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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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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    New Bulletin Article • “21 September 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 21 September 2025) discusses some theological items—supported by certain verses in ancient Catholic hymns—and ends by explaining why certain folks become delirious with jealousy when they observe feats by Monsignor Ronald Knox.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Cheap! Cheap! Cheap!
    It’s always amusing to see old diocesan newspapers—in huge capital letters—advertising the Cheapest Catholic Paper in the United States. The correspondent who sent this to me added: “I can think of certain composers, published by large companies in our own day, who could truthfully brag about the most tawdry compositions in the world!” I wonder what she could have meant by such a cryptic comment…
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • Dom Murray Harmonies
    Along with so many others, I have deep respect for Dom Gregory Gregory Murray, who produced this clever harmonization (PDF) of “O SANCTISSIMA.” It’s always amazed me that Dom Gregory—a truly inspired composer—was so confused when it came to GREGORIAN CHANT. Throughout his life, he published contradictory statements, veering back-and-forth like a weather vane. Toward the end of his life, he declared: “I see clearly that the need for reform in liturgical music arose, not in the 18th and 19th centuries, but a thousand years earlier—in the 8th and 9th centuries, or even before that. The abuses began, not with Mozart and Haydn, but with those over-enthusiastic medieval musicians who developed the elaborate and flamboyant Gregorian Chant.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Karl Keating • “Canonization Questions”
    We were sent an internet statement (screenshot) that’s garnered significant attention, in which KARL KEATING (founder of Catholic Answers) speaks about whether canonizations are infallible. Mr. Keating seems unaware that canonizations are—in the final analysis—a theological opinion. They are not infallible, as explained in this 2014 article by a priest (with a doctorate in theology) who worked for multiple popes. Mr. Keating says: “I’m unaware of such claims arising from any quarter until several recent popes disliked by these Traditionalists were canonized, including John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul II. Usually Paul VI receives the most opprobrium.” Mr. Keating is incorrect; e.g. Father John Vianney, several centuries ago, taught clearly that canonizations are not infallible. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen would be another example, although clearly much more recent than Saint John Vianney.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Vatican II Changed Wedding Propers?
    It’s often claimed that the wedding propers were changed after Vatican II. As a matter of fact, that is a false claim. The EDITIO VATICANA propers (Introit: Deus Israel) remained the same after Vatican II. However, a new set of propers (Introit: Ecce Deus) was provided for optional use. The same holds true for the feast of Pope Saint Gregory the Great on 3 September: the 1943 propers (Introit: Si díligis me) were provided for optional use, but the traditional PROPRIA MISSAE (Introit: Sacerdótes Dei) were retained; they weren’t gotten rid of. The Ordo Cantus Missae (1970) makes this crystal clear, as does the Missal itself. There was an effort made in the post-conciliar years to eliminate so-called “Neo-Gregorian” chants, but (contrary to popular belief) most were retained: cf. the feast of Christ the King, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, and so forth.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Solemn “Salve Regina” (Chant)
    How many “S” words can you think of using alliteration? How about Schwann Solemn Salve Score? You can download the SOLEMN SALVE REGINA in Gregorian Chant. The notation follows the official rhythm (EDITIO VATICANA). Canon Jules Van Nuffel, choirmaster of the Cathedral of Saint Rumbold, composed this accompaniment for it (although some feel it isn’t his best work).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

By far, the event that caused the biggest increase in requests for indults from the morning Mass requirement was the Second World War. The unusual requirements of providing Mass during wartime led to some unique legislation accommodating the time of Mass. Already in 1940, Pope Pius XII issued a motu proprio addressing the situation of holding Mass in countries where a “Black-out” had been ordered.

— Father Shawn P. Tunink

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