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“What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too…” Pope Benedict XVI (7 July 2007)

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Views from the Choir Loft

PDF Download • Catholic Hymnal by the Bishop of Cleveland, Ohio (84 Pages)

Jeff Ostrowski · March 3, 2020

EFORE ANY WORK at all could begin on the Brébeuf hymnal, the team spent several years amassing an unparalleled collection of old Catholic hymnals. We believed it was essential to know what had been done in the past. Much of what we discovered was of a very low quality—one member of the committee (from another continent) called it “deplorable rubbish”—yet some of what we found was marvelous, and we placed it in the Brébeuf hymnal. Below is “Volume 1” of a collection published by the Bishop of Cleveland, Ohio. If readers find this interesting, I will try to post “Volume 2” as well.

*  PDF Download • Diocesan Hymnal (84 Pages)
—Compiled in 1926 by the Most Rev. Joseph Schrembs, Bishop of Cleveland, Ohio.

Please Note: Just because we are sharing these old hymnals does not mean we endorse the music they contain. The Gregorian accompaniments are strange, even by 1926 standards:

By the way, I wonder when this “Our Father” on page 54 would have been sung. Since it was the 1920s, it was probably sung during Low Mass. Here is a page I find particularly interesting—remember this was 1926!

To download about sixty (60) extremely rare Catholic hymnals we have scanned into PDF, visit the Brébeuf website and scroll down to where it says “Source Material.”

HE OLDER I GET, the more I appreciate how wise it is to (frequently) keep silence. When I was younger, everything was fresh and new. I remember how excited I was to “expose” hypocrisy and errors. Wise mentors would simply look at me and smile; they admired the youthful energy, but human nature was nothing new to them! So they kept silence. These days, I observe such foolishness, cowardice, and hypocrisy. My inclination is to “expose” this nonsense—but it’s usually better to simply ignore it. Something that bothers me deeply is to observe Catholic bloggers and authors constantly claim they want to improve the liturgy—yet when they have an opportunity to help, they won’t lift a finger, because they’re too busy writing their 23rd article on Theodore McCarrick. Would it not be better to focus on positive things?

I believe the Brébeuf hymnal will eventually be recognized for what it is: a desperately needed resource, essential for any Catholic parish serious about the Faith. I use it for all four (4) Masses each Sunday, as well as Solemn Vespers (which we have each Sunday afternoon). The Brébeuf hymnal makes my life so easy! How I wish this resource had been available 20 years ago! Our congregation loves the melodies and texts. The singers literally weep when they sing these melodies, which is quite moving!

The Brébeuf hymnal is like an ever-widening vista; my parish could use this book for the next fifty years, yet barely scratch the surface.

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

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Filed Under: Articles, PDF Download Tagged With: Jean de Brebeuf Hymnal Last Updated: April 5, 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 Los Angeles.—(Read full biography).

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Quick Thoughts

Alabama Assessment!

We received this evaluation of Symposium 2022 from an Alabama participant:

“Oh, how the Symposium echoed the words of Cardinal Merry Del Val: …choosing only what is most conformed to Thy glory, which is my final aim. In one short and fast paced week, the faculty and attendees showed me the hand of God and our Lady working in our lives. The wide range of education—from Gregorian Chant, jazz modes in organ improvisation, to ‘staying sane’ while leading a choir—were certainly first-class knowledge from the best teachers of the art. However, the most powerful lesson was learning how to pray as a choir. The sacrifice of putting songs together, taking time to learn the sacred text, meditating on the church teaching through the chants, and gaining the virtues required to persevere in these duties were not only qualities of a choir but of a saint. The sanctification of the lives of the attendees was a beautiful outcome of this event … and that in itself is worth more than a beautifully-sung Solesmes style chant!”

—Jeff Ostrowski
PDF Download • Trinity Sunday (22 pages)

Feel free to download this Organ Accompaniment Booklet for Trinity Sunday (Second Vespers). Notice how the modes progress by number. Psalm 1 is mode 1; Psalm 2 is mode 2; Psalm 3 is mode 3; Psalm 4 is mode 4; Psalm 5 is mode 5. I am told by an expert that other feasts (such as Corpus Christi) are likewise organized by mode, and it’s called a “numerical office.”

—Jeff Ostrowski
10 June 2022 • “Official” rhythm of plainsong

I continue to search for the most beautiful way to present the “pure” Editio Vaticana scores. (Technically, the “pure” rhythm of the official edition is what everyone is supposed to use.) You can download my latest attempt, which is the Introit for this coming Sunday: Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. Because this is not an ancient feast, the Introit had to be adapted (perhaps around 750AD). Prior Johner says the adaptation is “not an entirely happy one.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

If the homily goes on too long, it will affect two characteristic elements of the liturgical celebration: its balance and its rhythm. The words of the preacher must be measured, so that the Lord, more than his minister, will be the center of attention.

— Pope Francis (11/24/2013)

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