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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

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 · November 25, 2014

VIDEO • “Why Choralife Is Special”

“Because you don’t need to wait weeks and weeks to receive your orders…”

Aurelio Porfiri · November 21, 2014

New Video In Honor Of Saint Cecilia

“…a church which preserves the memories of my own profession: The Church of St. Cecilia.”

Aurelio Porfiri · October 16, 2014

An Exciting Concert In Rome! — 19 October 2014

Aurelio Porfiri (Composer), Luigi Ciuffa (Conductor), Gianluca Libertucci (Organist)

Aurelio Porfiri · October 14, 2014

VIDEO • Wandering Around During The Sign Of Peace

I don’t know how you feel, but being hugged by unknown people on the basis that they sit next to me is not really the best experience in the world…

Aurelio Porfiri · October 13, 2014

VIDEO • Light And Darkness

Including exclusive interviews with Fr. Corrado Maggioni and Rodolfo Papa.

Aurelio Porfiri · October 13, 2014

VIDEO • A New Mass For A New Era

“Our Archconfraternity is truly grateful to Maestro Aurelio Porfiri for the gift of this marvelous Mass which he has composed.” —Domenico Rotella

Aurelio Porfiri · October 11, 2014

VIDEO • I Am An Elitist

These elite are people who—by means of tireless effort—try to create good art for the benefit of everyone.

Aurelio Porfiri · October 10, 2014

Aurelio Porfiri: Excerpt from “Corpus Domini” Oratorio

Are modern church musicians still composing oratorios? Yes!

Aurelio Porfiri · October 9, 2014

VIDEO • Am I A Disease?

“Reduced to the laical state” vs. “dismissal from the clerical state.”

Aurelio Porfiri · September 23, 2014

Cardinal Lercaro: A Key Player In Liturgical Reform

“This booklet made quite a splash. Even Paul VI had to publicly defend Cardinal Lercaro.” — Aurelio Porfiri

Aurelio Porfiri · September 15, 2014

Unchangeable Things

“What stood out to me was the attention that Bishop Salvado gave to music…”

Aurelio Porfiri · September 9, 2014

A Good Reading

“The thoughts of Fr. Barsotti are not devotional or pious, but essential.” — Aurelio Porfiri.

Aurelio Porfiri · September 2, 2014

When Disobedience Is Not Only Good, But Necessary!

“The majesty of divine worship is not only disapproved by evil men, but defiled and held up to ridicule.” — Pope Gregory XVI

Aurelio Porfiri · August 26, 2014

Tu Es Petrus

A common mistake I find in Catholic literature is the belief that if you defend Pope Francis it means you are against Pope emeritus Benedict XVI, and vice versa.

Aurelio Porfiri · August 19, 2014

Don’t Add Me, Please

If someone tells you “Vatican II wants such-and-such,” ask him where this was said.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Funeral Music “Template” • For Families
    Many have requested the MUSICAL TEMPLATE for funerals we give to families at our parish. The family of the deceased is usually involved in selecting Number 12 on that sheet. This template was difficult to assemble, because the “Ordo Exsequiarum” has never been translated into English, and the assigned chants and hymns are given in different liturgical books (Lectionary, Gradual, Order of Christian Funerals, and so on). Please notify me if you spot errors or broken links. Readers will be particularly interested in some of the plainsong musical settings, which are truly haunting in their beauty.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “To Cover Sin With Smooth Names”
    Monsignor Ronald Knox created several English translations of the PSALTER at the request of the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster. Readers know that the third edition of the Saint Edmund Campion Missal uses a magnificent translation of the ROMAN CANON (and complete Ordo Missae) created in 1950 by Monsignor Knox. What’s interesting is that, when psalms are used as part of the Ordo Missae, he doesn’t simply copy and paste from his other translations. Consider the beautiful turn of phrase he adds to Psalm 140 (which the celebrant prays as he incenses crucifix, relics, and altar): “Lord, set a guard on my mouth, a barrier to fence in my lips, lest my heart turn to thoughts of evil, to cover sin with smooth names.” The 3rd edition of the CAMPION MISSAL is sleek; it fits easily in one’s hand. The print quality is beyond gorgeous. One must see it to believe it! You owe it to yourself—at a minimum—to examine these sample pages from the full-color section.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    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

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

And since it is becoming that holy things be administered in a holy manner, and of all things this sacrifice is the most holy, the Catholic Church, to the end that it might be worthily and reverently offered and received, instituted many centuries ago the holy canon, which is so free from error that it contains nothing that does not in the highest degree savor of a certain holiness and piety and raise up to God the minds of those who offer.

— Council of Trent (1562)

Recent Posts

  • “Pipe Organ Interlude During Funerals?” • (Reader Feedback)
  • Funeral Music “Template” • For Families
  • “To Cover Sin With Smooth Names”
  • Heretical Hymns
  • Alphabetizing Hymn Titles Inside Hymnals • “Does This Make Any Sense?”

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