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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

“O Magnum Mysterium” • Do You Sing This?

Jeff Ostrowski · January 12, 2024

HERE’S A WONDERFUL expression in English: “He can’t see the forest for the trees.” Some—by focusing on details to the exclusion of everything else—end up looking ridiculous. For example, ROBERT F. KENNEDY was born into privilege. When he was a youngster he wanted to “work,” so he got a job delivering newspapers. The only problem is that he used the family chauffeur (!) and Rolls-Royce to deliver the papers. Readers are probably aware that many “trad influencers” often can’t see the forest for the trees when it comes to the sacred liturgy. By spreading false statements about the pre-conciliar liturgy, they often—in my humble opinion—do enormous harm to the so-called TRADITIONAL MOVEMENT. This disturbs me greatly. I believe the Extraordinary Form is extremely important because it emphasizes the continuity of the Catholic Church.

Sacred Liturgy • We sometimes encounter internet folks who insist that “everything before 1954 was absolutely perfect and can’t be improved.” Their minds are made up; it’s pointless to try to persuade them. In reality, however, numerous feasts were added to the liturgical calendar since TRENT which (arguably) should not have been. Especially painful were feasts that “replaced” or “annihilated” feasts whose propers went back at least 1,700 years. One could easily write numerous lengthy dissertations on feasts which have been modified, especially vis-à-vis the seasons of Christmas and Epiphany. Readers can get a ‘hint’ about how complicated these matters are by downloading a special chart created back in 2021.

O MAGNUM MYSTERIUM • The motet “O Magnum Mysterium” by Father Tomás Luis de Victoria (d. 1611) is world famous—and deserves to be. Abbat Joseph Pothier published a plainsong edition in the 1890s. Despite what some claim, this motet is appropriate throughout the season of Epiphany (which originally encompassed the our Savior’s nativity).

Submit Your Version • Do you sing this motet? If so, please send us a recording by your choir and we’ll post it! The following is a ‘live’ recording by my volunteer choir, sung a few weeks ago during Christmas Midnight Mass:

Here’s the direct URL link.

I created individual rehearsal tracks for each voice at #3792.

*  Mp3 Download • Live Recording (14 Jan 2024)

Season of the Epiphany • The readings after Christmas—that is to say, during EPIPHANYTIDE—talk about the events in the early life of our Lord: the naming of Jesus; His Baptism at the River Jordan; the finding in the temple; the Wedding at Cana; and so forth. The following hymn honors the HOLY NAME of our Savior:

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

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Council of Trent, Epiphanytide, Feast of the Holy Family, Feast of the Holy Name, Season of Christmastide, Tomas Luis de Victoria Composer, Tomas Luis Vittoria composer Last Updated: January 18, 2024

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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

    PDF • “Lectionary Comparison Chart”
    Various shell corporations (in an effort to make money selling Sacred Scripture) have tinkered with the LECTIONARY texts in a way that’s shameful. It’s no wonder Catholics in the pews know so few Bible passages by heart. Without authorization, these shell corporations pervert the official texts. Consider the Responsorial Psalm for the 1st Sunday of Advent (Year A). If you download this PDF comparison chart you’ll notice each country randomly omits certain sections. Such tinkering has gone on for 60+ years—and it’s reprehensible.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Music List” • 29th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 19 October 2025, which is the 29th 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 sensational feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Liturgical Round (“Canon”) in C-Major
    Those who direct children’s choirs are always on the lookout for repertoire that’s dignified, inspired, and pleasing—yet still within reach of young choristers. Such directors will want to investigate this haunting liturgical round (PDF download) which has been married to the KYRIE from Mass VI (EDITIO VATICANA). I have provided an accompaniment, but it’s only for use during rehearsal; i.e. when teaching this round to your choristers. I also provided an organ accompaniment for the KYRIE—which some know by its trope (Kyrie Rex Genitor)—so that your congregation can take part when this round is used as a choral extension during Mass.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    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
    “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 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

Random Quote

“Every medicine does not suit every stage of sickness; because the tonic given to those who are recovering from fever would be hurtful to them if given while yet in their feverish condition. So likewise Baptism and Penance are as purgative medicines, given to take away the fever of sin; whereas this sacrament [the Sanctissimum] is a medicine given to strengthen, and it ought not to be given except to them who are quit of sin.”

— Saint Thomas Aquinas Re: the EUCHARIST

Recent Posts

  • PDF • “Lectionary Comparison Chart”
  • “Can Choral Music Survive?” • 3 Reasons It Will
  • A Simple Way to Sing and Notate Organum Harmony
  • Feast of the Jesuit Martyrs of North America
  • “Music List” • 29th in Ordinary Time (Year C)

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