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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

“Isolation Camps” for Summórum Catholics?

Jeff Ostrowski · September 14, 2022

HAVE WORKED in both the Ordinary Form and the Extraordinary Form. Neither is “perfect.” For example, I’ve been involved with TLM communities since 1994 and can affirm that such communities certainly have some bad eggs.1 On the other hand, some Ordinary Form Masses are celebrated with such monstrous irreverence it can damage one’s faith. If the celebrant truly believes JESUS CHRIST is present—Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity—it’s difficult to understand why any priest would allow such disrespect. And I’m not just talking about the recent bikini Mass. Moreover, the musical selections for the Ordinary Form are frequently profane, goofy, and embarrassing. If we truly believe the SECOND PERSON OF THE BLESSED TRINITY is present, why do we allow such things?

15th Anniversary • As we mentioned when speaking about a hymn for 14 September, today is the 15th anniversary of SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM. In the 2007 accompanying letter to Summorum Pontificum, Pope Benedict XVI declared: “What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too, and it cannot be all of a sudden entirely forbidden or even considered harmful. It behooves all of us to preserve the riches which have developed in the Church’s faith and prayer…”

Isolation Camps? • During WW2, Franklin D. Roosevelt forcibly placed Americans of Japanese descent into “isolation camps,” in spite of the fact that many Japanese-Americans fought (and died) as United States soldiers. These days, nobody defends FDR’s actions toward Japanese-Americans, especially because it made them feel like traitors. Sadly, similar things are happening in the Catholic Church. Arthur Cardinal Roche wrote a letter (4 December 2021) saying that “Summórum Catholics” are supposed to be ostracized until they learn to prefer the Missale Recens.

No Action Too Petty • No action is considered too ‘petty’ by Cardinal Roche. For example, Roche says that EF celebrations should be omitted from the parish bulletin! The Sacrifice of Calvary is considered “banned” from the parish bulletin—can you imagine? And Roche says in his declaration that ‘normal’ Catholics need to make it clear to “Summórum Catholics” they belong at the bottom of the totem pole. For instance, §13 of his letter tells ‘normal’ Catholics to give every single “parish activity” of theirs a higher priority than Holy Mass in the EF.

Bishop Michael F. Burbidge • Bishop Burbidge recently decided to publicly punish Catholics who take seriously the words of Benedict XVI cited above. Bishop Burbidge, for instance, has removed the SANCTISSIMUM from churches, placing Our Lord into ‘interment camps’ such as gymnasiums. But just look what Catholics did in response! They made their gymnasium look beautiful (as shown in photographs taken by D. McConnell), and the attendance is standing room only:

Bishop Burbidge’s Flock • These families support the Catholic Church financially. Why are they being punished by Most Rev. Burbidge in this way? Is this the “accompaniment” which Pope Francis has so frequently called for? I invite Bishop Burbidge to contact me and explain why such a punishment was necessary in light of the following:

“Unity does not imply uniformity; it does not necessarily mean doing everything together or thinking in the same way.” —Pope Francis (31 October 2014)

“Wherever any minority is persecuted and marginalized because of its religious convictions or ethnic identity, the well-being of society as a whole is endangered, and each one of us must feel affected.” —Pope Francis (24 October 2013)

“Be open to acceptance, and hence to the value of inclusion. Don’t let yourselves be drawn into short-sighted ideologies that want to show others (those who are different from ourselves) as enemies.” —Pope Francis (6 July 2022)

“The Holy Spirit does not want closedness; He wants openness, and welcoming communities where there is a place for everyone. […] We are called to build an increasingly inclusive world that excludes no one.” —Pope Francis (26 September 2021)

Concluding Thought • A thought-provoking image found on the internet:

1 When it comes to TLM communities, I’ve noticed something strange. The people who are the most judgmental, condemnatory, and self-righteous are the ones who—in their personal lives—are the most disordered, cheerless, and malicious. Be on your guard against these pharisaical “traditionalists” because they’re dangerous. As my mother would say: “Misery loves company.” But the Ordinary Form has bad eggs as well.

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Anniversary Summorum Pontificum, Bishop Arthur Roche, Bishop Michael F Burbidge, Summorum Pontificum Last Updated: September 15, 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 Michigan. —(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    “Music List” • 22nd in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 31 August 2025, which is the 22nd 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 spectacular feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “The Worm That Dieth Not”
    My pastor asked me to write a column for our parish bulletin with reflections on the sacred liturgy and church music. In my most recent article, I discuss “The Worm That Dieth Not.” At this website, you can access it conveniently; simply scroll down to the one dated 31 August 2025.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    A Nice Hymn In Spanish
    In my humble opinion, this is a really beautiful hymn in Spanish. If I practice diligently, I’ll be able to pronounce all the words properly. If you’re someone who’s interested in obtaining a melody only version (suitable for your congregational ORDER OF WORSHIP) you can steal that from this.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    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
    Pope Pius XII Hymnal?
    Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Hybrid” Chant Notation?
    Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“Angularis fundamentum” is typically sung at the dedication or consecration of a church and on church anniversaries. For constructions too numerous to list in recent generations, it would be more appropriate to sing that Christ had been made a temporary foundation. A dispirited generation built temporary housing for its Lord, and in the next millnenium, the ease of its removal may be looked back upon as its chief virtue.

— Fr. George Rutler (2016)

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  • “The Worm That Dieth Not”

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