Psalm Tone Challenge!
If you know a shorter one, please email me!
Archives for December 2025
Card. Heenan on Ronald Knox: “Perhaps the Church’s greatest figure of the 20th century.”
“Although renowned as a preacher and scholar, the real greatness of Knox lay in his holiness of life.” —Cardinal Heenan (Archbishop of Westminster)
“Kaitrin Drost Strikes Again!” • Plus a Few Random Thoughts and Tirades by Jeff Ostrowski
Imagine walking up into a choir loft and sounding like these young ladies without rehearsal.
PDF • “O Come All Ye Faithful” (Simplified)
Please play through it and let me know what you think.
Bing Crosby, Christmas, and Catholicism
He served as an unwitting catechist, introducing a young listener to the language and music of Catholicism.
💰 Are Church Musicians Paid Too Little?
I came very close to paying an unspeakably severe price.
PDF Download • “In Paradisum” in English
If anyone wants to download this organ accompaniment, feel free to do so!
“O Antiphons” Elevated?
From what I can tell, the 1970 rubrics moved each “O Antiphon” to the Gospel Acclamation at Mass (in late December).
PDF • “Music List” (Sunday, 28 December)
Readers have expressed interest in examining the “music list” I prepared for the feast of the Holy Family.
Should Catholics Sing Protestant Christmas Carols?
Including the “music list” I have prepared for Christmas Midnight Mass.
PDF • “Music List” (Xmas Midnight Mass)
Readers have expressed interest in examining the “music list” I prepared for Christmas Midnight Mass.
What does this mean? “Pre-Urbanite”
This topic I had believed to be fairly well understood—but I was wrong.
“He never had a single day of conflict with anyone.”
Upon the death of of the Very Reverend Canon Edgard De Laet.
PDF • “Standard Gregorian Chants for Schools, Churches, Seminaries, & Convents” (1946) —123 pages
Until a few days ago, I knew nothing of this (extremely rare) book. Now it’s been scanned and uploaded—free to all.
The “Word of the Father” Chord: Theology and Harmony Meet at Christmas
It is fitting that the most exquisite chord in Adeste Fideles coincides with the most profound line of theology.