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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

Alfred Calabrese • Article Archive

Dr. Alfred Calabrese is a conductor, educator, composer, scholar, and church musician. Having worked in academia for two decades, he felt called to enter full-time work in the Catholic Church, and since 2007 has directed the music at Saint Rita Catholic Church. He and his wife live in Dallas, TX. They have two grown children. —Read full biography (with photographs).

Dr. Alfred Calabrese · January 19, 2020

Is It Time To Stop Singing The Propers?

I know how difficult it can be to introduce chant to a Novus Ordo parish.

Follow the Discussion on Facebook

Dr. Alfred Calabrese · August 29, 2018

Saving the Church, One Choir at a Time

On the ground in our parishes and in our choirs is where the truth lies. Let us not retreat.

Dr. Alfred Calabrese · July 4, 2018

Of Estate Sales, Prayers, and Mass Attendance

I started to realize how little time we spend thinking about these things…

Dr. Alfred Calabrese · January 30, 2018

Repetition at the School Mass: “Do it again!”

Grown up people are not strong enough to exult in monotony.

Dr. Alfred Calabrese · November 8, 2017

The Real Reason We Sing

Let’s not make this about ourselves.

Dr. Alfred Calabrese · September 18, 2017

Five Ways To Make Dogma “Live Loudly Within You”

Thank you, Senator Feinstein!

Dr. Alfred Calabrese · May 25, 2017

Josquin Desprez • A Marian Masterpiece

Josquin surely belongs in the pantheon of history’s most important composers.

Dr. Alfred Calabrese · May 3, 2017

Kids Are Colorblind But Adults Are Not

Adults with an agenda teach children their own biases.

Dr. Alfred Calabrese · April 27, 2017

Is This Any Way to Pray at Mass?

My daughter freaked out when I told her this.

Dr. Alfred Calabrese · February 23, 2017

7 Points • “The Joy of Lent”

Does Lent really put people in a bad mood?

Dr. Alfred Calabrese · February 16, 2017

The Pedagogy of the School Mass Liturgy

The weekly school Mass may be the only Mass some students ever attend.

Dr. Alfred Calabrese · December 1, 2016

Nostalgia Is Not Rigid

I don’t think young people (or most people, frankly) are drawn to the pre-conciliar Mass because of nostalgia.

Dr. Alfred Calabrese · August 31, 2016

Has Our Catholic Culture Been Completely Dismantled?

Art is not a form of propaganda; it is a form of truth.

Dr. Alfred Calabrese · June 30, 2016

The Positive Impact Of Parish Events

These things must begin at the parish level.

Dr. Alfred Calabrese · March 10, 2016

Has The Church Rejected Her Inheritance?

The richness of liturgy and music should never be abandoned.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    PDF • “Music List” (Xmas Midnight Mass)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for Christmas Midnight Mass (“Ad Missam In Nocte”). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The ENTRANCE CHANT is simple, but quite beautiful. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are available at the feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF • “Music List” (4th Sunday of Advent)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 21 December 2025, which is the 4th Sunday of Advent (Year A). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The ENTRANCE CHANT is the famous “Roráte Coeli” and the fauxbourdon setting of the COMMUNION is exquisite. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are available at the feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF • Our Lady of Guadalupe (12 Dec.)
    The Responsorial Psalm may be downloaded as a PDF file (organist & vocalist) for 12 December, which is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. When it comes to the formulary for this Mass, it’s astounding how infrequently it’s included in official books. Prior to Vatican II, one had to search through “supplemental material” printed in the back of hand-missals and graduals. But since 1970, the feast is virtually nonexistent. According to the UNIVERSAL KALENDAR, 12 December is the “Feast of Saint Jane Frances De Chantal, Religious” (Die 12 decembris: S. Ioannæ Franciscæ de Chantal, religiosæ). Why should that feast overpower Our Lady of Guadalupe? In the United States, OLG is celebrated—and I’d assume in Mexico, Central America, South America, and Canada—but, as I said, the Propria Missae are virtually impossible to locate. I possess only three books which mention this feast.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    What does this mean? “Pre-Urbanite”
    One of the things informed critics have frequently praised vis-à-vis the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal has to do with its careful treatment of the ancient hymns vs. the “Urbanite” hymns. This topic I had believed to be fairly well understood—but I was wrong. The reason I thought people knew about it is simple; in the EDITIO VATICANA 1908 Graduale Romanum (as well as the 1913 Liber Antiphonarius) both versions are provided, right next to each other. You can see what I mean by examining this PDF file from the Roman Gradual of 1908. Most people still don’t understand that the Urbanite versions were never adopted by any priests or monks who sang the Divine Office each day. Switching would have required a massive amount of effort and money, because all the books would need to be changed.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Santo Santo Santo”
    Those searching for a dignified, brief, simple, bright setting of SANCTUS in Spanish (“Santo Santo Santo”) are invited to download this Setting in honor of Saint John Brébeuf (organist & vocalist). I wonder if there would be any interest in me recording a rehearsal video for this piece.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Pope Leo XIV on Sacred Music
    On 5 December 2025, Pope Leo XIV made this declaration with regard to liturgical music.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

Saint Phillip Neri founded a religious congregation called the Oratory. Animuccia was involved from early on and remained “maestro di capella” of the Oratory until his death. The Oratory was able to attract many musicians who volunteered their services, including the famous singer Francesco Soto de Langa from the Capella Sistina, the composer Palestrina, and probably the composer Tomás Luis de Victoria who lived in the same house as St. Phillip Neri for five years.

— Source Unknown

Recent Posts

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  • PDF • “Music List” (Xmas Midnight Mass)
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