• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): โ€œAlthough the text of the Roman Gradualโ€”at least that which concerns the singingโ€”has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.โ€

  • Donate
  • Our Team
    • Our Editorial Policy
    • Who We Are
    • How To Contact Us
    • Sainte Marie Bulletin Articles
    • Jeffโ€™s Mom Joins Fundraiser
  • Pew Resources
    • Brรฉbeuf Catholic Hymnal
    • Jogues Illuminated Missal
    • Repository โ€ข โ€œSpanish Musicโ€
    • KYRIALE โ€ข Saint Antoine Daniel
    • Campion Missal, 3rd Edition
  • MUSICAL WEBSITES
    • Renรฉ Goupil Gregorian Chant
    • Noรซl Chabanel Psalms
    • Nova Organi Harmonia (2,279 pages)
    • Roman Missal, 3rd Edition
    • Catechism of Gregorian Rhythm
    • Father Enemond Massรฉ Manuscripts
    • Lalemant Polyphonic
    • Feasts Website
  • Miscellaneous
    • Site Map
    • Secrets of the Conscientious Choirmaster
    • โ€œWedding Marchโ€ for lazy organists
    • Emporium Kevin Allen
    • Saint Jean de Lalande Library
    • Sacred Music Symposium 2023
    • The Eight Gregorian Modes
    • Gradual by Pothierโ€™s Protรฉgรฉ
    • Seven (7) Considerations
Views from the Choir Loft

Tempo?? โ€ข ๐˜๐˜ฐ๐˜ญ๐˜บ ๐˜Ž๐˜ฐ๐˜ฅ, ๐˜ž๐˜ฆ ๐˜—๐˜ณ๐˜ข๐˜ช๐˜ด๐˜ฆ ๐˜›๐˜ฉ๐˜บ ๐˜•๐˜ข๐˜ฎ๐˜ฆ

Jeff Ostrowski · January 31, 2023

Once, after Mass, my pastor said he really loved the hymn we did. I said: โ€œFather, that’s Holy God, We Praise Thy Nameโ€”you never heard it before?โ€ He replied: โ€œBut the way you did it was terrific. For once, it didn’t sound like a funeral dirge!โ€ Last Sunday, our volunteer choir sang that hymn. I think the tempo was just about right โ€ฆ but what do you think?

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

Filed Under: President's Corner Tagged With: Holy God, Holy God We Praise Thy Name Last Updated: January 31, 2023

Subscribe

It greatly helps us if you subscribe to our mailing list!

* indicates required

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. โ€”(Read full biography).

Primary Sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    โ€œMusic Listโ€ โ€ข 14 September (Holy Cross)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I prepared for 14 September 2025, which is the Feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross. 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
    New Bulletin Article โ€ข โ€œ14 September 2025โ€
    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 14 September 2025) discusses OFFERTORY ANTIPHONS and contains a wonderful quote by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download โ€ข Draft Copy (Pamphlet)
    A few days ago, I posted a draft copy of this 12-page pamphlet with citations about the laity’s โ€œfull, conscious, and active participation.โ€ Its basic point or message is that choir directors should never feel embarrassed to teach real choral music because Vatican II explicitly ordered them to do that! We’ve received tons of mail regarding that pamphlet, with many excellent suggestions for improvement. Please feel free to chime in!
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Karl Keating โ€ข โ€œCanonization Questionsโ€
    We were sent an internet statement (screenshot) that’s garnered significant attention, in which KARL KEATING (founder of Catholic Answers) speaks about whether canonizations are infallible. Mr. Keating seems unaware that canonizations areโ€”in the final analysisโ€”a theological opinion. They are not infallible, as explained in this 2014 article by a priest (with a doctorate in theology) who worked for multiple popes. Mr. Keating says: โ€œI’m unaware of such claims arising from any quarter until several recent popes disliked by these Traditionalists were canonized, including John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul II. Usually Paul VI receives the most opprobrium.โ€ Mr. Keating is incorrect; e.g. Father John Vianney, several centuries ago, taught clearly that canonizations are not infallible. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen would be another example, although clearly much more recent than Saint John Vianney.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Vatican II Changed Wedding Propers?
    It’s often claimed that the wedding propers were changed after Vatican II. As a matter of fact, that is a false claim. The EDITIO VATICANA propers (Introit: Deus Israel) remained the same after Vatican II. However, a new set of propers (Introit: Ecce Deus) was provided for optional use. The same holds true for the feast of Pope Saint Gregory the Great on 3 September: the 1943 propers (Introit: Si dรญligis me) were provided for optional use, but the traditional PROPRIA MISSAE (Introit: Sacerdรณtes Dei) were retained; they weren’t gotten rid of. The Ordo Cantus Missae (1970) makes this crystal clear, as does the Missal itself. There was an effort made in the post-conciliar years to eliminate so-called โ€œNeo-Gregorianโ€ chants, but (contrary to popular belief) most were retained: cf. the feast of Christ the King, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, and so forth.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Solemn โ€œSalve Reginaโ€ (Chant)
    How many โ€œSโ€ 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

Random Quote

โ€œI am of the opinion, to be sure, that the old rite should be granted much more generously to all those who desire it. It’s impossible to see what could be dangerous or unacceptable about that. A community is calling its very being into question when it suddenly declares that what until now was its holiest and highest possession is strictly forbidden and when it makes the longing for it seem downright indecent.โ€

— Cardinal Ratzinger, 1997

Recent Posts

  • โ€œMusic Listโ€ โ€ข 14 September (Holy Cross)
  • Do You Recognize This Hymn? Do You Like It?
  • Charlie Kirkโ€™s Fascination with Traditional Catholic Liturgy
  • โ€œNovus Ordo Parish โ€ฆ With Polyphony?โ€ โ€ข Is that possible? How specifically does that work?
  • โ€œThe Injustice of Traditionis Custodesโ€ โ€ข (Private Meetings at the Vatican)

Subscribe

Subscribe

* indicates required

Copyright © 2025 Corpus Christi Watershed ยท Isaac Jogues on Genesis Framework ยท WordPress ยท Log in

Corpus Christi Watershed is a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to exploring and embodying as our calling the relationship of religion, culture, and the arts. This non-profit organization employs the creative media in service of theology, the Church, and Christian culture for the enrichment and enjoyment of the public.