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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

Aristotle A. Esguerra

Aristotle A. Esguerra has served in the Diocese of Madison since 2009 as music director at the churches of St. Mary, Pine Bluff and St. Ignatius, Mount Horeb, and as the chant instructor to the Cistercian Nuns of Valley of Our Lady Monastery, Prairie du Sac. Read more.

Aristotle A. Esguerra · February 14, 2015

Modal Responsorial Psalms & Gospel Acclamations

283 pages, softcover • View Table of Contents Click here to purchase this bound book. You can also download the entire book [PDF]. Complete Psalms and Gospel Acclamations (Years A, B, C, and ABC) for Sundays, Solemnities, and Feasts (including Chrism Mass and Extended Pentecost Vigil). Also included are Nuptial and Funeral Masses.  Features: Durable […]

Aristotle A. Esguerra · June 17, 2013

Singing Scripture throughout Mass: Why We Must and How We Might

For a long while I’ve been ruminating on the nature of the Liturgy, Scripture as found in the Mass Propers, the Golden Calf narrative (thanks to Ratzinger’s Spirit of the Liturgy), Good Friday tradition, and episcopal authority. Here are some semi-organized thoughts on the matter.

Aristotle A. Esguerra · April 29, 2013

A preview of Modal Responsorial Psalms and Gospel Acclamations: Round-note SATB Edition

In the near future Corpus Christi Watershed will be releasing the round-note SATB edition of Modal Responsorial Psalms and Gospel Acclamations See a sneak peek of the settings for the Extended Pentecost Vigil here.

Aristotle A. Esguerra · March 25, 2013

The Cross of Christ and Liturgical Language

To effectively defend the use of the liturgical languages of the Latin Rite in the rite’s mostly vernacular Ordinary-Form expressions, we must look to the Cross.

Aristotle A. Esguerra · March 4, 2013

An Ordinary-Form Missa Cantata (almost)

Moving towards actually enacting what the Church asks in regard to the singing of the words of the Mass given the Year of Faith theme for our diocese. An example of how this can be pulled off with already-existing resources and a few dedicated individuals.

Aristotle A. Esguerra · February 25, 2013

A Deacon on Devotional and Liturgical Music

Just because devotional music isn’t meant for liturgy doesn’t mean that it’s bad per se. A deacon’s brief observations between devotional and liturgical music.

Aristotle A. Esguerra · February 18, 2013

First Impressions of Bishop Sample’s Pastoral Letter on Sacred Music

A bishop issues diocesan-wide directives on the role of music in the liturgy. A look at some of the more noteworthy instructions.

Aristotle A. Esguerra · January 12, 2013

Aristotle A. Esguerra

Aristotle has served since 2009 as music director of two churches . . .

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Heretical Hymns
    As a public service, perhaps a theologian ought to begin assembling a heretical hymns collection. A liturgical book—for funerals!—published by the Collegeville Press contains this monstrosity by someone named “Delores Dufner.” I can’t tell what the lyrics are trying to convey—can you? I detest ‘hymns’ with lines such the one she came up with: “Let the thirsty come and drink, Share My wine and bread.” Somehow, the publication was granted an IMPRIMATUR by Most Rev’d Jerome Hanus (bishop of Saint Cloud) on 16 August 1989. It’s a nice tune, but paired with a nasty text!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    💲 5.00 💵
    Our tiny 501(c)3 nonprofit organization exists solely by generous readers who donate $5.00 per month. We have no endowment; we have no major donors; we run no advertisements; we have no savings. A donor wrote to us: “I so appreciate all you do and have done, and your generosity is unprecedented. I am honored to be able to make a monthly contribution.” Another monthly donor says: “Thank you for everything CC Watershed does. We are able to add so much solemnity to Holy Mass due to the resources made available here.” Can you spare a few dollars each month to help us survive?
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Dom Pothier • Photo from 1904
    Dom Paul Cagin, in a 1904 publication (L’oeuvre de Solesmes dans la restauration du chant grégorien) made sure to include a beautiful image of Dom Pothier, the legendary abbot of St-Wandrille. Also shown is a very young Dom André Mocquereau. Auguste Pécoul—considered the spiritual “son” of Abbat Prosper Guéranger of Solesmes—wrote as follows on 24 June 1901: “To forestall any confusion, let us remember that there is just one Gregorian notation—that restored, according to the ancient manuscripts, by the eminent Abbot of Saint-Wandrille, Dom Pothier.” ✠
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “Reminder” — Month of Febr. (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
    PDF Chart • “Plainsong Rhythm”
    I will go to my grave without understanding the lack of curiosity so many people have about the rhythmic modifications made by Dom André Mocquereau. For example, how can someone examine this single sheet comparison chart and at a minimum not be curious about the differences? Dom Mocquereau basically creates a LONG-SHORT LONG-SHORT rhythmic pattern—in spite of enormous and overwhelming manuscript evidence to the contrary. That’s why some scholars referred to his method as “Neo-Mensuralist” or “Neo-Mensuralism.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF • “O Come All Ye Faithful” (Simplified)
    I admire the harmonization of “Adeste Fideles” by David Willcocks (d. 2015), who served as director of the Royal College of Music (London, England). In 2025, I was challenged to create a simplified arrangement for organists incapable of playing the authentic version at tempo. The result was this simplified keyboard arrangement (PDF download) based on the David Willcocks version of “O Come All Ye Faithful.” Feel free to play through it and let me know what you think.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

Re: Low Mass: “It is desirable that in read Masses on Sundays and feast-days, the Gospel and Epistle be read by a lector in the vernacular for the convenience of the faithful.”

— 1958 document, issued under Pope Pius XII

Recent Posts

  • Heretical Hymns
  • Alphabetizing Hymn Titles Inside Hymnals • “Does This Make Any Sense?”
  • Fulton J. Sheen • “24-Hour Catechism”
  • “Reminder” — Month of Febr. (2026)
  • Seminary Music Directors Gather in Houston

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Corpus Christi Watershed is a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to exploring and embodying as our calling the relationship of religion, culture, and the arts. This non-profit organization employs the creative media in service of theology, the Church, and Christian culture for the enrichment and enjoyment of the public.