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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

They Did Something Bad & Inexplicable • (Documentation Included)

Jeff Ostrowski · June 4, 2021

OLY MOTHER CHURCH is no stranger to crises; she has seen many throughout her 2,000 history. But this doesn’t matter so long as we stay faithful to JESUS CHRIST and reach Heaven when we die (even if we have to spend some time in Purgatory first). Personally, I believe many of the liturgical “reforms”—especially during in the 1960s and 1970s—were symptomatic of the crisis from which we still suffer. Nobody will try to defend these reforms; the only answer we’re given is silence and apathy. 1

We have already documented a spine-chilling discovery by Father Valentine Young (d. 2020):

*  Glaring Omission from Post-Vatican II Lectionary

Quick Summary: To summarize, Father Valentine discovered that the Bible passage regarding unworthy reception of Holy Communion was deleted from the Ordinary Form Lectionary—whereas before the Second Vatican Council it was always read on Holy Thursday. Father Valentine wrote a letter to the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments (or whatever nomenclature was used) back in the 1980s, but they weren’t able to explain why it was deleted.

Another Discovery: It turns out that the Communion Antiphon in the “Extraordinary Form” for the feast of Corpus Christi also warned Catholics never to receive the Holy Eucharist unworthily. If you don’t believe me, you can see for yourself. Before Vatican II, the feast of Corpus Christi was celebrated on Thursday, and still is in the Extraordinary Form. It can also be celebrated on Sunday, as an “external solemnity.” 2

They Deleted It Again! If you look at post-conciliar Lectionary, you will see that, once again, “reformers” eliminated any scriptural passage that might warn Catholics against receiving the Holy Eucharist unworthily. They deleted the traditional Communion Antiphon and substituted others which do not warn against receiving the Holy Eucharist unworthily:

*  PDF Download • COMPARISON CHART (Proof)
—This shows that somebody really hated I Corinthians 11:27-29.

A Technicality: Technically, a Catholic could still hear a warning about receiving Holy Communion unworthily if the full Sequence is read. But there are two problems: (1) Most OF parishes use the “short form” of that Sequence, which deletes 85%, so they would not hear the warning after all; (2) The translation for that Sequence in the OF Lectionary is one of the most deplorable, horrific, bowdlerized translations ever perpetrated. You can see how the Ordinary Form Sequence appears in Latin by clicking here—but notice the “short form” practically deletes the entire thing!

On My Hands And Knees: I cannot think of a text which is more beautiful than the LAUDA SION Sequence by Saint Thomas Aquinas. I beg you on my hands and knees to read verses 12-20:

*  PDF • “LAUDA SION SALVATOREM” (Vocalist)
—With a literal English translation.

A rehearsal video and nine (9) different organ accompaniments for the LAUDA SION are provided at this link free of charge.


NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1   I’m not aware of any serious scholar willing to defend the liturgical changes made after the Second Vatican Council, which were done quite haphazardly. A very close friend of Pope Paul VI, Father Louis Bouyer, begged Pope Paul VI at an absolute minimum to see to it that somebody record the votes being taken by the CONSILIUM—but that did not happen. Another person who gives testimony was Ferdinand Cardinal Antonelli, who wrote: “The Consilium is merely an assembly of people, many of them incompetent, and others well advanced on the road to novelty. The discussions are extremely hurried. Discussions are based on impressions and the voting is chaotic. […] Many of those who have influenced the reform […] have no love, and no veneration of that which has been handed down to us. They begin by despising everything that is actually there.” It would be difficult to find a more knowledgeable person than Cardinal Antonelli, since he was Secretary of the CONSILIUM.

2   By the way, someone has provided interesting information regarding the concept of “external solemnities.” If that’s true, I never knew that!

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

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Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Annibale Bugnini Reform, Cardinal Ferdinando Giuseppe Antonelli OFM, Feast of Corpus Christi, Glaring Omission Vatican II Lectionary, Lauda Sion Salvatorem, Louis Bouyer Oratorian Priest, Novus Ordo Lectionary Last Updated: October 10, 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

    Liturgical Round (“Canon”) in C-Major
    Those who direct children’s choirs are always on the lookout for repertoire that’s dignified, inspired, and pleasing—yet still within reach of young choristers. Such directors will want to investigate this haunting liturgical round (PDF download) which has been married to the KYRIE from Mass VI (EDITIO VATICANA). I have provided an accompaniment, but it’s only for use during rehearsal; i.e. when teaching this round to your choristers. I also provided an organ accompaniment for the KYRIE—which some know by its trope (Kyrie Rex Genitor)—so that your congregation can take part when this round is used as a choral extension during Mass.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Latin Liturgy Association
    We note with pleasure that Mrs. Regina Morris, president of the Latin Liturgy Association, has featured—on page 4 of Volume CXXIX of their official newsletter—the three (3) terrific versions of the Stations of the Cross found in the Brébeuf Hymnal. One of the main authors for the blog of the Church Music Association of America said (6/10/2019) about this pew book: “It is such a fantastic hymnal that it deserves to be in the pews of every Catholic church.”
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Music List” • 28th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 12 October 2025, which is the 28th 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 dazzling feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    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
    “Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Fifty years ago, Dr. Theodore Marier made available this clever arrangement (PDF) of “Come down, O love divine” by P. R. Dietterich. The melody was composed in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (d. 1958) and named in honor of of his birthplace: DOWN AMPNEY. The arrangement isn’t a strict canon, but it does remind one of a canon since the pipe organ employs “points of imitation.” The melody and text are #709 in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

Saint Phillip Neri founded a religious congregation called the Oratory. Animuccia was involved from early on and remained “maestro di capella” of the Oratory until his death. The Oratory was able to attract many musicians who volunteered their services, including the famous singer Francesco Soto de Langa from the Capella Sistina, the composer Palestrina, and probably the composer Tomás Luis de Victoria who lived in the same house as St. Phillip Neri for five years.

— Source Unknown

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