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).

“Music List” • 9 Nov. (Dedic. Lateran)

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 9 November 2025, which is the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica. 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

PDF Download • Offertory (9 Nov.)

This year, the feast of 9 November replaces the Sunday. The OFFERTORY ANTIPHON (PDF file) for 9 November is exceedingly beautiful. The ‘Laterani’ mansion at Rome was the popes’ residence for a thousand years. The church there still is the cathedral church of Rome—“Mother and Head of all churches of the City and of the World,” says the inscription over the entrance. It is dedicated to Our Holy Savior, but has long been commonly known as “St. John Lateran” owing to its famous baptistery of St. John the Baptist. In this church, the pope’s own ‘cathedra’ (episcopal chair) stands in the apse.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Job Opening • $65,000 per year +

A parish 15 minutes away from me is looking for a choir director and organist. The parish is filled with young families. When I began my career, I would have jumped at such an opportunity! Saint Patrick’s in Grand Haven has a job opening for a music director paying $65,000 per year including 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.” I lived in Kansas for 15 years, Texas for 10 years, and Los Angeles for 10 years. Michigan is the closest place I know to heaven!

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Reminder” — Month of November (2025)

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

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