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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

“Rorate Mass” (FSSP) • 12 December 2020

Jeff Ostrowski · December 13, 2020

HOSE WHO examine the Rorate Mass Booklet we normally use here at our FSSP parish in Los Angeles will notice that today—12 December 2020—was a little different. That’s because it was the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The attendance (as always at our parish) was standing room only; and afterwards the children presented roses to the Blessed Virgin Mary as the entire parish prayed the Rosary. Then we consecrated California to Jesus Christ.

Due the restrictions placed on our parish by the Archdiocese and the government, we are only allowed to have Mass in a tent at the present time. Volunteers have constructed a temporary altar.

Dangerous “Catholics” Online

Perhaps you’re familiar with a phenomenon very much in vogue these days: the Click-Bait Theologian. These are exploitative men (usually with scant training in Theology) who pose as “ultra-traditionalist” theologians online. They will do anything—and I mean anything—in their unscrupulous pursuit of ‘clicks’ and ‘likes’ on social media.

One of these mountebanks attacked our parish a few months ago, declaring that “Mass offered under a tent isn’t valid.” But this poor fool doesn’t know what he’s talking about. The Holy Mass is valid offered in a Church, in a prison cell, on a boat, or even in the middle of a field:

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Rorate Mass Last Updated: December 13, 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

“The argument moves from the existence of the thing to the correctness of the thing: what is, ought to be. Or, a popular variant: if a thing is, it doesn’t make any difference whether it ought to be—the correct response is to adjust, to learn to live with the thing.”

— ‘L. Brent Bozell, Jr.’

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