Views from the Choir Loft

Holy Mass During World War II • (9 April 1944)

Jeff Ostrowski · September 2, 2020

HE HOLY MASS on Easter Sunday “in the field” (9 April 1944). Written on reverse of photograph: “German troops included in American Easter services via loud-speaker! Hostilities ceased for one hour on this front-line sector during services, conducted by American troops and directed across the lines by specifically installed amplifiers. Here, Chaplain Leo J. Crowley says Mass to a group of soldiers who were close enough to leave their fox-holes to attend. (Italy, 9 April 1944)”

It reminds me of our parish at the moment. (Due to California’s Covid-19 regulations, we’re currently celebrating Mass in a huge tent outside the Church.) I’m afraid I don’t have a date for this one:

I don’t have a date for this one either, but notice how the server lifts the Chasuble of the priest for the Consecration of the SANCTISSIMUM:

This is from “The Great War” (photo taken 27 February 1916)—the Holy Mass for Italian troops on the frontlines:

There are many more photographs such as those, and this website is a great place to start.

Also: 01 02 03 04 05

Bonus Question:

Did you notice the guy playing keyboard?

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 Los Angeles.—(Read full biography).

6 May 2021 • FEEDBACK

A reader from St. Louis, Missouri, wrote to us: “The work you and your team do is quite possibly the most valuable resource I have come across as a younger Sacred music director and organist. The Brébeuf Hymnal is my most used and referenced resource. Although my church has not adopted it yet (I will continue to work on that), it is my most prized liturgical resource … truly a work of sacred art and beauty! I have spent the last year consuming articles and purchasing some of the printed resources you put out. Any help for a young music director is fully and warmly welcomed. I believe that building young choirs and inspiring the youth toward sacred music might just be one of the most important tasks set before us.” [Read more feedback.]

—Jeff Ostrowski

22 April 2021 • SATB Plainsong?

In an emergency, we pull out random hymns from the Brébeuf hymnal. The Brébeuf choral supplement has every single verse—every single verse—written out, which makes reading SATB a breeze. Last Sunday, we pulled out an Easter hymn which is a mix between plainsong and metrical hymnody…and I think this live recording came out nicely! Please see whether you agree.

—Jeff Ostrowski

22 April 2021 • ICTUS ALERT

My friends, for the record, this coming Sunday has something which is pretty rare. It is an example of Abbey of Saint-Pierre de Solesmes adding an ictus marking to their previous (1908) version of the Graduale Romanum. You can examine before and after. Do I feel better, having pointing this out? I absolutely do…

—Jeff Ostrowski

Far from dreading an encounter with the Iroquois, Fr. Garnier often told us he would be quite content to fall into their hands and remain their prisoner if—while they were torturing him—he at least had a chance of instructing them as long as his torments lasted. If they allowed him to live, it would afford him a golden opportunity to work for their conversion, which was now impossible, since the gateway to their country was closed as long as they were our enemies.

— Father Ragueneau (Jesuit Relations)