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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 • Three Myths About Hymns

Jeff Ostrowski · September 14, 2021

ELOW YOU WILL FIND three common myths about hymns—as well as the correct answers! This is part of a larger project being undertaken by SOPHIA INSTITUTE PRESS which concerns positive steps to restore authentic Catholic music at the parish level. When you read the “answers” below, please let me know whether you discover anything that needs correction. Thank you!

Covid Devastation: We were not allowed to rehearse for 14 months due to Covid-19. Our volunteer choir—in which 80% had no prior musical training—has been trying to make up for lost time. We recently learned this Gospel Acclamation, which can be used in the Ordinary Form or the Extraordinary Form. Here’s a live recording from last Sunday:

The Value of Hymnody: In an effort to get the singers to “hear one another”—and thereby tune harmoniously—we have been learning hymns from the Brébeuf hymnal in SATB. Due to time constraints, we never get to rehearse these hymns properly; but I hope that if we just keep singing them they will improve. On 12 September 2021, we sang an ancient hymn to our lady, since that is traditionally the feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary.

*  PDF Download • HILDERSTONE HYMN
—Latin version of Hymn #396 in the John Brébeuf Hymnal.

Three Myths about Catholic Hymns:

Q. I recently attended a liturgical
conference where the speaker said
hymns don’t belong at Mass…
Read Answer

Q. Is it true that Catholics “stole”
the idea of singing hymns from
Protestant churches?
Read Answer

Q. My Protestant friend says
Catholics are wrong to omit
verses when singing hymns…
Read Answer

Vernacular Hymns During Mass: Since 2013 we have often spoken about the perplexing practice of singing vernacular hymns all through Low Mass: even during the Gospel; even during the Canon; even singing the Lord’s Prayer in English while the priest says it in Latin; even during the Creed; and so forth. In my humble opinion, that’s an absurd way to assist at Mass. On the other hand, this was a common practice in the United States before Vatican II—and we have scanned and uploaded numerous books which prove this beyond all doubt. But just because something happened, that doesn’t make it right. I am someone who believes we must be aware of what went on in the past, even if we don’t agree with it.

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

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Filed Under: Articles, Featured Tagged With: Alleluia Polyphonic Extension, Catholic Composer Cristobal de Morales, Low Mass Vernacular Hymns, Quem Terra Pontus Last Updated: September 14, 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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President’s Corner

    Typo in the “Missale Romanum” (1962)
    The 1962 MISSALE ROMANUM was a transitional missal. It was on its way to becoming the 1970 version, but wasn’t there yet. It eliminated certain duplications, downplayed the Prayers at the Foot of the Altar, expanded the role of laymen, minimized the Last Gospel, made many items optional, and so forth. Father Valentine Young spotted many typos in the 1962 MISSALE ROMANUM, especially incorrect accents. The Offertory Antiphon for this coming Sunday (OF kalendar) contains an error, citing the wrong verse from Psalm 118. It should be 118:107b, not 118:154. If you read verse 154, you’ll understand how that error crept in. [In this particular case, the error pre-dates the 1962 Missal, since the 1940s hand-missal by Father Lasance also gets it wrong.]
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Music List” • 30th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 26 October 2025, which is the 30th 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 top-notch feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Little Encouragement?
    In the Gospel, our Savior tells about 10 lepers who were healed. Only one went back to give thanks. Precious few express gratitude, yet many have endless energy to complain. For that reason, I deeply appreciate receiving messages like the following, which arrived a few days ago (about the parish where I direct in Michigan): “Last Sunday, a couple I knew from Grand Rapids was at Mass at 10:00 a.m. I got a chance to talk to them after Mass. I wanted to let you know what they said about the choir. They were absolutely floored by our sound!!!!! They both said they could continuously listen to our choir and the beauty of it. They asked me: “Do you always sound like that?” And they were also very surprised at how packed the church was. They said it was nice for them to be in such a full church. I just thought you would be interested to know their thoughts about our choir.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “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
    “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

Random Quote

I am convinced that if the Church is to prosper in the present age, it cannot hesitate to embrace and support traditional Catholics, traditional liturgies and traditional moral values. “Do not conform yourself to this age,” St. Paul warned followers of Christ. (Rom 12:2)

— Most Rev. Thomas Tobin, Bishop of Providence (12 August 2022)

Recent Posts

  • Typo in the “Missale Romanum” (1962)
  • “Music List” • 30th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
  • “Our Father” • Musical Setting?
  • Little Encouragement?
  • Children’s Repertoire • Mueller’s Recommendations

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