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Corpus Christi Watershed

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

Andrew Motyka • Article Archive

Andrew Motyka is the Archdiocesan Director of Liturgical Music and Cathedral Music for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.—Read full biography (with photographs).

Andrew R. Motyka · April 15, 2015

“Proper Of The Mass” (Ignatius Press) • Part 1 of 7

Fr. Samuel Weber is undoubtedly one of the modern masters of setting English chant.

Andrew R. Motyka · March 18, 2015

Garbage in, Garbage out

“Lex orandi, lex credendi” works both ways.

Andrew R. Motyka · February 24, 2015

Permission Needed to Replace the Propers?—(5 of 7)

The practical end of formal approval.

Andrew R. Motyka · February 3, 2015

Truth, Beauty, and Pop Culture, Part 1

In which I take unpopular stances about popular things.

Andrew R. Motyka · January 7, 2015

The American Idolization of Liturgy

Sometimes I wish people didn’t have so many opinions about the liturgy.

Andrew R. Motyka · December 24, 2014

Only the Dawn

Beginning with Christmas, we celebrate a new era…

Andrew R. Motyka · December 3, 2014

Holy Days of Obligation: Immaculate Conception

A few questions about obligation to attend Mass on the Immaculate Conception.

Andrew R. Motyka · November 12, 2014

Eyes on Your Own Paper

The importance of focusing on our own work.

Andrew R. Motyka · November 5, 2014

Prepared to Receive: the Importance of Disposition

Warm-ups and reverent liturgy.

Andrew R. Motyka · October 15, 2014

Weddings: Some Practical Advice – The End and the New Beginning

The rest of the Wedding liturgy, and some miscellaneous advice.

Andrew R. Motyka · October 1, 2014

Weddings: Some Practical Advice – Word and Vows

Liturgy of the Word and the Rite of Marriage.

Andrew R. Motyka · September 2, 2014

Weddings: Some Practical Advice – The End of the Beginning, Part 2

Finally getting through the Introductory Rites of the Nuptial Mass.

Andrew R. Motyka · August 27, 2014

Weddings: Some Practical Advice – The Very Beginning, Part 1

Some thoughts on the Introductory Rites for the Nuptial Mass.

Andrew R. Motyka · August 20, 2014

Weddings: Some Practical Advice – Introduction

A curmudgeonly introduction to a series on wedding advice.

Andrew R. Motyka · August 13, 2014

Important Resources for Liturgical Reform (6 of 7)

Some free resources for Cantor, Choir, and Organ for furthering the liturgical reform in your parish.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    PDF Download • “For Pentecost Sunday”
    Yesterday morning, I recorded myself singing the ENTRANCE CHANT for Pentecost Sunday while simultaneously accompanying myself on the pipe organ. Click here to see how that came out. At the end of the antiphon, there’s a triple Allelúja and I just love the chord at the end of the 2nd iteration. The organ accompaniment—along with the musical score for singers—can be downloaded free of charge at the flourishing feasts website. For the record, the antiphon on Pentecost Sunday doesn’t come from a psalm; it comes from the book of Wisdom.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Organ Accompaniment”
    Over the past few years, I’ve been harmonizing all the vernacular plainsong Introit settings by the CHAUMONOT COMPOSERS GROUP. This coming Sunday—10 May 2026—is the 6th Sunday of Easter (Year A). The following declaration will probably smack of “blowing my own horn.” However, I’d rank this accompaniment as my best yet. In this rehearsal video, I attempt to sing it while simultaneously accompanying myself on the pipe organ. The musical score [for singers] as well as my organ accompaniment can be downloaded free of charge from the flourishing feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Gregorian Chant Quiz” • 4 May 2026
    A few days ago, the CORPUS CHRISTI WATERSHED Facebook page posted this Gregorian Chant quiz regarding a rubric for the SEQUENCE for the feast of Corpus Christi: “Lauda Sion Salvatórem.” There is no audience more intelligent than ours—yet surprisingly nobody has been able to guess the rubric. Drop me an email with the right answer, and I’ll affirm your brilliance to everyone I encounter!
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “Thee” + “Thou” + “Thine”
    Few musicians realize that various English translations of Sacred Scripture were granted formal approval by the USCCB and the Vatican for liturgical use in the United States of America. But don’t take my word for it! Here are four documents proving this, which you can examine with your own eyes. Some believe the words “Thine” and “Thou” and “Thee” were forbidden after Vatican II—but that’s incorrect. For example, they’re found in the English translation of the ‘Our Father’ at Mass. Moreover, the Revised Standard Version (Catholic Edition) mentioned in those four documents employs “Thine” and “Thou” and “Thee.” It was published with a FOREWORD by Westminster’s Roman Catholic Archbishop (John Cardinal Heenan).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Reminder” — Month of May (2026)
    On a daily basis, I speak to people who don’t realize we publish a free newsletter (although they’ve followed our blog for years). We have no endowment, no major donors, no savings, and refuse to run annoying ads. As a result, our mailing list is crucial to our survival. It couldn’t be easier to subscribe! Just scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Simplified Version • “Canon in D” (Pachelbel)
    I published an article on 11 November 2023 called Wedding March For The Lazy Organist, which rather offhandedly made reference to a simplified version I created in 2007 for Pachelbel’s Canon. I often use it as a PROCESSIONAL for weddings and quinceañeras. Many organists say they “hate” Pachelbel’s Canon. But I love it. I think it’s bright and beautiful. I created that ‘simplified version’ for musicians coming to grips with playing the pipe organ. It can be downloaded as a free PDF if you visit Andrea Leal’s article dated 15 August 2022: Manuals Only: Organ Interludes Based on Plainsong. Specifically, it is page 84 in that collection—generously offered as a free PDF download. Johann Pachelbel (d. 1706) was a renowned German organist, violinist, teacher, and composer of over 500 works. A friend of Bach’s family, he taught Johann Christoph Bach (Sebastian Bach’s eldest brother) and lived in his house. Those who read Pachelbel’s biography will notice his connection to two German cities adopted as famous hymn tune names: EISENACH and ERFURT.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“I vividly remember going to church with him in Bournemouth. He was a devout Roman Catholic and it was soon after the Church had changed the liturgy (from Latin to English). My grandfather obviously didn’t agree with this and made all the responses very loudly in Latin while the rest of the congregation answered in English. I found the whole experience quite excruciating, but my grandfather was oblivious. He simply had to do what he believed to be right.”

— Simon Tolkien (2003)

Recent Posts

  • Entrance Chant • Before or After Opening Hymn?
  • “Unfair Characterization” • (But Good Question)
  • “Thee” + “Thou” + “Thine”
  • PDF Download • “For Pentecost Sunday”
  • “Reminder” — Month of May (2026)

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