Views from the Choir Loft

Midnight Mass (4th Sunday of December)

Jeff Ostrowski · December 24, 2017

These musical programs are for FSSP.la, the new FSSP Apostolate in Los Angeles. Bring your family to the High Mass (SAINT VICTOR, 8634 Holloway Dr, West Hollywood, CA 90069) at 7:00pm every Sunday.

In the Extraordinary Form, Midnight Mass begins at Midnight.

PROCESSIONAL

#808 The First Nowell — from the Campion Hymnal

There is no Asperges.

INTROIT • Sometimes the ladies sing this.

PDF Score (Singer) • Practice Audio (Singer)

Accompanied from the “color” markings posted on Saint Goupil, printed with a color printer.

KYRIE ELEISON

We are singing #5294 (KYRIE “Iste Sanctus” by Guerrero)

We may learn a new Kyrie for Christmas.

GLORIA IN EXCELSIS

For Christmas Midnight we will sing: #5612.

GRADUAL & ALLELUIA

Psalm Tone Version

We will pair it with ALLELUIA by Fr. Cristóbal de Morales: #3982.

CREDO IV • Alternatim

For Midnight Mass, we’ll sing this version: #3445. But sometimes we sing in unison.

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON

PDF Score (Singer)

OFFERTORY OTHER

#3792 • “O Magnum Mysterium” (Father Victoria)

SANCTUS & HOSANNA

We will sing Guerrero: #3496 paired with #2999.

AGNUS DEI

We will sing #7554.

Before long we will begin work on a setting by Giovanni Gabrieli.

COMMUNION ANTIPHON

This will be sung by chosen soloists.

COMMUNION OTHER

Singer Score (PDF) with the Organist

RECESSIONAL HYMN • #803 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

From the Campion Hymnal.

The following is taken from the forthcoming Brébeuf Hymnal (used with permission):

90910 The St. Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal

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

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).

PDF • “Music List” (4th Sunday of Advent)

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 21 December 2025, which is the 4th Sunday of Advent (Year A). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The ENTRANCE CHANT is the famous “Roráte Coeli” and the fauxbourdon setting of the COMMUNION is exquisite. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are available at the feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF • Our Lady of Guadalupe (12 Dec.)

The Responsorial Psalm may be downloaded as a PDF file (organist & vocalist) for 12 December, which is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. When it comes to the formulary for this Mass, it’s astounding how infrequently it’s included in official books. Prior to Vatican II, one had to search through “supplemental material” printed in the back of hand-missals and graduals. But since 1970, the feast is virtually nonexistent. According to the UNIVERSAL KALENDAR, 12 December is the “Feast of Saint Jane Frances De Chantal, Religious” (Die 12 decembris: S. Ioannæ Franciscæ de Chantal, religiosæ). Why should that feast overpower Our Lady of Guadalupe? In the United States, OLG is celebrated—and I’d assume in Mexico, Central America, South America, and Canada—but, as I said, the Propria Missae are virtually impossible to locate. I possess only three books which mention this feast.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Simplified Accompaniment (Advent Hymn)

Many organists are forced to simultaneously serve as both CANTOR and ACCOMPANIST. In spite of what some claim, this can be difficult. I invite you to download this simplified organ accompaniment (PDF) which in the Father Brébeuf Hymnal is hymn #661: “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” (for ADVENT). I’m toying with the idea of creating a whole bunch of these, to help amateur organists. The last one I uploaded was downloaded more than 2,900 times in a matter of hours—so there appears to be interest.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • “Santo Santo Santo”

Those searching for a dignified, brief, simple, bright setting of SANCTUS in Spanish (“Santo Santo Santo”) are invited to download this Setting in honor of Saint John Brébeuf (organist & vocalist). I wonder if there would be any interest in me recording a rehearsal video for this piece.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Pope Leo XIV on Sacred Music

On 5 December 2025, Pope Leo XIV made this declaration with regard to liturgical music.

—Corpus Christi Watershed

“Translations Approved for Liturgical Use”

According to the newsletter for USSCB’s Committee on Divine Worship dated September 1996, there are three (3) translations of the Bible which can be used in the sacred liturgy in the United States. You can read this information with your own eyes. It seems the USCCB and also Rome fully approved the so-called NRSV (“New Revised Standard Version”) on 13 November 1991 and 6 April 1992 but this permission was then withdrawn in 1994.

—Corpus Christi Watershed