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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

    Buckfast Abbey Weighs In
    Dom John Stéphan was a Benedictine monk of Buckfast Abbey in South Devon, England. On 4 February 1933, he published this interesting letter in THE TABLET. Have you seen the exterior of Buckfast Abbey? It’s beyond gorgeous. I doubt there’s a more arresting Abbey in the entire world. Dom Stéphan’s letter is concerning this momentous collection, which our organization obtained, scanned, and uploaded.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Responsorial Psalm Fauxbourdon?
    When it comes to singing Responsorial Psalms in Fauxbourdon, what does this sound like in practice? Can such a thing be done successfully with volunteer choirs in real Catholic parishes? Listen to this audio excerpt from Good Friday and see what you think. Our parish volunteer choir did so well this year—and the ceremonies were ‘standing room only’. For the record, that musical score can be downloaded (completely free of charge) from the flourishing feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Music List • (Easter Sunday, 2026)
    Readers have expressed interest in seeing the ORDER OF MUSIC I created for Easter Sunday—a.k.a. “Ad Missam in die Paschae”—which is 5 April 2026. Please feel free to download it as a PDF file if such a thing interests you. The Fauxbourdon for Communion is particularly moving.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    PDF • “Liturgical Law” (467 Pages)
    On Good Friday during the middle ages, the pope privately recited THE ENTIRE PSALTER. If you don’t believe me, see for yourself by reading this passage by Dom Charles Augustine Bachofen (d. 1943). His famous book—called “Liturgical Law: A Handbook Of The Roman Liturgy”—was published by the Benjamin Herder Book Company, which was the American arm (operating out of St. Louis, Missouri) of one of the world’s most significant Catholic publishers. Dom Charles Augustine Bachofen was born in Switzerland but spent his career between the Benedictine monasteries at Conception (Missouri) and Mount Angel (Oregon). His 1931 masterpiece, Liturgical Law can be downloaded as a PDF file … 467 pages!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Gregorian Chant Quiz” • 24 March 2026
    How well do you know your Gregorian hymns? Do you recognize the tune inserted into the bass line on this score? For many years, we sang the entire Mass in Gregorian chant—and I mean everything. As a result, it would be difficult to find a Gregorian hymn I don’t recognize instantly. Only decades later did I realize (with sadness) that this skill cannot be ‘monetized’… This particular melody is used for a very famous Gregorian hymn, printed in the LIBER USUALIS. Do you recognize it? Send me an email with the correct words, and I promise to tell everybody I meet about your prowess!
    —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

Random Quote

“We have baptized about 240 this year … All the labors of a million persons—would they not be worthwhile if they gained one single soul for Jesus Christ?”

— Father Isaac Jogues, writing to his mother

Recent Posts

  • PDF Download • “Sprinkling Rite” + Psalm Verses
  • Buckfast Abbey Weighs In
  • PDF Download • “Catholic Hymnal & Service Book” (632 Pages)
  • PDF • “Liturgical Law” (467 Pages)
  • Gregorian Chant … with Organ Accompaniment?

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