Views from the Choir Loft

Corpus Christi Watershed

Corpus Christi Watershed · May 14, 2018

Serving Latin Mass • Learn from FSSP Seminarians!

Sensational opportunity for Roman Catholic boys of all ages!

Corpus Christi Watershed · April 30, 2018

(Transcript) • Archbishop Sample’s Sermon from the National Shrine Solemn Pontifical Mass

“I myself first discovered the Traditional Latin Mass as a college student.” —Most Rev’d Sample

Corpus Christi Watershed · April 23, 2018

Opportunity to study Polyphony in San Francisco

Dr. Michael Alan Anderson is a superb director.

Corpus Christi Watershed · March 29, 2018

FSSP Palm Sunday (2018) • “Pre-1955 Rubrics”

Rome gave permission this year to a few parishes to use the “Pre-1955” Holy Week.

Corpus Christi Watershed · January 15, 2018

Revealed • Sacred Music Symposium Dates!

…and a marvelous surprise about who’s coming…

Corpus Christi Watershed · January 12, 2018

St. Therese Carmelite School • Bright Ray Of Hope!

Carmelite Friars teaching full time, Carmelite Spirituality, Euclid Geometry, Latin beginning in the second grade…

Corpus Christi Watershed · December 19, 2017

Six Videos • Gregorian Chant (2017)

…produced in association with Saint John the Beloved (McLean, Virginia)

Corpus Christi Watershed · October 12, 2017

Saturday! • Bishop Serratelli to offer Solemn EF Mass

Bishop Arthur J. Serratelli has several times served as chairman of the USCCB Committee on Divine Worship.

Corpus Christi Watershed · October 9, 2017

PDF Download • Responsorial Psalms (502 Pages)

Composer Brian Michael Page releases his work of 22 years!

Corpus Christi Watershed · September 11, 2017

Seven Observations About The Latin Mass

“Celebrating ten years of Summorum Pontificum”

Corpus Christi Watershed · September 8, 2017

Theodore Marier • “Good Hymns for Worship” (1957)

Fascinating transcripts dealing with polyphony (“old and new”) and many other topics.

Corpus Christi Watershed · September 5, 2017

Video • Rehearsal Excerpt with Kevin Allen

Filmed at the 2017 Sacred Music Symposium

Corpus Christi Watershed · July 25, 2017

Video • FSSP Altar Server Training Camp

The FSSP seminarians exceeded all expectations!

Corpus Christi Watershed · July 15, 2017

Benedict XVI’s Message At Cardinal Meisner’s Funeral

“When, on his last morning, Cardinal Meisner did not appear at Mass, he was found dead in his room.”

Corpus Christi Watershed · July 10, 2017

PDF Download • (2,292 Pages) Choral Music in Latin & English by Richard Rice

A stunning announcement by Richard Rice!

New Bulletin Article • “21 September 2025”

My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 21 September 2025) discusses some theological items—supported by certain verses in ancient Catholic hymns—and ends by explaining why certain folks become delirious with jealousy when they observe feats by Monsignor Ronald Knox.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Cheap! Cheap! Cheap!

It’s always amusing to see old diocesan newspapers—in huge capital letters—advertising the Cheapest Catholic Paper in the United States. The correspondent who sent this to me added: “I can think of certain composers, published by large companies in our own day, who could truthfully brag about the most tawdry compositions in the world!” I wonder what she could have meant by such a cryptic comment…

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • Dom Murray Harmonies

Along with so many others, I have deep respect for Dom Gregory Gregory Murray, who produced this clever harmonization (PDF) of “O SANCTISSIMA.” It’s always amazed me that Dom Gregory—a truly inspired composer—was so confused when it came to GREGORIAN CHANT. Throughout his life, he published contradictory statements, veering back-and-forth like a weather vane. Toward the end of his life, he declared: “I see clearly that the need for reform in liturgical music arose, not in the 18th and 19th centuries, but a thousand years earlier—in the 8th and 9th centuries, or even before that. The abuses began, not with Mozart and Haydn, but with those over-enthusiastic medieval musicians who developed the elaborate and flamboyant Gregorian Chant.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Karl Keating • “Canonization Questions”

We were sent an internet statement (screenshot) that’s garnered significant attention, in which KARL KEATING (founder of Catholic Answers) speaks about whether canonizations are infallible. Mr. Keating seems unaware that canonizations are—in the final analysis—a theological opinion. They are not infallible, as explained in this 2014 article by a priest (with a doctorate in theology) who worked for multiple popes. Mr. Keating says: “I’m unaware of such claims arising from any quarter until several recent popes disliked by these Traditionalists were canonized, including John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul II. Usually Paul VI receives the most opprobrium.” Mr. Keating is incorrect; e.g. Father John Vianney, several centuries ago, taught clearly that canonizations are not infallible. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen would be another example, although clearly much more recent than Saint John Vianney.

—Corpus Christi Watershed

Vatican II Changed Wedding Propers?

It’s often claimed that the wedding propers were changed after Vatican II. As a matter of fact, that is a false claim. The EDITIO VATICANA propers (Introit: Deus Israel) remained the same after Vatican II. However, a new set of propers (Introit: Ecce Deus) was provided for optional use. The same holds true for the feast of Pope Saint Gregory the Great on 3 September: the 1943 propers (Introit: Si díligis me) were provided for optional use, but the traditional PROPRIA MISSAE (Introit: Sacerdótes Dei) were retained; they weren’t gotten rid of. The Ordo Cantus Missae (1970) makes this crystal clear, as does the Missal itself. There was an effort made in the post-conciliar years to eliminate so-called “Neo-Gregorian” chants, but (contrary to popular belief) most were retained: cf. the feast of Christ the King, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, and so forth.

—Corpus Christi Watershed

Solemn “Salve Regina” (Chant)

How many “S” words can you think of using alliteration? How about Schwann Solemn Salve Score? You can download the SOLEMN SALVE REGINA in Gregorian Chant. The notation follows the official rhythm (EDITIO VATICANA). Canon Jules Van Nuffel, choirmaster of the Cathedral of Saint Rumbold, composed this accompaniment for it (although some feel it isn’t his best work).

—Corpus Christi Watershed