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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

Photos! • Brébeuf Choral Supplement Has Arrived

Jeff Ostrowski · January 28, 2020

ODAY I received my copy of the Choral Supplement for the Brébeuf hymnal, which completes the set. (Organ accompaniments and the pew edition were released last year.) The dictionary defines “supplement” as: Something that completes or enhances something else when added to it. Some companies publish a “choir edition” that’s basically a pew edition with harmonies, but the Brébeuf approach is different. This larger book (1,192 pages!) carefully notates every single verse, which is a singer’s dream! As a supplement, it must be used in conjunction with the pew edition. Inclusion of all the pew edition material—literal translations, theological annotations, color plates, composer biographies, and so forth—would have made the Choral Supplement thousands of pages long and too heavy. The Brébeuf series is revolutionary. It was designed by and for priests and musicians serving in real-life parishes across the globe!

*  Purchase the Choral Supplement
—1,192 pages, Hardcover, Smyth-Sewn, 7.44×9.69.

The Choral Supplement must be used in conjunction with the pew edition.

The size of the Choral Supplement compared to similar publications:


The width of the Choral Supplement is spectacular:


It has been shrink-wrapped, to protect such a precious book:


The formatting must have taken years! There’s not an inch of wasted “blank” space. This was done to make the Choral Supplement as lightweight as possible:


Total number of hymns? No other publication even comes close to the Brébeuf hymnal:


It’s remarkable that the Brébeuf Choral Supplement has twice as many pages as the London Oratory Hymn Book, yet the Brébeuf is slightly less heavy:


Each verse in the Choral Supplement has been deliberately and meticulously written out in a brilliant and powerful way!!!  It’s truly astounding no other publication has done this before:

*  PDF Download • TESTIMONIALS
(Read what the experts have to say about this new Catholic hymn book.)

The Brébeuf hymnal was formulated based on the needs of practicing musicians.  Some elements which set the Brébeuf hymnal apart:

• Painstakingly formatted staves, making life easy for the singer;
• Writing out each verse, rather than “stacking” verses;
• “Common melodies” (explanation), which congregations absolutely love;
• Plenty of hymns for each season and feast, including e.g. the Baptism of the Lord;
• Theological and textual annotations;
• Major emphasis on translations by Catholic priests and bishops;
• Total avoidance of unnecessary page turns.

Visit the Brébeuf Website to hear SATB video recordings, download the hymn index, and much more!

Catholics who purchased the Brébeuf pew edition say:

(1) Church musician friends; Buy yourselves a copy of the Saint Brébeuf Hymnal. This is a revolution in Catholic hymnody. I am astounded into silence at the care put into this hymnal—its simplicity, its theological depth, everything. Just buy and swim in the theology!

(2) Hymnal received! You are right to be proud of your work, this is a treasure.

(3) Just wanted to let you know that a friend of mine got a Brébeuf Hymnal and is thrilled with it. She texted me: “I can’t stop looking at the contents”—and she had an emoji of a person happily dancing on a keyboard.

(4) Outstanding! From cover to cover is just phenomenal.

(5) Music at Mass should be an opportunity for worshiping God. May I suggest a movement to get the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal (published 24 December 2018) into your parish? I bought a copy because as a teen I was in five choirs: three constantly, two when they needed the young soprano. I love to sing. I had friends who graduated with degrees in sacred music/church music. I have sung a LOT of amazing church music, and the Catholic Church may be the One True Church but the hymnals…sigh! Sorry I probably sound like a commercial, but this hymnal is the most amazing one I have ever had my hands on, and I have a fair few on my bookshelves. It is designed to be a Catholic hymnal; the texts are theologically fabulous (I have a Masters in Theological Studies and am a Bible loving geek); and this is awesome—like having a catechism in the music! I also have a teaching certification, and this music would help teach the faith to children in a way they will never forget! “Sung learning” is internalized deeply as it is heard, read, and physically sung—so it sticks. This hymnal is full of SINGABLE tunes, many of them very old. The lyrics are translations of traditional songs that go way back—like 4th century—and they are just beautiful. The Latin is there, side by side with a more literal translation for understanding, and it tells you what tunes will fit the Latin. There are also carefully selected English translations—all footnoted so you can do research if you want—but there, and clear, and orthodox, and gorgeous! They limited the total number of tunes used to help a congregation to master the singing, so that they can gradually come to where they no longer have to struggle because the tunes will become familiar! This is better than any of the protestant hymnals. I keep spreading the word: THIS should be the hymnal in every Catholic parish; and just do all the singing from it! Everyone who is capable of singing will WANT to sing these songs.

(6) The Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal is quite unlike any other (allegedly) Catholic hymnal you’ve ever seen. Because it actually is a Catholic hymnal—(so far as I know) no other so-called “Catholic hymnal” that’s currently published consists solely and exclusively of music that’s actually fully and completely Catholic in both origin and expression. Hymns selected from the Church’s wonderful tradition and glorious treasury of sacred music, dating back through the centuries to the time of Ambrose and Augustine. […] And alongside these beautiful Latin hymns are printed—and designated as “Assistance for comprehension”—the best literal English translations of these hymns I’ve ever seen. By these criteria, no other Catholic hymnal of which I’m aware comes close to the new standard set by the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal.

(7) I’m sure many of you are already familiar with this book, but I’ve never encountered such a prolific and astoundingly interesting hymnal, that includes researched and annotated writings as this one. It is just as much a lesson in theology, Christian tradition, the history of sacred hymnody, and inspiring Christian bio-epic of the North American martyrs as it is a hymnal. It could easily stand as a primary text to a course, and is almost overkill as a pew aid. Do yourself a favor…. buy a copy. I just read it for an hour and I’ve barely scratched the surface. I’m hanging on every word.

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

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Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Photographs Brebeuf Hymnal Last Updated: May 26, 2021

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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

    “Music List” • 14 September (Holy Cross)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I prepared for 14 September 2025, which is the Feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross. 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 spectacular feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    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

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

“Been to Catholic church and heard Mass. Execrable music! Organ played by a young girl who made impossible harmonies. Sermon very long. The preacher screamed loud enough to tire his lungs. The congregation was affected.”

— Louis Moreau Gottschalk (8 May 1864)

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