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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

PDF Download • Bishop Donohoe: “I wish you to definitely confront the priest…”

Jeff Ostrowski · September 1, 2021

UNTING FOR PRIESTS—when England became Anglican—was a real thing. Jesuit priests such as Father Edmund Campion, Father Edmund Arrowsmith, and Father Robert Southwell were betrayed, hunted down, tortured, and murdered in those days. I couldn’t help but think of that when I read the following letter: “I wish you to make it a matter of conscience to discover if such a Mass is being celebrated in any hall, house, or wherever within the confines or your parish. If so, I wish you to definitely confront the priest…” This was regarding a form of Mass which, according to Pope Saint Paul VI (19 November 1969), had “the same theological and spiritual import” as the Novus Ordo.

In the past, we have featured so-called Tridentine permission slips from the post-conciliar days. We have been contacted by a person who wishes to remain anonymous—and, incidentally, it was not our dear contributor Keven Smith who lives in Sacramento.

This might make your blood run cold:

*  PDF Download • Tridentine Permission Slip (1976)
—From Bishop Hugh A. Donohoe (d. 1987), at that time the bishop of Fresno.

It would be interesting to learn how Bishop Donohoe responded to Catholics in his diocese who made heretical statements, or who took part in liturgical abuses. And it would very interesting to learn what he did about goofy, disrespectful music played during the Holy Mass.

A Very Sad Comment: Speaking of the Traditional Latin Mass, on Twitter it was recently revealed that Pope Francis said the Catholic priests over the last 700 years—Saint John Vianney, Saint John Bosco, Padre Pio, Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Saint Isaac Jogues, and so forth—were “laughing at God” by using a sacred language for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. This is a very sad comment … and all I can say is: if the Catholic Church survived popes such as Pope Stephen VI, we can survive these present trials. But that is a very sad comment, and I really hope Pope Francis will apologize for what he said about all those holy saints. He should not have made the claim that all those holy saints were “laughing at God” by using a lingua sacra.

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

Filed Under: Articles, PDF Download Tagged With: Traditionis Custodes Motu Proprio, Traditionis Custodes Vernacular, Tridentine Permission Slip Last Updated: September 2, 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

“Today the Church has made a big mistake, turning the clock back 500 years with guitars and popular songs. I don’t like it at all. Gregorian Chant is a vital and important tradition of the Church and to waste this—by having guys mix religious words with profane, Western songs—is hugely grave, hugely grave.”

— Maestro Ennio Morricone (10 Sept 2009)

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