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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

Solemn Mass • Ruins of Saint Mary’s Cathedral (Nagasaki, 1949)

Jeff Ostrowski · November 10, 2020

ERY SOON, December 7th will be here. On that day in 1949, most Rev’d Paul Aijirō Yamaguchi, Archbishop of Nagasaki, celebrated a Solemn Pontifical Mass on the ruins of Saint Mary’s Cathedral in Nagasaki. This was in honor of the 400th anniversary of the arrival of Saint Francis Xavier in Japan and concluded with veneration of the right forearm—the arm he used to conduct blessings and baptisms—of Saint Francis Xavier (inside a reliquary). Father Xavier was a very important Catholic priest whom Father Valentine Young spoke about in one of his sermons.

Nagasaki remained largely devastated by the atomic blast of 1945. Its people were still dying—slowly—from radiation poisoning. Nevertheless, they wanted to honor Saint Francis Xavier, and somebody had a camera:

A different angle shows what is left of the Cathedral:

Here is yet another angle:

More photographs:

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Mass Outside Invalid?

Due to government restrictions, California has been “locked down” since March, and all our Masses are celebrated outside. A few weeks ago, someone on Facebook—who not surprisingly calls himself an ultra-traditionalist Catholic—was promoting the idea that all Masses offered outside are “invalid.” This theologian (self-proclaimed) even mockingly referred to outdoor Masses as “tent revivals.”

It would be good to remind everyone that, objectively speaking, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is of infinite value no matter where it’s offered: in a prison cell, outside under a tent, inside a church, and so forth. Indeed, Views from the Choir Loft for decades has been posting striking photos of the Mass celebrated outside. Saint Charles Garnier frequently offered the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass on a boat while traveling from France to Canada. By the way, Father Garnier died on 7 December 1649AD.

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: 1949 Traditional Latin Mass Ruins Nagasaki, Mass During World War Last Updated: November 18, 2023

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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

    Why A “Fugue” Here?
    I believe I know why this plainsong harmonizer created a tiny fugue as the INTRODUCTION to his accompaniment. Take a look (PDF) and tell me your thoughts about what he did on the feast of the Flight of Our Lord Jesus Christ into Egypt (17 February). And now I must go because “tempus fugit” as they say!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    New Bulletin Article • “12 October 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 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Reminder” — Month of October (2025)
    Those who don’t sign up for our free EMAIL NEWSLETTER miss important notifications. Last week, for example, I sent a message about this job opening for a music director paying $65,000 per year plus benefits (plus weddings & funerals). Notice the job description says: “our vision for sacred music is to move from singing at Mass to truly singing the Mass wherein … especially the propers, ordinaries, and dialogues are given their proper place.” Signing up couldn’t be easier: simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
    The American Catholic Hymnal, with IMPRIMATUR granted (25 April 1991) by the Archdiocese of Chicago, is like a compendium of every horrible idea from the 1980s. Imagine being forced to stand all through Communion (even afterwards) when those self-same ‘enlightened’ liturgists moved the SEQUENCE before the Alleluia to make sure congregations wouldn’t have to stand during it. (Even worse, everything about the SEQUENCE—including its name—means it should follow the Alleluia.) And imagine endlessly repeating “Alleluia” during Holy Communion at every single Mass. It was all part of an effort to convince people that Holy Communion was historically a procession (which it wasn’t).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Fifty years ago, Dr. Theodore Marier made available this clever arrangement (PDF) of “Come down, O love divine” by P. R. Dietterich. The melody was composed in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (d. 1958) and named in honor of of his birthplace: DOWN AMPNEY. The arrangement isn’t a strict canon, but it does remind one of a canon since the pipe organ employs “points of imitation.” The melody and text are #709 in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Did they simplify these hymn harmonies?
    Choirs love to sing the famous & splendid tune called “INNSBRUCK.” Looking through a (Roman Catholic) German hymnal printed in 1952, I discovered what appears to be a simplified version of that hymn. In other words, their harmonization is much less complex than the version found in the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal (which is suitable for singing by SATB choir). Please download their 1952 harmonization (PDF) and let me know your thoughts. I really like the groovy Germanic INTRODUCTION they added.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

By far, the event that caused the biggest increase in requests for indults from the morning Mass requirement was the Second World War. The unusual requirements of providing Mass during wartime led to some unique legislation accommodating the time of Mass. Already in 1940, Pope Pius XII issued a motu proprio addressing the situation of holding Mass in countries where a “Black-out” had been ordered.

— Father Shawn P. Tunink

Recent Posts

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  • “Puzzling Comment” • By A Respected FSSP Priest
  • New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
  • “Reminder” — Month of October (2025)

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