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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 May 2021

Jeff Ostrowski · May 14, 2021

“Easy Polyphonic Agnus Dei” • Part 2 of 3

What is the best way to get your choir singing when they first return? Here are some tips…

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Richard J. Clark · May 14, 2021

Podcast: James Kennerley: Sacred Music in Education, the Church and the World

Maestro Kennerley underscores the myriad salutary benefits of music education for children and that of a community that sings together.

Fr. David Friel · May 13, 2021

The Ascension Depicted in the Rabbula Gospel Book

This is one of the earliest Christian manuscripts to be illuminated with (the oxymoronic) “large miniatures.”

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Jeff Ostrowski · May 12, 2021

Being Too Hard On Priests?

…including a fancy capital “A” from a medieval manuscript.

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Veronica Brandt · May 12, 2021

Updated Litany of St Joseph with Chant

Chanting the Litany of St Joseph with the newly announced invocations.

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Jeff Ostrowski · May 11, 2021

Did Bishop Sheen Favor A Particular Hymnal?

Including a wonderful hymn for the Ascension.

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Jeff Ostrowski · May 10, 2021

Re: “Christ the King Hymnal” (Imprimatur, 1954)

Venerable Pope Pius XII explicitly allowed vernacular hymns during High Mass in 1958.

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Fr. David Friel · May 9, 2021

Virtual Sacred Music Colloquium 2021

Alongside many familiar faces, several new presenters are joining the faculty this year.

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Jeff Ostrowski · May 6, 2021

6 May 2021 • FEEDBACK

A reader from St. Louis, Missouri, wrote to us: “The work you and your team do is quite possibly the most valuable resource I have come across as a younger Sacred music director and organist. The Brébeuf Hymnal is my most used and referenced resource. Although my church has not adopted it yet (I will […]

Jeff Ostrowski · May 6, 2021

Question & Answer Box • “Which Tune Is This?”

Including a live recording of a hymn about a donkey. (Not kidding!)

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Jeff Ostrowski · May 4, 2021

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

There is a “hidden rule” about Roman Catholic Hymnals.

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Keven Smith · May 4, 2021

“Are You God?” On the Impact We Have as Church Musicians

How a small child’s innocent question underscored the significance of what we do as church musicians.

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Jeff Ostrowski · May 3, 2021

“No hymn deserves more to be reintroduced in our catholic tradition.” —Dom Ermin Vitry

A live recording of the Church’s oldest Latin Eucharistic hymn.

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Fr. David Friel · May 2, 2021

Summer Course in the Ward Method

CUA is pleased to announce that this week-long intensive course will be offered in person this summer.

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Jeff Ostrowski · May 2, 2021

Calling All Church Musicians!

Is this normal? (Answer: “yes”)

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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

“The first tasks of the new pope will be to restore normality, restore doctrinal clarity in faith and morals, restore a proper respect for the law and ensure that the first criterion for the nomination of bishops is acceptance of the apostolic tradition. Theological expertise and learning are an advantage, not a hinderance for all bishops and especially archbishops.”

— Cardinal Pell (2022) about the pope who will succeed Francis

Recent Posts

  • “Reminder” — Month of November (2025)
  • “Reader Feedback” • 5 November 2025
  • Never Work For A Priest Or Bishop Who Believes Sacred Music Should Be “Entertainment”
  • When Pilgrims Sing, the World Disappears
  • “Offertory” at Catholic Funerals

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