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Corpus Christi Watershed

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

(Live Recording) • “Jesus My Lord, My God, My All”

Jeff Ostrowski · May 4, 2021

HEN YOU PICK UP a book of organ accompaniments for Gregorian Chant, more often then not the composer will begin by apologizing (!) for accompanying Gregorian Chant, loquaciously explaining that Gregorian Chant “really shouldn’t be accompanied.” Yet, the same author has published 300+ pages of Gregorian accompaniments, so he clearly doesn’t believe what he’s saying! 1 Similarly, fin de siècle Catholic hymnals all follow a “hidden rule,” which demands they begin by apologizing for several of the hymns they have printed. To give just one example, Tozer’s Catholic Church Hymnal (1906) contains this supercillious statement: “I have retained several more or less traditional tunes, absolutely valueless and without merit from a musical point of view, but which seem to have become a necessity if a book is to appeal—as I hope this one will—to the varied needs of various churches.”

A less haughty attitude is espoused by Sir Richard Runciman Terry who said that we must not disdain the preferences of the older generation, which grew up with certain hymns. Father Valentine Young used to say: de gustibus non est disputandum!

Here is a hymn which singers absolutely love to sing:

This is #727 the Brébeuf hymnal. It was written by Father Frederick William Faber, Cong. Orat. (d. 1863). Several members of the Brébeuf committee made clear they were not fond of this hymn, which sounded somewhat horse-and-buggy. However, it would be wrong to omit it from any Catholic hymnal because congregations really love singing it. The Brébeuf hymnal has hundreds of magnificent hymns—far more than any other Catholic hymnal—so those who don’t care for this particular song have tons of other choices they can select.


NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1   Sometimes, it’s quite puzzling to see what composers before Vatican II provided accompaniments for. An example would be the “Gloria Laus Et Honor” of Palm Sunday; the NOH provides accompaniments for this—but why? Some believe it was for “rehearsal purposes,” whereas others point out there were certain circumstances where that part of the Palm Sunday procession happened inside the Church instead of at the Church porch. There are many such instances, where composers harmonize things which were never allowed to be accompanied before Vatican II.

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

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Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Frederick William Faber, Jesus My Lord My God My All, Sir Richard Runciman Terry Last Updated: May 5, 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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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    New Bulletin Article • “14 September 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 14 September 2025) discusses OFFERTORY ANTIPHONS and contains a wonderful quote by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • Draft Copy (Pamphlet)
    A few days ago, I posted a draft copy of this 12-page pamphlet with citations about the laity’s “full, conscious, and active participation.” Its basic point or message is that choir directors should never feel embarrassed to teach real choral music because Vatican II explicitly ordered them to do that! We’ve received tons of mail regarding that pamphlet, with many excellent suggestions for improvement. Please feel free to chime in!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Entrance Chant” • 23rd (Ordinary Time)
    This coming Sunday, 7 September 2025, is the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). You can download the “Entrance Chant,” conveniently located at the feasts website. I also recorded a rehearsal video for it (freely available at the same website). The Communion Chant includes gorgeous verses in FAUXBOURDON. I attempted to create a rehearsal video for it, and it’s been posted at the feasts website, called by some: “church music’s best kept secret.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Karl Keating • “Canonization Questions”
    We were sent an internet statement (screenshot) that’s garnered significant attention, in which KARL KEATING (founder of Catholic Answers) speaks about whether canonizations are infallible. Mr. Keating seems unaware that canonizations are—in the final analysis—a theological opinion. They are not infallible, as explained in this 2014 article by a priest (with a doctorate in theology) who worked for multiple popes. Mr. Keating says: “I’m unaware of such claims arising from any quarter until several recent popes disliked by these Traditionalists were canonized, including John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul II. Usually Paul VI receives the most opprobrium.” Mr. Keating is incorrect; e.g. Father John Vianney, several centuries ago, taught clearly that canonizations are not infallible. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen would be another example, although clearly much more recent than Saint John Vianney.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Vatican II Changed Wedding Propers?
    It’s often claimed that the wedding propers were changed after Vatican II. As a matter of fact, that is a false claim. The EDITIO VATICANA propers (Introit: Deus Israel) remained the same after Vatican II. However, a new set of propers (Introit: Ecce Deus) was provided for optional use. The same holds true for the feast of Pope Saint Gregory the Great on 3 September: the 1943 propers (Introit: Si díligis me) were provided for optional use, but the traditional PROPRIA MISSAE (Introit: Sacerdótes Dei) were retained; they weren’t gotten rid of. The Ordo Cantus Missae (1970) makes this crystal clear, as does the Missal itself. There was an effort made in the post-conciliar years to eliminate so-called “Neo-Gregorian” chants, but (contrary to popular belief) most were retained: cf. the feast of Christ the King, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, and so forth.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Solemn “Salve Regina” (Chant)
    How many “S” words can you think of using alliteration? How about Schwann Solemn Salve Score? You can download the SOLEMN SALVE REGINA in Gregorian Chant. The notation follows the official rhythm (EDITIO VATICANA). Canon Jules Van Nuffel, choirmaster of the Cathedral of Saint Rumbold, composed this accompaniment for it (although some feel it isn’t his best work).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“Vatican II did not say anything about the direction of the celebrant. […] I love both directions of celebrating Mass. Both are full of meaning for me. Both help me to encounter Christ—and that is, after all, the purpose of the liturgy.”

— Christoph Cardinal Schönborn (February 2007)

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