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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

Archives for August 2025

Guest Author · August 16, 2025

Installment #4 • “Serious Problems with the Lectionary Translation”

Jeffrey Tucker: “USCCB deserves scorn for maintaining strict copyright over liturgical texts.”

Corpus Christi Watershed · August 14, 2025

Solemn “Salve Regina” (Chant)

The Schwann edition is on 4 lines, the version by Dr. Weinmann is on 5.

Jeff Ostrowski · August 13, 2025

A Nice Hymn In Spanish

This honors the holy name of Jesus.

Jeff Ostrowski · August 12, 2025

Fulton J. Sheen • “Why Four Bishops Voted Against the Liturgical Constitution”

Including info Re: “emanations from penumbras.”

Richard J. Clark · August 11, 2025

New Marian Organ Work • a Triptych on “Lumen Ad Revelatiónem”

Dr. Jennifer Pascual premiered this work in concert at Saint John’s Seminary…

Jeff Ostrowski · August 11, 2025

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

Readers have expressed interest in examining the “music list” I prepared for Sunday, 24 August.

Jeff Ostrowski · August 11, 2025

“Entrance Chant” • 21st Sunday Ordin. Time

This “Entrance Chant” is used during liturgical years A, B, and C.

Jeff Ostrowski · August 10, 2025

Do Protestants Have The Best Hymns?

“When we do this, we regard the congregation as unable to develop, as animals rather than human beings…” Professor László Dobszay

Corpus Christi Watershed · August 9, 2025

“We Laughed It Off” • Archbishop of Portland on the Elimination of Latin from the Sacred Liturgy

“It seemed so far beyond the realm of the possible as to be ridiculous. So we laughed it off.” — Most Rev. Robert J. Dwyer (d. 1976)

Mark Haas · August 7, 2025

Is this what the new “Youth Mass” looks like?

“We had 14 singers in the loft—nearly all of them teenagers.”

Jeff Ostrowski · August 6, 2025

“Music List” • 19th in Ordinary Time (Year C)

Readers have expressed interest in examining the “music list” I prepared for this coming Sunday.

Jeff Ostrowski · August 6, 2025

This Sunday’s Communion Antiphon

If anyone can point to a similar example, please notify me.

Jeff Ostrowski · August 5, 2025

Using “Ye” Vs. “You” Correctly

Father Caraman was close friends with Monsignor Ronald Knox, Evelyn Waugh, and Sir Alec Guinness.

Guest Author · August 4, 2025

Installment #3 • “Serious Problems with the Lectionary Translation”

“All ate a meal fit for heroes.” — Catholics in the pews deserve better than this!

Jeff Ostrowski · August 4, 2025

“Pope Leo XIV Has Announced…”

My pastor asked me to write a column each week vis-à-vis sacred music and liturgy.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    PDF Download • “Sprinkling Rite”
    Liturgical reformers who gained power after Vatican II frequently caused great suffering to musicians. With the stroke of a pen, they sometimes make changes that would require thousands—or even millions—of man hours (work undertaken by composers and editors). The Sprinkling Rite during Eastertide is but one tiny example. The version given in that PDF document was the original melody for Roman Missal, Third Edition. Some still prefer that version. However, at the last moment, an “unknown hand” tinkered with a few notes in the antiphon. Those who examine the current edition can verify this with their own eyes.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    ‘Sarum’ Good Friday?
    Plainsong of the Roman Rite has many variants—i.e. slight ‘variations’ or ‘alterations’ made to the ancient melodies. Variants often thrive in particular religious orders. Likewise, before Henry VIII broke away from the Catholic Church, Gregorian Chant variants were frequently associated with individual cathedrals in England: Hereford, Lincoln, Salisbury, and so forth. In the early 20th century, the (Anglican) organist at Westminster Abbey married “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” to this beautiful variant melody from England. Those who sing Gregorian Chant on Good Friday will recognize the melody. What do you think of this pairing?
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Eb Organ Postlude”
    Gustav Adolf Merkel (d. 1885) was a German organist, teacher, and composer. Although a Lutheran himself, he held the appointment at the (Roman Catholic) Cathedral of Dresden from 1864 until his death. You can download his Organ Postlude in E-Flat, which I like very much. He has an interesting way of marking the pedal notes. What do you think?
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “Gregorian Chant Quiz” • 24 March 2026
    How well do you know your Gregorian hymns? Do you recognize the tune inserted into the bass line on this score? For many years, we sang the entire Mass in Gregorian chant—and I mean everything. As a result, it would be difficult to find a Gregorian hymn I don’t recognize instantly. Only decades later did I realize (with sadness) that this skill cannot be ‘monetized’… This particular melody is used for a very famous Gregorian hymn, printed in the LIBER USUALIS. Do you recognize it? Send me an email with the correct words, and I promise to tell everybody I meet about your prowess!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Ubi Caritas” (SATB)
    I remember singing “Ubi Cáritas” by Maurice Duruflé at the conservatory. I was deeply moved by it. However, some feel Duruflé’s version isn’t suitable for small choirs since it’s written for 6 voices and the bass tessitura is quite low. That’s why I was absolutely thrilled to discover this “Ubi cáritas” (SATB) for smaller choirs by Énemond Moreau, who studied with OSCAR DEPUYDT (d. 1925), an orphan who became a towering figure of Catholic music. Depuydt’s students include: Flor Peeters (d. 1986); Monsignor Jules Van Nuffel (d. 1953); Arthur Meulemans (d. 1966); Monsignor Jules Vyverman (d. 1989); and Gustaaf Nees (d. 1965). Rehearsal videos for each individual voice await you at #19705. When I came across the astonishing English translation for “Ubi Cáritas” by Monsignor Ronald Knox—matching the Latin’s meter—I decided to add those lyrics as an option (for churches which have banned Latin). My wife and I made this recording to give you some idea how it sounds.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Holy, Holy, Holy”
    For vigil Masses on Saturday (a.k.a. “anticipated” Masses) we use this simpler setting of the “Holy, Holy, Holy” by Monsignor Jules Vyverman (d. 1989), a Belgian priest, organist, composer, and music educator who ultimately succeeded another ‘Jules’ (CANON JULES VAN NUFFEL) as director of the Lemmensinstituut in Belgium. Although I could be wrong, my understanding is that the LEMMENSINSTITUUT eventually merged with “Catholic University of Leuven” (originally founded in 1425). That’s the university Fulton J. Sheen attended.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

On 26 July 1916—during the German occupation of Belgium—a student choir led by Van Nuffel performed his setting of the psalm “Super flumina Babylonis” in Saint Rumbold’s Cathedral. The text and the musical setting very aptly expressed the depressed and rebellious mood of the population. The acclaim was enormous, and it laid the foundation for Van Nuffel’s formation of the Saint Rumbold’s choir.

— Unknown

Recent Posts

  • PDF Download • “Sprinkling Rite”
  • ‘Sarum’ Good Friday?
  • Gregorian Chant • The “Correct” Way of Singing ?
  • PDF Download • “Eb Organ Postlude”
  • Fulton J. Sheen • “24-Hour Catechism”

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