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Views from the Choir Loft

“Hymn To Saint Joseph” • (Rec. 4/2/2022)

Jeff Ostrowski · April 2, 2022

ERE IT NOT for the “shared tunes” in the Brébeuf hymnal, I would have most likely died from a heart attack by now. I don’t need to explain to our readers the enormous difficulties of our vocation. As Father Skeris used to say: “The life of a choirmaster is a life of sacrifice.” And May 1st is a typical example, because this year “Good Shepherd Sunday” is replaced (in the EF) by the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker. Where can one find hymns to Saint Joseph the choir knows? Well, the Brébeuf has several excellent hymns to Saint Joseph. And since my choir has already been singing #220 during Lent, they already know #790 because it’s a “shared tune” as you can see:

Rehearsal videos for each individual voice await you at #790.

The full hymn—#790 in the Brébeuf hymnal—is twelve (12) verses long, and some of the verses relate Saint Joseph to the SANCTISSIMUM:

5. His ancient namesake to prepare
against the famine wisely strove
and, precious grain preserved in trove,
he thus provided saving fare.

6. The later Joseph kept the bread,
the manna true, divinely sent,
whose living flesh is nourishment
to those he rescues from the dead.

The rhyme scheme is one favored by poets such as Ronald Knox: it’s in ABBA.

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

Filed Under: Articles, Featured Tagged With: Saint Joseph The Worker, The Catholic Hymnal Last Updated: April 2, 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

28 May 2022 • “Pristine” Vatican Rhythm

My choirs have been singing from the “pure” Editio Vaticana rhythm, which is (technically) the official rhythm of the Catholic Church. I haven’t quite decided how I want the scores to look yet, but this one I’ve produced for tomorrow, Dominica Post Ascensionem (“Sunday after the Ascension”).

—Jeff Ostrowski
27 May 2022 • FEEDBACK

A reader from Wisconsin: “I will pray for you and CC Watershed. This site has been one of the most valuable resources I have in helping me run a choir for an ICKSP apostolate.” A reader from New York: “May God bless you for your wonderful work! This site has been invaluable to me.” A reader from Minnesota: “I started going to a Latin Mass parish about 10 years ago, and this website has been indispensable to me. I could not have learned to sing the Mass without the resources you provide. Thank you!” From Britain: “Thanks for all you are doing! …from a french Gregorian choirmaster living in the UK!”

—Jeff Ostrowski
25 May 2022 • FEEDBACK

From a reader: “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all the time and resources poured into CCWatershed. It’s transformed how I approach music in the parish, and has especially helped me deepen appreciation for the ability of volunteer musicians.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“By a decree of the synod of the diocese of Exeter in 1284, no one should claim any seat in a church; but whoever first entered a church for the purpose of devotion, might choose at his pleasure a place for praying.”

— A work by Fr. Husenbeth (d. 1872)

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