest. My mother grew up in extreme poverty, causing a special sensitivity for the poor. She would personally drive mothers in desperate situations to the supermarket and let them buy 5-6 bags of groceries—and then she would pay the bill. Along with her on such errands would come all five children (including me). Both my parents had zero tolerance for laziness or disrespectful behavior.

Today’s world strikes me as a completely different place: a real clown show! Even things everyone used to agree on, such as standing during the National Anthem, are out the window.

Many people, even those who self-identify as “traditional” Catholics, sit on Twitter and hurl childish insults in a most disgusting and reprehensible manner. Decent people these days seem few and far between.

Perhaps this is why the “Church Dubia” remain unanswered. We’ve stated the Dubia over and over on this blog, as our readers know (e.g. 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08) and I won’t be going through all that again.

ONE OF THE MAJOR QUESTIONS in the “Church Dubia” is as follows:

What styles of music should be forbidden at Mass?

For fifty years, progressive liturgists have insisted that all styles of music are “equally suitable” for use during Holy Mass. But sensible people realize different styles of music do different things. For example, it’s hard to imagine anything more repugnant than WWF wrestling. But if you look on YouTube, the music they choose is perfectly suited to that trashy “sport.”

Consider the following (which is not church music, but still very nice):

    * *  Mp3 Audio • Excerpts from Gladiator Movie

Can there be any doubt that different styles of music evoke different feelings?

I fear that a serious discussion regarding which styles of music are appropriate for the Holy Mass will not commence until a generation arrives that can process a statement longer than 140 characters. I hope I am wrong.

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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President’s Corner

    ‘German’ Introductions for Hymns
    German organ books have an enchanting habit of including introductions for each and every hymn. For example, consider this snazzy example found in a German hymnal published in 1902. In the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal, that melody is called “Laudes Mariae” and was married to Omni Die Dic Mariae, with a popular English translation (“Daily, daily, sing to Mary”) by Father Henry Bittleston, an Oratorian priest.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Buckfast Abbey Weighs In
    Dom John Stéphan was a Benedictine monk of Buckfast Abbey in South Devon, England. On 4 February 1933, he published this interesting letter in THE TABLET. Have you seen the exterior of Buckfast Abbey? It’s beyond gorgeous. I doubt there’s a more arresting Abbey in the entire world. Dom Stéphan’s letter is concerning this momentous collection, which our organization obtained, scanned, and uploaded.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Responsorial Psalm Fauxbourdon?
    When it comes to singing Responsorial Psalms in Fauxbourdon, what does this sound like in practice? Can such a thing be done successfully with volunteer choirs in real Catholic parishes? Listen to this audio excerpt from Good Friday and see what you think. Our parish volunteer choir did so well this year—and the ceremonies were ‘standing room only’. For the record, that musical score can be downloaded (completely free of charge) from the flourishing feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    PDF • “Liturgical Law” (467 Pages)
    On Good Friday during the middle ages, the pope privately recited THE ENTIRE PSALTER. If you don’t believe me, see for yourself by reading this passage by Dom Charles Augustine Bachofen (d. 1943). His famous book—called “Liturgical Law: A Handbook Of The Roman Liturgy”—was published by the Benjamin Herder Book Company, which was the American arm (operating out of St. Louis, Missouri) of one of the world’s most significant Catholic publishers. Dom Charles Augustine Bachofen was born in Switzerland but spent his career between the Benedictine monasteries at Conception (Missouri) and Mount Angel (Oregon). His 1931 masterpiece, Liturgical Law can be downloaded as a PDF file … 467 pages!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Gregorian Chant Quiz” • 24 March 2026
    How well do you know your Gregorian hymns? Do you recognize the tune inserted into the bass line on this score? For many years, we sang the entire Mass in Gregorian chant—and I mean everything. As a result, it would be difficult to find a Gregorian hymn I don’t recognize instantly. Only decades later did I realize (with sadness) that this skill cannot be ‘monetized’… This particular melody is used for a very famous Gregorian hymn, printed in the LIBER USUALIS. Do you recognize it? Send me an email with the correct words, and I promise to tell everybody I meet about your prowess!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Ubi Caritas” (SATB)
    I remember singing “Ubi Cáritas” by Maurice Duruflé at the conservatory. I was deeply moved by it. However, some feel Duruflé’s version isn’t suitable for small choirs since it’s written for 6 voices and the bass tessitura is quite low. That’s why I was absolutely thrilled to discover this “Ubi cáritas” (SATB) for smaller choirs by Énemond Moreau, who studied with OSCAR DEPUYDT (d. 1925), an orphan who became a towering figure of Catholic music. Depuydt’s students include: Flor Peeters (d. 1986); Monsignor Jules Van Nuffel (d. 1953); Arthur Meulemans (d. 1966); Monsignor Jules Vyverman (d. 1989); and Gustaaf Nees (d. 1965). Rehearsal videos for each individual voice await you at #19705. When I came across the astonishing English translation for “Ubi Cáritas” by Monsignor Ronald Knox—matching the Latin’s meter—I decided to add those lyrics as an option (for churches which have banned Latin). My wife and I made this recording to give you some idea how it sounds.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“Dom Pothier does not belong to the dim past, as the silence which surrounds his name would lead one to believe. Only a few years separate us from the time when—growing old and heavily burdened by trials—Dom Pothier was concentrating his ever keen attention on the study of manuscripts in the Belgian place of retreat where his community had found refuge. For he was the abbot; and there can be no doubt that the cross he wore during those days was a cross of sorrow, though he bore it with a smile.”

— Dom Ermin Vitry, OSB (31-OCT-1936)

Recent Posts

  • ‘German’ Introductions for Hymns
  • Fascinating Interpretation of the “Regina Caeli” (Solemn Tone)
  • PDF Download • “Sprinkling Rite” + Psalm Verses
  • Buckfast Abbey Weighs In
  • PDF Download • “Catholic Hymnal & Service Book” (632 Pages)

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