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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

    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
    “Reminder” — Month of October (2025)
    Those who don’t sign up for our free EMAIL NEWSLETTER miss important notifications. Last week, for example, I sent a message about this job opening for a music director paying $65,000 per year plus benefits (plus weddings & funerals). Notice the job description says: “our vision for sacred music is to move from singing at Mass to truly singing the Mass wherein … especially the propers, ordinaries, and dialogues are given their proper place.” Signing up couldn’t be easier: simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Music List” • 27th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 5 October 2025, which is the 27th 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. Readers will want to check out the ENTRANCE CHANT posted there, which has a haunting melody (in the DEUTERUS MODE) and extremely powerful text.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “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
    “Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Fifty years ago, Dr. Theodore Marier made available this clever arrangement (PDF) of “Come down, O love divine” by P. R. Dietterich. The melody was composed in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (d. 1958) and named in honor of of his birthplace: DOWN AMPNEY. The arrangement isn’t a strict canon, but it does remind one of a canon since the pipe organ employs “points of imitation.” The melody and text are #709 in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Did they simplify these hymn harmonies?
    Choirs love to sing the famous & splendid tune called “INNSBRUCK.” Looking through a (Roman Catholic) German hymnal printed in 1952, I discovered what appears to be a simplified version of that hymn. In other words, their harmonization is much less complex than the version found in the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal (which is suitable for singing by SATB choir). Please download their 1952 harmonization (PDF) and let me know your thoughts. I really like the groovy Germanic INTRODUCTION they added.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“One can still have silence even during the Canon, since one is not obliged to recite the Canon audibly at all times. A quieter, less powerful tone of voice will always permit an opportunity for personal, silent prayer.”

— Joseph Cardinal Frings (25-jan-1968), patron of “Consociatio Internationalis Musicae Sacrae” (papal church music association)

Recent Posts

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  • New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
  • “Reminder” — Month of October (2025)
  • “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
  • Involving Women in the Communion?

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