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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

Do Protestants Have The Best Hymns?

Jeff Ostrowski · August 10, 2025

URING MY conservatory years, I became friends with a Protestant—let’s pretend his name was “Jeremy”—who had an obsession with the 1940 EPISCOPALIAN HYMNAL. To him, it was the most magnificent hymnal ever printed and everything else was inferior. If an error were brought to his attention, Jeremy scrambled for ways to justify it, insisting: “That’s not really an error.” I was just a freshman (while Jeremy was a graduate student) so I kept my opinions to myself. But deep down, his approach bothered me. For Jeremy, it wasn’t about the beauty of the text, the splendor of the melody, or the hymn’s theology—the only thing that mattered was whether it could be found in that book.

“The Same Again, Please!” • Jeremy told me his church repeats the same 4-5 hymns every Sunday (except during Lent and Advent), exclaiming: “I have known these since my youth, and I can sing the bass and tenor parts. It’s just grand!” His statement bothers me to this day. As Professor László Dobszay said famously:

When we say: “The people like this”
we regard them as unable to develop,
as animals rather than human beings,
and we simply neglect our duties in
helping them towards a true human
existence—indeed, in this case, to
truly Christian existence.

Slow Yet Inexorable • In addition to stylistic diversity, I’ve argued there should be a gradual-yet-inexorable introduction of new hymns and chants as the years go by. It’s similar to the situation in rural areas of New York, where the hills are covered with luscious green trees. It’s truly a gorgeous sight … but what makes it even better is how those trees are constantly changing. First they’re green; then they begin turning red and yellow; then the leaves fall to the ground for winter; then sprout once more in spring. The beauty of those trees is enhanced by change. And the same is true for the liturgical year. At my parish, we have different hymns for the different seasons. (For the record, ALL SAINTS on November 1st is one of my favorite times of the year.)

Something similar could be said about television shows. THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW was a famous sitcom; but would Jeremy watch just one episode—the same episode—over and over? That isn’t an appropriate way to appreciate it, no matter how much Jeremy may love that particular episode.

False Accusations • I’m sure I’ll receive emails accusing me of advocating “change for the sake of change.” But that isn’t what I’m saying. First of all, at my parish—for each and every Mass—I make sure the congregation knows at least one song by heart. I am fully aware of how long it takes a congregation to learn new music. Moreover, congregations feel a strong affinity for what they’re familiar with, and this is only natural. Father Valentine Young used to say: “I love most dearly those parts of Sacred Scripture with which I’m the most familiar.”

A Myth • It is true that some (not all) Protestant houses of worship sing the same hymns over and over. Certain denominations—such as ‘high’ anglicans—adopted our Proprium Missae, but most didn’t … so hymns are all they have. This endless repetition has ‘imprinted’ those songs on their hearts. They feel strong emotions for them, and this passion has given rise to the idea that Protestant hymnals are the “very best of all.” But is that really true? Several years ago, SOPHIA INSTITUTE PRESS answered this question:

*  PDF Download • Do Protestants Have All The Good Hymns?

In light of that answer, I don’t see how anyone could pretend Protestants have the best hymns!

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

Filed Under: Articles, PDF Download Tagged With: 1940 Episcopalian Hymnal, Latin Mass Musical Diversity Last Updated: August 11, 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

“Church officials frequently asked Tomás Luis de Victoria for his opinion on cathedral appointments because of his fame and knowledge. He was faithful to his position as convent organist even after his professional debut as an organist, and never accepted any extra pay for being a chapelmaster. Held in great esteem, his contract allowed him frequent travel away from the convent, and he attended Palestrina’s funeral (in Rome) in 1594.”

— ‘Dr. Robert Stevenson, 1961 (mod.)’

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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