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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

“All Saints” • Jeff Ostrowski Tries to Simultaneously Accompany His Voice on the Organ

Jeff Ostrowski · November 1, 2024

HOSE WHO HAVE studied the diaries of Cardinal Antonelli realize the disproportionately large role Professor Josef A. Jungmann (d. 1975) played in the liturgical reforms. During his entire priestly life, Father Jungmann never once celebrated a sung Mass. Although this beggars belief,1 perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised … because so many post-conciliar reforms could only have been enacted by people with a deficient knowledge of sacred music. (It gives me no joy to say this.)

Hidden By Humility • The world didn’t consider Father Valentine Young (d. 2020) a notable scholar, but I guarantee you he was in many ways smarter than Father Jungmann—or perhaps I should say “wiser.” Father Valentine took pains to disguise his great learning. He did this by tremendous humility. I still remember how he had a particular love for the Gaudeamus INTROIT and got excited whenever an upcoming feast included it. In those days, I didn’t understand why he made such a big deal about it. However, over the years I’ve come to love this ancient chant deeply.

November 1st • The marvelous feast-day of November 1st—viz. THE FEAST OF ALL SAINTS—prescribes as its Entrance Chant the “Gaudeamus.” This morning, I attempted to simultaneously accompany my voice on the pipe organ while singing it:

*  PDF Download • Singer’s Score (Treble Clef)
*  PDF Download • ORGAN ACCOMPANIMENT (2 Pages)

Here’s the direct URL link.

A Saint Among Us • What can I say about Father Valentine Young? I was so blessed to know him. He brought happiness to the lives of everyone he encountered. And Father Valentine loved intensely the sacred liturgy, and especially Gregorian Chant. No matter where he went—even when he spent years as a missionary to the Navajo—he spread the love of CARMEN GREGORIANUM. He (of all people!) had a zillion reasons to be bitter … yet his heart was full of nothing but love, humility, and joy. Maybe someday God will give me the grace to be like Father Valentine.

Many profess to love God. Many claim they’re content each day to do God’s Will and not their own. Many profess to love Gregorian Chant. Many claim to love the sacred liturgy. But Father Valentine was the real deal.

Renewal of Challenge • In many recent articles, I’ve been recommending the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal. I believe this book is indispensable for any serious Catholic choirmaster. (I certainly couldn’t run my choral program without it.) I don’t use the “P-word” word lightly, but I’m comfortable calling the BRÉBEUF HYMNAL peerless. Indeed, one of the main authors for the Church Music Association of America weblog declared (6/10/2022) that the BRÉBEUF HYMNAL “has no parallel and not even any close competitor.” For years, I’ve been searching for a qualified partner who’s willing to debate this assertion over zoom. Today—1 November 2024—I respectfully renew my challenge. Our website garners millions of hits, but so far nobody has accepted my challenge.

1 This is according to the testimony of Dr. Louis Bouyer, who was a close friend of Pope Saint Paul VI. Cf. page 257 of “Louis Bouyer Memoirs” (San Francisco: IGNATIUS PRESS, 2015). Father Jungmann seems to have taken the famous motto (“Jesuita non cantat”) to absurd extremes. On the other hand, the undeniable erudition of his publications wouldn’t be incompatible with a priest who spent most of his time alone or in scholarly pursuits.

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

Filed Under: Articles, PDF Download Tagged With: Carmen Gregorianum, Catholic Hymnal Challenge, Father Valetine Young, Feast of All Saints, November 1st All Saints, Rev Fr Valentine Young OFM Last Updated: January 27, 2025

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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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President’s Corner

    Typo in the “Missale Romanum” (1962)
    The 1962 MISSALE ROMANUM was a transitional missal. It was on its way to becoming the 1970 version, but wasn’t there yet. It eliminated certain duplications, downplayed the Prayers at the Foot of the Altar, expanded the role of laymen, minimized the Last Gospel, made many items optional, and so forth. Father Valentine Young spotted many typos in the 1962 MISSALE ROMANUM, especially incorrect accents. The Offertory Antiphon for this coming Sunday (OF kalendar) contains an error, citing the wrong verse from Psalm 118. It should be 118:107b, not 118:154. If you read verse 154, you’ll understand how that error crept in. [In this particular case, the error pre-dates the 1962 Missal, since the 1940s hand-missal by Father Lasance also gets it wrong.]
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Music List” • 30th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 26 October 2025, which is the 30th 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 top-notch feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Little Encouragement?
    In the Gospel, our Savior tells about 10 lepers who were healed. Only one went back to give thanks. Precious few express gratitude, yet many have endless energy to complain. For that reason, I deeply appreciate receiving messages like the following, which arrived a few days ago (about the parish where I direct in Michigan): “Last Sunday, a couple I knew from Grand Rapids was at Mass at 10:00 a.m. I got a chance to talk to them after Mass. I wanted to let you know what they said about the choir. They were absolutely floored by our sound!!!!! They both said they could continuously listen to our choir and the beauty of it. They asked me: “Do you always sound like that?” And they were also very surprised at how packed the church was. They said it was nice for them to be in such a full church. I just thought you would be interested to know their thoughts about our choir.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “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
    “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

Random Quote

In the Orthodox Churches they have kept that pristine liturgy, so beautiful. We have lost a bit the sense of adoration. They keep, they praise God, they adore God, they sing, time doesn’t count. God is the center, and this is a richness …

— Pope Francis (8/2/2013)

Recent Posts

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  • Typo in the “Missale Romanum” (1962)
  • “Music List” • 30th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
  • “Our Father” • Musical Setting?

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