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Corpus Christi Watershed

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

“Not Schmaltzy” • An Ancient Christmas Hymn

Jeff Ostrowski · December 22, 2023

ATHER VALENTINE used to say: De gustibus non est disputandum. “In matters of taste, let there be no dispute.” For example, he didn’t like the Lemmensinstituut accompaniments—which should come as no surprise since he studied under the John de Deo Oldegeering, OFM, a legendary plainsong instructor who followed the Mocquereau-Bragers school. I try not emphasize my opinions unduly on this blog. That’s a quick way to make lifelong enemies. For example, I consider the hymn tune “SANDON” to be just dreadful—but should I dwell on that? Surely it’s better to emphasize the positive.

Christmas Carols • Speaking of opinions, there are certain Christmas carols I find so “sentimental” or “schmaltzy” or “gooey” or “saccharine” that—in my personal opinion—they don’t belong at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. One that comes to mind immediately: O Little town of Bethlehem. I realize others will disagree. Contrariwise, an ancient Christmas hymn that’s robust is Christe Redemptor Omnium (whose title was changed in 1631AD to Jesu Redemptor Omnium). Do you agree the English translation by Robert Campbell of Skerrington is fabulous?

Just look how faithful Campbell was to the original:

*  PDF Download • COMPARISON CHART
—Literal translation Vs. a poetic translation by Robert Campbell of Skerrington.

To access this hymn’s media in the Brébeuf Portal, click here.

English Primers • The Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal printed ancient translations from ENGLISH PRIMERS. I’m talking about Roman Catholic translations into English from the 1500s—which were intended for singing—of ancient Latin hymns. (The Brébeuf editors found explicit proof that these translations were intended to be sung, not just read.) We don’t have permission to reprint them on this blog, but let me just assure you they’re endlessly fascinating:

Robert Campbell + Saint Augustine:

Not every translation by Robert Campbell 1 is literal. Consider Campbell’s famous version of Ad Cenam Agni Providi (“At the Lamb’s high feast we sing”). It’s not really a translation. Rather, Campbell uses the original text as a springboard for his own thoughts. Consider “after the crossing of the red sea.” Campbell relates this “red sea” to the blood and water that flowed from Christ’s side on the cross, so crossing the red sea now means being washed by the blood and water from the Heart of Jesus. Indeed, Saint Augustine (Enn. in Ps. CXXXVIII) says: Ex latere Domini dormientis, id est, in passione morientis, et in cruce percusso de lancea, manaverunt sacramenta, quibus formaretur Ecclesia. (“From the side of the Lord sleeping, that is, dying in his passion, and pierced by a spear on the cross, flowed the sacraments whereby the Church would be formed.”) For the record, Corpus Christi Watershed is named in honor of “water shed” from the Heart of Christ.

To access this hymn’s media in the Brébeuf Portal, click here.

1 According to a footnote in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal, Robert Campbell of Skerrington converted to the True Faith in 1852.

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

Filed Under: Articles, PDF Download Tagged With: Christe Redemptor Omnium Xmas, Jesu Redemptor Omnium, Robert Campbell of Skerrington Last Updated: December 23, 2023

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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

    Typo in the “Missale Romanum” (1962)
    The 1962 MISSALE ROMANUM was a transitional missal. It was on its way to becoming the 1970 version, but wasn’t there yet. It eliminated certain duplications, downplayed the Prayers at the Foot of the Altar, expanded the role of laymen, minimized the Last Gospel, made many items optional, and so forth. Father Valentine Young spotted many typos in the 1962 MISSALE ROMANUM, especially incorrect accents. The Offertory Antiphon for this coming Sunday (OF kalendar) contains an error, citing the wrong verse from Psalm 118. It should be 118:107b, not 118:154. If you read verse 154, you’ll understand how that error crept in. [In this particular case, the error pre-dates the 1962 Missal, since the 1940s hand-missal by Father Lasance also gets it wrong.]
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Music List” • 30th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 26 October 2025, which is the 30th 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 top-notch feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Little Encouragement?
    In the Gospel, our Savior tells about 10 lepers who were healed. Only one went back to give thanks. Precious few express gratitude, yet many have endless energy to complain. For that reason, I deeply appreciate receiving messages like the following, which arrived a few days ago (about the parish where I direct in Michigan): “Last Sunday, a couple I knew from Grand Rapids was at Mass at 10:00 a.m. I got a chance to talk to them after Mass. I wanted to let you know what they said about the choir. They were absolutely floored by our sound!!!!! They both said they could continuously listen to our choir and the beauty of it. They asked me: “Do you always sound like that?” And they were also very surprised at how packed the church was. They said it was nice for them to be in such a full church. I just thought you would be interested to know their thoughts about our choir.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “Our Father” • Musical Setting?
    Looking through a Roman Catholic Hymnal published in 1859 by Father Guido Maria Dreves (d. 1909), I stumbled upon this very beautiful tune (PDF file). I feel it would be absolutely perfect to set the “Our Father” in German to music. Thoughts?
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    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
    “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

Random Quote

“It is the choir that can make the most valuable contribution to the liturgy; it is through the choir that significant numbers of the congregation can make a significant and valuable offering in the community’s act of worship. The choir links directly academic excellence, artistic creation, disciplined attention and self expression in the making of something fitting for the worship of God.”

— Father Daniel Higgins, Choirmaster at Saint Edmund’s College, Ware

Recent Posts

  • Typo in the “Missale Romanum” (1962)
  • “Music List” • 30th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
  • “Our Father” • Musical Setting?
  • Little Encouragement?
  • Children’s Repertoire • Mueller’s Recommendations

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