Views from the Choir Loft

Father Chris Smith Celebrates 20 Years as a Priest

Corpus Christi Watershed · August 22, 2025

ATHER CHRISTOPHER SMITH is a former student of the legendary polyglot theologian and choirmaster, Monsignor Robert A. Skeris. More than a decade ago, demonstrating generosity characteristic of him, Father Chris responded to a request to be photographed for the Isaac Jogues Illuminated Missal, a book which has a unique place in the liturgical life of the Catholic Church since it remains the only Novus Ordo pew book to contain the complete Propria Missae in Latin and English. Father Chris currently serves as pastor to Prince of Peace Parish in Taylors, South Carolina.

Here’s the direct URL link.

Celebrating 20 Years • Earlier today (which is the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary) Father Chris offered a special Mass in South Carolina in honor of the 20th anniversary of his ordination to the sacred priesthood. We believe our readers will recognize the polyphonic Mass setting selected for this occasion. Above is a video excerpt.

If anyone has more information vis-à-vis this special Mass, we will gladly post it here.

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

A Nice Hymn In Spanish

In my humble opinion, this is a really beautiful hymn in Spanish. If I practice diligently, I’ll be able to pronounce all the words properly. If you’re someone who’s interested in obtaining a melody only version (suitable for your congregational ORDER OF WORSHIP) you can steal that from this.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Music List” • 21st in Ordinary Time (Year C)

Our choir returns on Sunday, 24 August 2025. Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for it, which is the 21st 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 spectacular feasts website. When it comes to the feast of the Assumption (15 August 2025), I have uploaded the music list for that Mass—but not the “bi-lingual” Mass in the evening (Spanish, Latin, and English) which has completely different music.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Entrance Chant” • 21st Sunday Ordin. Time

You can download the ENTRANCE ANTIPHON in English for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) which is coming up on 24 August 2025. Corresponding to the vocalist score is this free organ accompaniment. It’s set in a melancholy mode, but if you heard my choir’s female voices singing it your soul would be uplifted beyond belief. If you’re someone who enjoys rehearsal videos, this morning I tried to sing it while simultaneously accompanying my voice on the pipe organ.

—Jeff Ostrowski

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