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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

    “Entrance Chant” • 23rd (Ordinary Time)
    This coming Sunday, 7 September 2025, is the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). You can download the “Entrance Chant,” conveniently located at the feasts website. I also recorded a rehearsal video for it (freely available at the same website). The Communion Chant includes gorgeous verses in FAUXBOURDON. I attempted to create a rehearsal video for it, and it’s been posted at the feasts website, called by some: “church music’s best kept secret.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • 3 September
    According to the MISSALE RECENS, the Feast of Saint Gregory the Great occurs on 3 September (the date Gregory became pope). Formerly, his feast was celebrated during Lent, on 12 March (the day Gregory died). In Latin, the feast is: Die 3 Septembris: S. Gregorii Magni, papæ et Ecclesiæ doctoris. you can download the Latin Introit, the Latin Offertory, as well as the Communion with gorgeous fauxbordon in English. Abbat Joseph Pothier—along with Dom André Mocquereau, Bishop Laurent Janssens, Father De Santi, and other Gregorian superstars—sang with a choir of 1,210 voices (from 36 different Roman colleges) under the direction of Monsignor Antonio Rella. That Mass included the “Alma cohors,” a special SEQUENCE for Saint Gregory…much to the dismay of those who believe in strict adherence to rubrics. The Mass on 11 April 1904 was celebrated by Pope Saint Pius X, at the great GREGORIAN CONGRESS held in Rome “to mark the 13th Centenary of the death of Saint Gregory the Great.” Someday, there’s much I’d love to say about this congress. We even have recordings (!) from it (made in 1904 by the Gramophone Company) with choirs conducted by Dom Pothier, Dom Mocquereau, Dom Janssens, Monsignor Rella, Baron Kanzler, and others.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    New Bulletin Article • “7 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 is called: “Professor Bouyer’s Regret.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    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
    Pope Pius XII Hymnal?
    Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Hybrid” Chant Notation?
    Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“From the responses received, it is thus clear that by far the greater number of bishops feel that the present discipline [Communion on the tongue and not in the hand] should not be changed at all—indeed, that if it were changed, this would be offensive to the sensibility and spiritual appreciation of these bishops and of most of the faithful.”

— Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship (29 May 1969)

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