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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

A Short Piece We’re Singing For Lent

Jeff Ostrowski · March 19, 2019

ANY WILL FIND IT UNFAIR that our parish was chosen—along with others—to sing bits and pieces from the Brébeuf Hymnal “harmony edition” for several years. But what I can affirm is that such testing efforts are absolutely essential for a massive and unprecedented project like the Brébeuf Hymnal. Believe me, nobody is more eager for the harmony edition to become publicly available than I am—and very soon it will appear. When it finally does (within the next few weeks) we will be glad it was given a “trial run” first.

For Lent, we’ve been singing this STABAT MATER:

    * *  PDF • STABAT MATER based on Brébeuf Harmonies

Somebody took out a “pocket recorder” during Mass last Sunday, and sent me the video. The sound quality does not accurately reproduce the glorious sounds we heard:


You can rehearse the individual lines if you scroll down to #480 … but most readers won’t do that, which causes me deep sadness.

85176 Beuron Abbey PEAKING OF DEEP SADNESS, I have experienced some recently…because of my impatience. There is so much that needs to happen, but nothing can move forward until the harmony edition is released. It should be released over the next few weeks, according to the letter posted here. Folks, you have no idea what it takes to publish a book! The proofreading goes on for ages. The entire process is unbelievably complex and labor-intensive.

Once the harmony edition becomes available, we can begin to release instructions for how to properly use the Brébeuf Hymnal. Some have tried to pressure the Institute to release the Brébeuf indices online, but this suggestion has been met with resistance. Certain members feel that releasing the index won’t really give people an idea of this book, because our hymnal is quite unique. I do see their point. I have examined so many hymnal indices online, and it’s usually just the same pieces over and over, with a few modifications. With these other hymnals, I can basically look at the index for 20 seconds and instantly know what’s in the book—but the Brébeuf isn’t like that. Our book is completely unique, utterly sensational, and must be experienced.

Oh, just wait until we start releasing the seasonal guides! (Again, this will be done as soon as the harmony edition is released.) These guides will be of great assistance to those trying to figure out the structure of the Brébeuf Hymnal, which is completely sui generis. The guides for Advent and Lent will be especially marvelous, and Catholic choirmasters will welcome these.

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to sit down with one of the smartest Catholic priests alive. He had purchased a copy of the Brébeuf but wanted to know more. We talked for an hour yet barely scratched the surface, in terms of all the wonderful things about the hymnal. Afterward, the priest said: “I’m so glad you explained all this because I had been puzzled by certain features of this book.” If someone as brilliant as this priest—and he’s literally a genius—was struggling to understand, that means we need to provide a whole lot more materials to explain what this book is all about. And we will do so…after the harmony edition is released.

Just the other day, I was reflecting on how difficult it is to direct a choir. The choirmaster must always be thinking about the future! We must constantly plan ahead: for rehearsal, for the liturgical seasons, for “major” liturgies, and so on. Moreover, what is the level of difficulty for a piece? Does it require organ? What arrangement is best? What key? How can we obtain enough scores? Can it be used for an entire season or just one Mass? Will all the “right” singers be present to make sure it can be done? Will it be in English or Latin? And on and on. And that’s where the Brébeuf comes in: its contents are truly staggering…but it can’t help people if they’re confused!

THE CHALLENGES AND OBSTACLES for those who direct choirs often seem too great to overcome. But there are consolations! One such consolation happened for me the other day. I had finished directing a long and rigorous rehearsal—and once it ended, I went into a room only to discover our choir members could not get enough singing! So they launched into their favorite pieces from memory, and I pulled out my iPhone:


Click here to download the piece in the video—a breathtaking SATB SANCTUS by J.S. Bach.

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 traditions of the elders, your glory throughout long ages, must not be belittled. Indeed, your manner of celebrating the choral office [in Latin] has been one of the chief reasons why these families of yours have lasted so long, and happily increased.”

— Pope Saint Paul VI (15 August 1966)

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