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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

Not. Just. Catholics.

Jeff Ostrowski · April 17, 2021

AVE YOU EVER heard the word triggered ? A subject or concept that instantly makes people furious? I’m not fond that word—because it often escalates friendly conversations into sinful quarreling—but I think it applies to today’s topic. You see, certain souls become instantly “triggered” whenever somebody discusses whether particular musical styles are suitable for the Holy Mass. Over the past ten years, our blog has frequently discussed this question (e.g. 01 and 02). To be completely honest, I’m bored with it, because I’ve come to realize that some people refuse to admit certain musical styles are inappropriate for Mass…and yelling until I’m blue in the face can never change that. As a matter of fact, such people claim that all musical styles are okay for Mass: Rap, Hip Hop, Jazz, Polka, Disco, Country, Reggae, Bluegrass, Broadway—whatever you can think of. Our readers are aware we believe certain musical styles are too secular for the Holy Mass. Our readers also know we believe the Catholic Church is experiencing a liturgical crisis, and the most unthinkable sacrileges (e.g. 01 and 02) occur without any ecclesiastical sanction.

Not Just Catholic Churches :

Roman Catholics are not alone in this situation. I could easily post examples from Protestant sects—Lutheran, Anglican, Presbyterian, Methodist, and so forth—where any concept of “sacred” or “other” seems lost. 1

Here’s an example from the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. (which is not Catholic, although the building looks quite Catholic):

As I’ve said, I could easily post examples from many other Protestant sects.

I just wanted to make it clear these problems are not unique to the Catholic Church.


NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1   Not that I would ever seriously compare the Catholic Church to a Protestant sect, because Jesus Christ founded one Church; our Lord did not found many different churches. But I believe the Church teaches that even Protestant sects can contain elements of truth.

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

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Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Anglican Music, Episcopalian Music Last Updated: April 20, 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 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

“By a decree of the synod of the diocese of Exeter in 1284, no one should claim any seat in a church; but whoever first entered a church for the purpose of devotion, might choose at his pleasure a place for praying.”

— A work by Fr. Husenbeth (d. 1872)

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