Views from the Choir Loft

PDF Download • “Seasonal Index” for the Brébeuf Hymnal

Veronica Moreno · October 26, 2024

Y DAUGHTER really enjoys playing the simplified accompaniments which were created for the BRÉBEUF HYMNAL and we hope more will be forthcoming. (Ahem … hint hint.) The feast of All Saints is approaching on November 1st, and for this feast I consulted a ‘seasonal’ index I created a number of years ago for the BRÉBEUF HYMNAL, the creation of which so many of my colleagues contributed to. I was pleased to observe that my ‘unofficial’ seasonal index has been downloaded more than 4,000 times. The link can be found on the Brébeuf website, but here it is again for readers who don’t feel like heading over there:

* PDF Download • SEASONAL INDEX (for personal use)

Rookie Mistake • One has to be careful when it comes to a particular hymn for the feast of All Saints on November 1st. That’s because its ancient form shares the exact same name as an ancient Christmas hymn: CHRISTE REDEMPTOR OMNIUM. They are actually two completely different hymns, composed several centuries apart. Here’s what the Christmas version looks like:

Happy Memories • Along with several of my friends (Corrinne May, Iffy Edochie, and so many more) I was privileged to sing polyphony under the direction of Mr. Ostrowski when he lived in Los Angeles. One of the first polyphonic pieces we ever learned was called “Te Mane Laudum Carmine.” It was based on a piece by Father Francisco Guerrero, and I suspect its adaptation was done by Mr. Ostrowski. The polyphony is based on the ‘normal’ melody for the Christmas version, but this same chant tune was often used by our ancestors for the All Saints version as well. It can be found as #3473 under the title of: “Hymn to the Sacred Trinity.” I look back with fond memories upon those polyphonic days.

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

About Veronica Moreno

Veronica Moreno is married to a teacher and homeschools five children. She has been cantor at her local Catholic parish for over a decade.—(Read full biography).

“Offertory” at Catholic Funerals

I have argued that the OFFERTORY—at least in its ancient form—is more of a responsory than an antiphon. The 1962 Missal specifically calls it “Antiphona ad Offertorium.” From now on, I plan to use this beautiful setting (PDF) at funerals, since it cleverly inserts themes from the absolution of the body. Tons more research needs to be done on the OFFERTORY, which often is a ‘patchwork’ stitching together various beginnings and endings of biblical verses. For instance, if you examine the ancient verses for Dómine, vivífica me (30th Sunday in Ordinary Time) you’ll discover this being done in a most perplexing way. Rebecca Maloy published a very expensive book on the OFFERTORY, but it was a disappointment. Indeed, I can’t think of a single valuable insight contained in her book. What a missed opportunity!

—Jeff Ostrowski

“In Paradisum” • Gregorian Chant

As a RECESSIONAL on All Souls’ Day (November 2nd), we will sing In Paradísum Dedúcant Te Ángeli (PDF). When it comes to Gregorian Chant, this is one of the most popular “songs.” Frankly, all the prayers and chants from the traditional REQUIEM MASS (Missa exsequialis or Missa pro defunctis) are incredibly powerful and never should’ve been scuttled. Click here to hear “In Paradisum” in a recording I made this afternoon. Professor Louis Bouyer spoke of the way Bugnini “scuttled the office of the dead” in this fascinating excerpt from his memoirs. In his book, La riforma litugica (1983), Bugnini bragged—in quite a shameful way—about eliminating the ancient funeral texts, and even admitted those venerable texts were “beloved” (his word) by Catholics.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Music List” • All Souls (2 November)

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 2 November 2025, which is the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (“All Souls”). 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. In my humble opinion, it’s weird to have the feast of All Saints on a Sunday. No wonder the close associate of Pope Saint Paul VI said the revised KALENDAR was “the handiwork of a trio of maniacs.” However, I can’t deny that sometimes the sacred liturgy consists of elements that are seemingly contradictory: e.g. the Mode 7 “De Profúndis” ALLELUIA, or the Mode 8 “Dulce lignum” ALLELUIA on the various ancient feasts of the Holy Cross (3 May, 14 September, and so on).

—Jeff Ostrowski

Gospel Options for 2 November (“All Souls”)

We’ve been told some bishops are suppressing the TLM because of “unity.” But is unity truly found in the MISSALE RECENS? For instance, on All Souls (2 November), any of these Gospel readings may be chosen, for any reason (or for no reason at all). The same is true of the Propria Missæ and other readings—there are countless options in the ORDINARY FORM. In other words, no matter which OF parish you attend on 2 November, you’ll almost certainly hear different propers and readings, to say nothing of different ‘styles’ of music. Where is the “unity” in all this? Indeed, the Second Vatican Council solemnly declared: “Even in the liturgy, the Church has no wish to impose a rigid uniformity in matters which do not implicate the faith or the good of the whole community.”

—Corpus Christi Watershed

“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