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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

Involving Women in the Communion?

Jeff Ostrowski · October 4, 2025

OR DECADES after the reign of Pope Saint Pius X, some claimed that women were forbidden from singing Mass propers by §13 of the MOTU PROPRIO (Inter pastorális offícii) issued on 22 November 1903. Not long ago, I received a weird telephone call from a man appointed “director of music” for a large diocese in the United States. He insisted that—according to Pope Pius X—it was impossible (his word) for women to sing the Mass propers at the Traditional Latin Mass. I waited politely until he was finished speaking. Then I said: “But you realize Pope Pius X allowed Benedictine nuns to sing the Proprium Missae, right?” He immediately said: “Well, that’s fine, of course.”

Definition Of Woman • Is it possible he didn’t realize Benedictine nuns are are actually women? In my view, it seems more likely he’s confused about the meaning of the word “impossible.” Moreover, he seems not to understand the word “choir” can refer to people who sing at Mass, but can also refer to a section of the church—between nave and sanctuary—where clerics traditionally sat in choro in large churches.

Involving Our Women • At my parish, we always involve women singers in the COMMUNION by means of Fauxbourdon. Those interested in seeing how this works will find countless examples at the bodacious feasts website. For example, consider how it will be sung at our parish tomorrow:

Here’s the direct URL link.

More Like Offertory • For the record, that particular COMMUNION (“In salutári tuo ánima mea”) reminds me of an OFFERTORY, inasmuch as it weaves together ‘bits and pieces’ of different scripture verses. (The OFFERTORY ANTIPHON does that all the time.)

Carlo Rossini • In terms of people obsessed with trying to stop women from singing at church, Father Carlo Rossini’s list of rules (PDF) now seem comical.1 It’s difficult to take Rossini’s scholarship seriously, since his ‘rules’ cite the Vatican—in an attempt to force everyone to use Dom Mocquereau’s rhythm—in spite of the fact that the Vatican condemned Mocquereau’s rhythmic markings, since they contradict the official rhythm (adding thousands of pauses which don’t belong and eliminating elongations which are supposed to be there).

1 Father Carlo Rossini (1890-1975) was banished to Italy—according to Monsignor Francis P. Schmitt—because “after serving a stint with the Italian Society of Saint Caecilia during the 1950 Holy Year, Rossini was no longer welcome in Pittsburgh.” (Others disagree, claiming Rossini returned to Pittsburgh later on.) Schmitt says Rossini was basically a ‘little tyrant’ and wasn’t well-liked owing to how “with the backing of Bishop Boyle, Father Rossini frequently placed clerical violators of his interpretation of the law on a blacklist published in the diocesan paper.”

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

Filed Under: Articles, PDF Download Tagged With: Father Carlo Rossini 1890-1975, Father Carlo Rossini Sacred Music, Fauxbourdon Verses Communion, Inter Pastoralis Officii 1903 Motu Proprio Last Updated: October 6, 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

    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
    (Part 2) • Did they simplify this hymn?
    Choirs love to sing the resplendent tune called “INNSBRUCK.” Looking through a (Roman Catholic) German hymnal printed in 1929, I discovered what appears to be a simplified version of that hymn. Their harmonization is much less complex than the version found in the Father Brébeuf Hymnal (which is suitable for singing by SATB choir). Please download their 1929 harmonization (PDF) and let me know your thoughts. As always, the Germans added an organ INTRODUCTION. For the record, I posted a different harmonization a few months ago which was downloaded more than 2,000 times.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF • “Lectionary Comparison Chart”
    Various shell corporations (in an effort to make money selling Sacred Scripture) have tinkered with the LECTIONARY texts in a way that’s shameful. It’s no wonder Catholics in the pews know so few Bible passages by heart. Without authorization, these shell corporations pervert the official texts. Consider the Responsorial Psalm for the 1st Sunday of Advent (Year A). If you download this PDF comparison chart you’ll notice each country randomly omits certain sections. Such tinkering has gone on for 60+ years—and it’s reprehensible.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

    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
    “Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Fifty years ago, Dr. Theodore Marier made available this clever arrangement (PDF) of “Come down, O love divine” by P. R. Dietterich. The melody was composed in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (d. 1958) and named in honor of his birthplace: DOWN AMPNEY. The arrangement isn’t a strict canon, but it does remind one of a canon since the pipe organ employs “points of imitation.” The melody and text are #709 in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

Friedman met Egon Wellesz in Altaussee on one of the walks, and Egon started to speak about atonal music—and Ignaz replied: “No, no, no. Melody for me.”

— From the Life of Ignazy Friedman

Recent Posts

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  • Children’s Repertoire • Mueller’s Recommendations
  • PDF Download • “Marian Antiphon Booklet” (4 pages) + Five Rhythmic Considerations
  • False Accusations
  • (Part 2) • Did they simplify this hymn?

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