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Views from the Choir Loft

Cardinal Cupich’s Diocese • “What Mass Looks Like”

Jeff Ostrowski · February 24, 2022

LASE CARDINAL CUPICH has spent an inordinate amount of time trying to combat the Missale Vetustum in his diocese, in spite what Pope Saint Paul II said about “legitimate aspirations,” and in spite of the special decree issued by Pope Francis on 11 February 2022. And yet, numerous videos have come to light documenting horrifying “Ordinary Form” liturgical abuses in his archdiocese. Why does Cardinal Cupich exert so much energy attacking something highly praised by Pope Saint John XXIII, yet virtually no energy disciplining the priests who—on his watch—flagrantly mock our Redeemer? I’m not going to post all the videos showing liturgical abuses in Cardinal Cupich’s archdiocese, but here is one recent example:

Serious Temptation: Moral Theologians teach that the “primary cross” for young men is avoidance of sins against the holy virtue of purity. The vast majority of television shows, internet ads, and billboards—to say nothing of the provocative ways American women dress—provide serious temptations to Christian men attempting virtuous lives. Once a Christian enters the holy Sacrament of Matrimony, temptations against purity become less severe (Quod si non se continent, nubant. Melius est enim nubere, quam uri.) but they are not eliminated completely. Indeed, the basic temptations experienced by young men will never vanish … even on one’s death bed!

[The situation is different for most women.]

Another Temptation: When it comes to certain internet voices—who self-identify as “ultra-traditionalist”—we observe a different type of temptation, which might be called scandal pornography. I’m talking about certain Catholics who consider themselves smarter and holier than everyone else. Whenever they become aware of a scandalous liturgical video, they immediately post about it—but instead of being sad, they say “tee hee hee” and post sarcastic remarks. This is sinful behavior. When we observe liturgical abuses, we should feel sad. Moreover (according to Saint John Mary Vianney) we should do penance for those involved … but how many of us are willing to do that?

It is important for us
to be aware of scandals
in our Church;
but we should not
rejoice over them.

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Archbishop Blase J Cupich, Priest Blesses With Guitar, Traditionis Custodes Motu Proprio Last Updated: February 24, 2022

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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 Los Angeles.—(Read full biography).

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Quick Thoughts

23 May 2022 • FEEDBACK

From a reader: “I wasn’t looking for it. But, I stumbled across your hand-dandy arrangement of Pachelbel’s Canon. Jeff, this is the greatest thing since sliced bread! I had to play a wedding on Saturday. The bride requested the Canon. There were 11 bridesmaids! The organ loft is a football field away from the communion rail. It’s so difficult to play and keep checking the mirror. Your arrangement is absolutely genius. One can skip and choose which variations to use. The chord names are handy so that when my eyes are off the music, I always know where I am at. A thousand times thank you for sharing this arrangement!”

—Jeff Ostrowski
19 May 2022 • “Trochee Trouble”

I’m still trying to decide how to visually present the “pure” Editio Vaticana scores, using what is (technically) the official rhythm of the Church. You can download my latest attempt, for this coming Sunday. Notice the “trochee trouble” as well as the old issue of neumes before the quilisma.

—Jeff Ostrowski
16 May 2022 • Harmonized Chant?

This year’s upcoming Sacred Music Symposium will demonstrate several ways to sing the CREDO at Mass. This is because—for many parishes—to sing a full-length polyphonic CREDO by Victoria or Palestrina is out of the question. Therefore, we show options that are halfway between plainsong and polyphony. You can hear my choir rehearsing a section that sounds like harmonized plainsong.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“Ways to receive Our Lord as King of the Universe…read and reflect on the Sunday Scriptures, plan your whole weekend around receiving your King, wear your best garments, spend time in quiet, kneel to receive Him, receive Him on the tongue, offer silent time of thanks after mass.”

— Most Rev. Bishop Strickland (15 December)

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