Views from the Choir Loft

Anybody Want This Prayer?

Jeff Ostrowski · October 16, 2024

EVERAL WEEKS AGO, I posted on social media a photograph of the splendid prayer my choir says whenever we meet for rehearsal (or sing at Mass). It’s an abridged form of the “daily offering” composed by RAFAEL CARDINAL MERRY DEL VAL, who served as Secretary of State for Pope Saint Pius X. The English translation is by Monsignor Robert A. Skeris (a famous theologian and polyglot). A bunch of people contacted me, asking me how they could obtain a copy. If you earnestly desire this beautiful canvas, send an email to jeff@ccwatershed.org with the words “Cardinal Merry Del Val” in the subject line. I’ll reply to your email, explaining how it can be purchased.

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He Composed Music • RAFAEL CARDINAL MERRY DEL VAL was a musician & composer. Indeed, several of his compositions are still sung at the Vatican. Believe it or not, he was made a MONSIGNOR while still a seminarian.

Update: (26 October 2024) • Someone who ordered a copy from us writes as follows: “I just picked mine up last night and my oh my is it great! Thank you so much! Please consider doing things like this again in the future. I will wholeheartedly support it!”

Fun Fact • If memory serves, Cardinal Merry Del Val was born into a royal family. I don’t know anyone with a longer name. His full name is: Rafael María José Pedro Francisco Borja Domingo Gerardo de la Santísima Trinidad Merry del Val y Zulueta.

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

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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Dom Pothier • Photo from 1904

Dom Paul Cagin, in a 1904 publication (L’oeuvre de Solesmes dans la restauration du chant grégorien) made sure to include a beautiful image of Dom Pothier, the legendary abbot of St-Wandrille. Also shown is a very young Dom André Mocquereau. Auguste Pécoul—considered the spiritual “son” of Abbat Prosper Guéranger of Solesmes—wrote as follows on 24 June 1901: “To forestall any confusion, let us remember that there is just one Gregorian notation—that restored, according to the ancient manuscripts, by the eminent Abbot of Saint-Wandrille, Dom Pothier.” ✠

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF • “3-Voice Motet” (Father De Laet)

I believe 99% of our readers will recognize this hymn tune. Perhaps Father Edgard De Laet should have called it a ‘hymn’ instead of a ‘motet for three voices’—but he’s technically correct, since MOTET is defined as: “a short piece of sacred choral music, typically polyphonic and unaccompanied.” The even verses are for three voices, as you will see if you download the PDF score at #20245. The odd verses may be song a cappella SATB or unison with organ.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Chart • “Plainsong Rhythm”

I will go to my grave without understanding the lack of curiosity so many people have about the rhythmic modifications made by Dom André Mocquereau. For example, how can someone examine this single sheet comparison chart and at a minimum not be curious about the differences? Dom Mocquereau basically creates a LONG-SHORT LONG-SHORT rhythmic pattern—in spite of enormous and overwhelming manuscript evidence to the contrary. That’s why some scholars referred to his method as “Neo-Mensuralist” or “Neo-Mensuralism.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Reminder” — Month of January (2026)

On a daily basis, I speak to people who don’t realize we publish a free newsletter (although they’ve followed our blog for years). We have no endowment, no major donors, no savings, and refuse to run annoying ads. As a result, our mailing list is crucial to our survival. Signing up couldn’t be easier: simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF • “O Come All Ye Faithful” (Simplified)

I admire the harmonization of “Adeste Fideles” by David Willcocks (d. 2015), who served as director of the Royal College of Music (London, England). In 2025, I was challenged to create a simplified arrangement for organists incapable of playing the authentic version at tempo. The result was this simplified keyboard arrangement (PDF download) based on the David Willcocks version of “O Come All Ye Faithful.” Feel free to play through it and let me know what you think.

—Jeff Ostrowski