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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

Attack on “Female Organists” • (Not Kidding)

Jeff Ostrowski · June 17, 2021

HOSE WHO HAVE HEARD recordings of the Texas Boys Choir as directed by George Bragg in the 1970s (or the Vienna Boys Choir, or the London Oratory Schola, or similar groups) already know boys’ choirs can produce a splendid sound. At the same time, I’ve had the pleasure of conducting of choirs consisting of young women—and I would put those gorgeous voices up against any choir; period. In terms of whether women’s choirs are inferior to boys’ choirs: certainly not! That’s an old wives’ tale (pardon the pun). A boys’ choir has a particular sound, and so does a women’s choir. Competent conductors know the value of each. For serious musicians, “different” doesn’t necessarily mean “better.”

Confusing Controversy: A fascinating controversy raged for many decades after Pope Pius X issued Tra le sollecitudini in 1903. Confusion reigned regarding whether women were allowed to sing during High Mass…and hundreds of articles were published. One article was written by a bishop claiming to have spoken personally to Pope Pius X, who supposedly confirmed women could sing in choirs if insufficient boys were available. Others—such as Father Carlo Rossini—violently disagreed that women could sing in choirs. The controversy raged until Pope Pius XII officially permitted female singers in §74 of “Musicæ Sacræ” (25 December 1955), a decision confirmed again in 1958. The 1955 decision, which ended the controversy, was sometimes called “The Choirmaster Christmas Present,” since it was issued on 25 December.

Proof: In 1938, Bishop Henry J. Althoff of Belleville (Illinois) gave an excellent example of what I’m talking about. Was the most serious problem in those days nuns playing the organ? Here’s what Bishop Althoff declared:

Preposterous Proposal: In September 1906—that is to say, eight years before the outbreak of World War I—someone using the fake name of “Wigornia” published an article promoting ideas I consider cockamamie. Essentially, WIGORNIA was saying females could never sing in the choir, but it would be praiseworthy for them to spend a lifetime studying music so that they could teach boys how to sing in the choir. Again, I find such an idea bonkers:

Our Ladies Sing Vespers: What’s interesting is that the article by WIGORNIA explicitly allowed women to sing the “psalms and hymns” at Vespers—which is what we do here in Los Angeles. The women alternate with the men…and it’s the most glorious thing you’ll ever hear! This is very traditional; singing Vespers by lay Catholics existed right up until the Second Vatican Council.

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

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Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Pius X Banned Women Singers, Pius X Girl Singers, Pope Pius X Female Singers, Pope Pius X Forbid Women, Tra le sollecitudini, Women Singing In Choirs Last Updated: March 19, 2024

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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 • “21 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 21 September 2025) discusses some theological items—supported by certain verses in ancient Catholic hymns—and ends by explaining why certain folks become delirious with jealousy when they observe feats by Monsignor Ronald Knox.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Cheap! Cheap! Cheap!
    It’s always amusing to see old diocesan newspapers—in huge capital letters—advertising the Cheapest Catholic Paper in the United States. The correspondent who sent this to me added: “I can think of certain composers, published by large companies in our own day, who could truthfully brag about the most tawdry compositions in the world!” I wonder what she could have meant by such a cryptic comment…
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • Dom Murray Harmonies
    Along with so many others, I have deep respect for Dom Gregory Gregory Murray, who produced this clever harmonization (PDF) of “O SANCTISSIMA.” It’s always amazed me that Dom Gregory—a truly inspired composer—was so confused when it came to GREGORIAN CHANT. Throughout his life, he published contradictory statements, veering back-and-forth like a weather vane. Toward the end of his life, he declared: “I see clearly that the need for reform in liturgical music arose, not in the 18th and 19th centuries, but a thousand years earlier—in the 8th and 9th centuries, or even before that. The abuses began, not with Mozart and Haydn, but with those over-enthusiastic medieval musicians who developed the elaborate and flamboyant Gregorian Chant.”
    —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

“Pope Francis breaks Catholic traditions whenever he wants because he is free from disordered attachments. Our Church has indeed entered a new phase: with the advent of this first Jesuit pope, it is openly ruled by an individual rather than by the authority of Scripture alone or even its own dictates of tradition plus Scripture.”

— Fr. Thomas Rosica (31 July 2018)

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