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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

Never Released Before! • Unique Version of “O Sacred Head Surrounded” (SATB)

Jeff Ostrowski · March 25, 2021

OW DO YOU get your point across? I’m talking about when you really really really want to get your point across? Teachers are always looking for different ways to get the point across to students. (By the way, if you’re a choirmaster, you’re ipso facto a teacher.) I wish I knew a method that would allow me to get a message to every reader regarding the rehearsal videos available for free. If people only knew about these resources, I think they’d be thrilled. I can’t believe nobody else has done this before now!

We are at it again (with my friends Andrea and Elizabeth) recording Hymn #441 from the Brébeuf hymnal:

Rehearsal videos for each individual voice await you at #441.

O Caput Cruentatum

Please download this special SATB version of “O Caput Cruentatum,” which includes—for the very first time—an English translation:

*  PDF Download • “O Caput Cruentatum” (SATB)
—SATB harmonies, with English Translation courtesy of the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal.

That particular text—not identical to “Salve Caput Cruentatum” as found in the Brébeuf hymnal—is quite mysterious, and even Mr. John Julian doesn’t know its provenance. Andrew Hinkley, a very generous person, has provided a Plainchant Version if you don’t have resources to sing SATB. On 17 February 2021, which seems like just yesterday to be honest, we discussed that Cantus Gregorianus version along with another Lenten hymn called “Jam Christe Sol Justitiæ.”

A Truly Useful Book

One of the cool things about the Brébeuf hymnal happens at the bottom of each page. Reference numbers are given for “last verses.” That means special harmonizations written by organists such as Noel Rawsthorne. These are wonderful to help choirmasters discover interesting ways to harmonize hymn tunes.

Just how ancient are the hymns in the Brébeuf hymnal? Well, the short answer is: about 1,5000 years! Many of these Roman Catholic hymns are also contained in a special “Anglo-Saxon Hymnal” created around 1050AD. This book provides the Latin version, but also translates the hymns into Anglo-Saxon. Here is an example of #526 from the Brébeuf Hymnal:

Eleanor Parker was the one who brought that 11th-century Anglo-Saxon Hymnal to my attention.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: The Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal is a truly Catholic hymnal which contains fabulous tunes, marvelous texts, and beautiful Roman Catholic Theology. Just the other day, we spoke of “Ex More Docti Mystico,” which is featured in the Brébeuf hymnal. Here’s how that hymn appeared in the book from 1050AD:

Page 921 in the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal talks about when the feast of the Annunciation (25 March) coincides with Good Friday, and I strongly recommend everyone read about that today. Today is the feast of the Annunciation.

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: Jam Christe Sol Justitiae, Jean de Brebeuf Hymnal, O Caput Cruentatum, O Sacred Head, O Sol Salutis Intimis, Sacred Head Surrounded, Salve caput cruentatum Last Updated: June 6, 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

    Typo in the “Missale Romanum” (1962)
    The 1962 MISSALE ROMANUM was a transitional missal. It was on its way to becoming the 1970 version, but wasn’t there yet. It eliminated certain duplications, downplayed the Prayers at the Foot of the Altar, expanded the role of laymen, minimized the Last Gospel, made many items optional, and so forth. Father Valentine Young spotted many typos in the 1962 MISSALE ROMANUM, especially incorrect accents. The Offertory Antiphon for this coming Sunday (OF kalendar) contains an error, citing the wrong verse from Psalm 118. It should be 118:107b, not 118:154. If you read verse 154, you’ll understand how that error crept in. [In this particular case, the error pre-dates the 1962 Missal, since the 1940s hand-missal by Father Lasance also gets it wrong.]
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Music List” • 30th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 26 October 2025, which is the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). 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 top-notch feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Little Encouragement?
    In the Gospel, our Savior tells about 10 lepers who were healed. Only one went back to give thanks. Precious few express gratitude, yet many have endless energy to complain. For that reason, I deeply appreciate receiving messages like the following, which arrived a few days ago (about the parish where I direct in Michigan): “Last Sunday, a couple I knew from Grand Rapids was at Mass at 10:00 a.m. I got a chance to talk to them after Mass. I wanted to let you know what they said about the choir. They were absolutely floored by our sound!!!!! They both said they could continuously listen to our choir and the beauty of it. They asked me: “Do you always sound like that?” And they were also very surprised at how packed the church was. They said it was nice for them to be in such a full church. I just thought you would be interested to know their thoughts about our choir.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “Our Father” • Musical Setting?
    Looking through a Roman Catholic Hymnal published in 1859 by Father Guido Maria Dreves (d. 1909), I stumbled upon this very beautiful tune (PDF file). I feel it would be absolutely perfect to set the “Our Father” in German to music. Thoughts?
    —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
    “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

Random Quote

“The production of this book was too far advanced for notice to be taken of the new translation of the Hebrew psalter into Latin by the professor of the Biblical Institute at Rome. The Holy Father’s permission to use it in the divine office when properly adapted for the purpose will prove a welcome boon.”

— Father Cuthbert Lattey (15 Nov. 1944)

Recent Posts

  • A Practical Method of Projecting Solfege for Chant
  • PDF Downloads • Four (4) Simple Pieces in Harmony for Men’s Choirs
  • Typo in the “Missale Romanum” (1962)
  • “Music List” • 30th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
  • “Our Father” • Musical Setting?

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