Views from the Choir Loft

Aurelio Porfiri

Renowned as composer, conductor, theorist, author, pedagogue, and organist, Aurelio Porfiri has served the Church on multiple continents at the highest levels. Born and raised in Italy, he currently serves as Director of Choral Activities and Composer in Residence for Santa Rosa de Lima School (Macao, China). Read more.

Aurelio Porfiri · October 5, 2015

Something Unexpected

Music is not and cannot be neutral.

Aurelio Porfiri · July 29, 2015

“When You See Rome, You Will Lose Your Faith.”

Only the blind can avoid facing this reality: the biggest liturgical crisis is in Rome.

Aurelio Porfiri · June 13, 2015

Optimists & Pessimists

There was a standard commonly accepted, so what was strange and of out of place felt that way.

Aurelio Porfiri · April 29, 2015

Music That Hurts

“Was it not jealousy for the honor of thy house that consumed me? Was it not uttered against thee, the reproach I bore?”

Aurelio Porfiri · March 17, 2015

The Real Enemy: Mediocrity

“Real liturgy is for daring hearts, not for uninspired mediocrities.” —Aurelio Porfiri

Aurelio Porfiri · March 3, 2015

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

We should be more and more convinced that the Propers are “healthier” than alternative songs…

Aurelio Porfiri · January 27, 2015

Understanding

“Immanentism means there is no reality beyond what we know…” —Aurelio Porfiri

Aurelio Porfiri · January 20, 2015

Showing Off During Mass

“Many years ago I had a spiritual director that gave me a lesson that I have never forgotten…” —Aurelio Porfiri

Aurelio Porfiri · January 12, 2015

The Verge Of The Abyss

“Fellow church musicians, rejoice and be glad!” —Aurelio Porfiri

Aurelio Porfiri · January 5, 2015

L’Anima Mia Ha Sete Sung By Music School In Rome

Recorded for Vatican Radio with organist Aurelio Porfiri. Conducted by Sister Dolores Aguirre.

Aurelio Porfiri · December 29, 2014

Video: “Make Me To Know Your Ways, O Lord”

A hauntingly beautiful composition by Aurelio Porfiri. How wonderful to hear God’s praises resound in Macau, China!

Aurelio Porfiri · December 22, 2014

Remembering Domenico Cardinal Bartolucci

My teacher and inspiration…

Aurelio Porfiri · December 15, 2014

Risuoni La Mia Bocca

Liturgical song composed in honor of Saint Cecilia and performed in Rome.

Aurelio Porfiri · December 8, 2014

A Meeting With Angela Ambrogetti

In Rome, Aurelio Porfiri interviews a respected Vaticanist about the Pope, Curia, and more.

Aurelio Porfiri · December 1, 2014

Exclusive Interview • Msgr. Valentino Miserachs (Basilica of Saint Mary Major, Rome)

“What is the role of Liturgical Music?”

Music List • (5th Sunday of Lent)

Readers have expressed interest in seeing the ORDER OF MUSIC I created for this coming Sunday, which is the 5th Sunday of Lent (22 March 2026). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. Traditionally, this Sunday was called ‘Passion’ Sunday. Starting in 1956, certain church leaders attempted rename both ‘Passion’ Sunday and ‘Palm’ Sunday—but it didn’t work. For example, Monsignor Frederick McManus tried to get people to call PALM SUNDAY “Second Passion Sunday”—but the faithful rejected that. I encourage all the readers to visit the feasts website, where the Propria Missae may be downloaded completely free of charge.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Music List • (Holy Thursday, 2026)

Readers have expressed interest in seeing the ORDER OF MUSIC I created for Holy Thursday, which is 2 April 2026. If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. I’m not sure I’ve ever heard a more piercingly beautiful INTROIT, and I have come to absolutely love the SATB version of ‘Ubi cáritas’ we are singing (joined by our burgeoning children’s choir). I encourage all the readers to visit the feasts website, where the Propria Missae may be downloaded completely free of charge.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“O Escam Viatorum” • (Holy Thursday)

When I was very young, I erroneously believed the four psalms provided by the 1957 Liber Usualis—for Communion on Holy Thursday—were the “correct” music to sing on that first day of the TRIDUUM SACRUM. Those four psalms are: Psalm 22 (Dóminus regit me et nihil mihi déerit); Psalm 71 (Deus judícium tuum regi da); Psalm 103 (Bénedic ánima méa); and Psalm 150 (Laudáte Dóminum in sanctis ejus). It turns out I was way out in left field! While nothing forbids singing those psalms, many other options are equally valid. Our volunteer parish choir will sing this COMMUNION PIECE (joined by our burgeoning children’s choir) on Holy Thursday during Holy Communion. Needless to say, this will happen after the proper antiphon from the GRADUALE ROMANUM has been sung.

—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

Stumped by “Episcopalian Hymnal” (1910)

Some consider Songs of Syon (1910) the greatest Episcopalian hymnal ever printed. As a Roman Catholic, I have no right to weigh in one way or the other. However, this particular page has me stumped. I just know I’ve heard that tune somewhere! If you can help, please email me. I’m talking about the text which begins: “This is the day the Lord hath made; In unbeclouded light array’d.” The book is by George Ratcliffe Woodward, and its complete title is: Songs of Syon: A Collection of Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs. Back in 2016, Corpus Christi Watershed scanned and uploaded this insanely rare book. For years our website was the sole place one could download it as a PDF file.

—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