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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

Archives for April 2021

Veronica Brandt · April 30, 2021

Salve Joseph

Spanish Australian Setting of Salve Joseph

A Latin hymn to St Joseph with a popular tune – a unison chorus with 4 two part verses.

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Jeff Ostrowski · April 29, 2021

“Days Of The Week In Latin” • Feria II, Feria III, Feria IV, Feria V, Feria VI

“Feria Quinta” — which day is that? … Be honest.

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Jeff Ostrowski · April 28, 2021

“Are They Ugly?” • May 1st Propers For Saint Joseph

I fail to see how such a position can be defended…

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Keven Smith · April 28, 2021

Hidden Gem: In Te, Domine, Speravi (Hassler)

This simple canon makes a great “anytime” Offertory motet for developing choirs and experienced ensembles alike.

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Jeff Ostrowski · April 27, 2021

Paul Inwood Attacks Jeff Ostrowski’s Harmonies

Paul Inwood has unwittingly committed a rookie’s error here…

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Fr. David Friel · April 25, 2021

The Greater Litanies & the Meaning of Liturgical Processions

Processing is one way in which we express who we are as wayfarers en route to heaven.

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Veronica Brandt · April 24, 2021

An Interview with Veronica Brandt

How exactly does one get from electrical engineering to writing hymnbooks and making videos on singing Gregorian chant?

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Jeff Ostrowski · April 22, 2021

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 […]

Jeff Ostrowski · April 22, 2021

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 · April 21, 2021

“The Fifteen Best Catholic Hymns” • Wait……

Church musicians: Is this what we’re doing wrong?

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Jeff Ostrowski · April 20, 2021

Do You Know This Easter Hymn?

We did both versions: One is quite popular, the other less so.

Jeff Ostrowski · April 19, 2021

Why does this repeat four times?

Folks, this is pretty cool.

Jeff Ostrowski · April 17, 2021

Not. Just. Catholics.

Talk about whatever subject you desire…except musical “style”—because doing so might get you killed.

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Jeff Ostrowski · April 16, 2021

Did Solesmes Abbey Drink The 1960s Kool-Aid?

…you be the judge…

Jeff Ostrowski · April 15, 2021

Fr. Thomas Reese • “Young People Should Not Be Allowed To Attend” Latin Mass

Currently, 759 people dislike his article, while only 73 support it.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    “Reminder” — Month of November (2025)
    On a daily basis, I speak to people who don’t realize we publish a free newsletter (although they’ve followed our blog for years). We have no endowment, no major donors, no savings, and refuse to run annoying ads. As a result, our mailing list is crucial to our survival. Signing up couldn’t be easier: simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Offertory” at Catholic Funerals
    I have argued that the OFFERTORY—at least in its ancient form—is more of a responsory than an antiphon. The 1962 Missal specifically calls it “Antiphona ad Offertorium.” From now on, I plan to use this beautiful setting (PDF) at funerals, since it cleverly inserts themes from the absolution of the body. Tons more research needs to be done on the OFFERTORY, which often is a ‘patchwork’ stitching together various beginnings and endings of biblical verses. For instance, if you examine the ancient verses for Dómine, vivífica me (30th Sunday in Ordinary Time) you’ll discover this being done in a most perplexing way. Rebecca Maloy published a very expensive book on the OFFERTORY, but it was a disappointment. Indeed, I can’t think of a single valuable insight contained in her book. What a missed opportunity!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “In Paradisum” • Gregorian Chant
    As a RECESSIONAL on All Souls’ Day (November 2nd), we will sing In Paradísum Dedúcant Te Ángeli (PDF). When it comes to Gregorian Chant, this is one of the most popular “songs.” Frankly, all the prayers and chants from the traditional REQUIEM MASS (Missa exsequialis or Missa pro defunctis) are incredibly powerful and never should’ve been scuttled. Click here to hear “In Paradisum” in a recording I made this afternoon. Professor Louis Bouyer spoke of the way Bugnini “scuttled the office of the dead” in this fascinating excerpt from his memoirs. In his book, La riforma litugica (1983), Bugnini bragged—in quite a shameful way—about eliminating the ancient funeral texts, and even admitted those venerable texts were “beloved” (his word) by Catholics.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Gospel Options for 2 November (“All Souls”)
    We’ve been told some bishops are suppressing the TLM because of “unity.” But is unity truly found in the MISSALE RECENS? For instance, on All Souls (2 November), any of these Gospel readings may be chosen, for any reason (or for no reason at all). The same is true of the Propria Missæ and other readings—there are countless options in the ORDINARY FORM. In other words, no matter which OF parish you attend on 2 November, you’ll almost certainly hear different propers and readings, to say nothing of different ‘styles’ of music. Where is the “unity” in all this? Indeed, the Second Vatican Council solemnly declared: “Even in the liturgy, the Church has no wish to impose a rigid uniformity in matters which do not implicate the faith or the good of the whole community.”
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “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

Random Quote

“Iconographic tradition has theologically interpreted the manger and the swaddling cloths in terms of the theology of the Fathers. The child stiffly wrapped in bandages is seen as prefiguring the hour of his death: from the outset, he is the sacrificial victim, as we shall see more closely when we examine the reference to the first-born. The manger, then, was seen as a kind of altar.”

— Pope Benedict XVI (2012)

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