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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

Corpus Christi Watershed

Corpus Christi Watershed · March 15, 2026

“Breviary Editors Did It First!” • Omitting Verses?

A reader says: “If a verse ends on a question mark, it might make sense to sing the verse that follows.”

Corpus Christi Watershed · February 27, 2026

Extreme Unction

Gorgeous depiction of this Sacrament found in an ancient manuscript.

Corpus Christi Watershed · February 24, 2026

Like! Like! Like!

You’ll never guess who gave us a “like” on Facebook!

Corpus Christi Watershed · February 18, 2026

(Ash Wednesday) • Medieval Illumination Depicting the Distribution of Ashes

Discovered by those who edited the third edition of the Campion Missal.

Corpus Christi Watershed · February 13, 2026

Pope Paul VI • “Sacrificium Laudis” (15 Aug 1966)

“What words or melodies could ever replace the forms of Catholic devotion you have used until now?” —Pope Saint Paul VI

Corpus Christi Watershed · February 5, 2026

“Pipe Organ Interlude During Funerals?” • (Reader Feedback)

Before I say one word, I should probably…

Corpus Christi Watershed · January 30, 2026

💲 5.00 💵

Can you spare a few dollars each month to help us survive?

Corpus Christi Watershed · January 27, 2026

(January 2026) • “Children Singing Plainsong”

There’s something light and heavenly about children’s voices.

Corpus Christi Watershed · January 20, 2026

Choose Carefully!

You can only choose one…

Corpus Christi Watershed · January 17, 2026

“Information Requested About Hymnals”

The following message was sent to us by a reader…

Corpus Christi Watershed · December 30, 2025

Card. Heenan on Ronald Knox: “Perhaps the Church’s greatest figure of the 20th century.”

“Although renowned as a preacher and scholar, the real greatness of Knox lay in his holiness of life.” —Cardinal Heenan (Archbishop of Westminster)

Corpus Christi Watershed · December 16, 2025

“He never had a single day of conflict with anyone.”

Upon the death of of the Very Reverend Canon Edgard De Laet.

Corpus Christi Watershed · December 6, 2025

Pope Leo XIV on Sacred Music

On 5 December 2025, the pope said…

Corpus Christi Watershed · December 5, 2025

(5 Dec. 2025) • Pope Leo XIV Speaks on Liturgical Music

“In the liturgy, in particular, singing is never a ‘soundtrack’, a simple backdrop, but is intended to lift the soul…” —Pope Leo XIV

Corpus Christi Watershed · November 27, 2025

“Translations Approved for Liturgical Use”

There are three (3) translations of the Bible which can be used in the sacred liturgy.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    PDF Download • “Sprinkling Rite”
    Liturgical reformers who gained power after Vatican II frequently caused great suffering to musicians. With the stroke of a pen, they sometimes make changes that would require thousands—or even millions—of man hours (work undertaken by composers and editors). The Sprinkling Rite during Eastertide is but one tiny example. The version given in that PDF document was the original melody for Roman Missal, Third Edition. Some still prefer that version. However, at the last moment, an “unknown hand” tinkered with a few notes in the antiphon. Those who examine the current edition can verify this with their own eyes.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    ‘Sarum’ Good Friday?
    Plainsong of the Roman Rite has many variants—i.e. slight ‘variations’ or ‘alterations’ made to the ancient melodies. Variants often thrive in particular religious orders. Likewise, before Henry VIII broke away from the Catholic Church, Gregorian Chant variants were frequently associated with individual cathedrals in England: Hereford, Lincoln, Salisbury, and so forth. In the early 20th century, the (Anglican) organist at Westminster Abbey married “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” to this beautiful variant melody from England. Those who sing Gregorian Chant on Good Friday will recognize the melody. What do you think of this pairing?
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Eb Organ Postlude”
    Gustav Adolf Merkel (d. 1885) was a German organist, teacher, and composer. Although a Lutheran himself, he held the appointment at the (Roman Catholic) Cathedral of Dresden from 1864 until his death. You can download his Organ Postlude in E-Flat, which I like very much. He has an interesting way of marking the pedal notes. What do you think?
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “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
    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

Random Quote

In a meeting that took place on 23 July 2014, Pope Benedict told Father Josef Bisig, FSSP, that “Pope Saint John Paul II had the firm intention to personally bestow the episcopal consecration on an SSPX priest on 15 August 1988.”

— Libre entretien sur l’été 1988, Sedes Sapientiæ, issue 160, summer 2022

Recent Posts

  • PDF Download • “Sprinkling Rite”
  • ‘Sarum’ Good Friday?
  • Gregorian Chant • The “Correct” Way of Singing ?
  • PDF Download • “Eb Organ Postlude”
  • Fulton J. Sheen • “24-Hour Catechism”

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