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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

“Saint Felix Creed” • Musical Setting for the Nicene Creed (Roman Missal, 3rd Edition)

Jeff Ostrowski · March 27, 2024

ARISHES WHICH SING the CREED in English might be interested my setting, dedicated to Saint Felix. It’s the one found in the “appendix” of the Saint Isaac Jogues Illuminated Missal, Gradual, and Lectionary. In composing this piece, I had four basic goals: (a) I wanted this setting to be interesting, so people don’t get bored after a few weeks. (b) It needed to be singable—so I kept the congregational sections in a low range, with somewhat simple melodies. (c) The congregational sections tend toward a “brighter” reciting tone, while the cantor parts hover around a “darker” reciting tone—again, in the interest of variety. (d) I treated the cadences differently each time, rather than doing the same thing a billion times, over and over.

Yesterday morning—28 March 2024—I recorded the Saint Felix Creed:

Here’s the direct URL link.

*  PDF Download • Gregorian Notation (Treble Clef)
*  PDF Download • Organ Accompaniment (2 pages)
You can download this congregational insert for the Saint Felix Creed. A special version for choir members who can’t read Gregorian notation is also available.

On 20 March 2014, my musical setting was approved for liturgical use in the United States by The Committee on Divine Worship (a standing committee of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops). The setting is dedicated to my brother, who is a priest.

OR QUITE a surprisingly long time, the CREED continued to be sung in Greek, not Latin. On page 270 of the Saint Isaac Jogues Illuminated Missal you will discover something utterly remarkable: a color photograph from the 11th century with the CREED in both Latin and Greek. The Latin was written on top—in orange letters—and the Greek underneath. As Dr. Peter Wagner wrote: “The scribes seldom knew Greek, so these renderings of Greek texts into Latin characters teem with mistakes of every kind.” Needless to say, singing the Nicene Creed in Latin is also a venerable and ancient tradition.

A Latin Version • If your choir sings in Latin, you might consider the following version. It’s the ancient Gregorian Chant CREDO VII, interspersed with polyphonic sections I composed (as well as astounding canonical excerpts from Father Guerrero). Below is a ‘live’ recording of our 100% volunteer choir singing this version last Sunday.

The polyphonic sections begin at marker 0:33.

Free rehearsal videos for each individual voice await you at #33782.

You’ll notice that rehearsal videos for each individual voice are available. This can save tons of rehearsal time!

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

Filed Under: Articles, Featured, PDF Download Tagged With: Musical Setting of the Creed, Roman Missal Third Edition Last Updated: March 28, 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

    Why A “Fugue” Here?
    I believe I know why this plainsong harmonizer created a tiny fugue as the INTRODUCTION to his accompaniment. Take a look (PDF) and tell me your thoughts about what he did on the feast of the Flight of Our Lord Jesus Christ into Egypt (17 February). And now I must go because “tempus fugit” as they say!
    —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
    “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

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

“If the right is given to African tribes to include their pagan traditions in the liturgy, I think the same should also be given to the rite of a thousand year-old Christian Church, based on a much older Roman tradition.”

— Professor László Dobszay

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  • “Puzzling Comment” • By A Respected FSSP Priest
  • New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”

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