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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

Dr. Peter Kwasniewski

A graduate of Thomas Aquinas College (B.A. in Liberal Arts) and The Catholic University of America (M.A. and Ph.D. in Philosophy), Dr. Peter Kwasniewski is currently Professor at Wyoming Catholic College. He is also a published and performed composer, especially of sacred music. Read more.

Dr. Peter Kwasniewski · December 18, 2014

A Fond Farewell

Changes in my personal life have made it necessary for me to curtail my blogging activity, and so this blog will be my last—at least for a time.

Dr. Peter Kwasniewski · December 11, 2014

The Importance of Singing Carols

Let us make a point of singing good carols as much as we can throughout the whole Christmas season, rather than imitating a world that stops celebrating on December 26th.

Dr. Peter Kwasniewski · December 4, 2014

Resurgent in the Midst of Crisis

A new book for those who are struggling to understand what has happened to the noble liturgy of the Roman Catholic Church and how we might find our way out of this crisis.

Dr. Peter Kwasniewski · November 27, 2014

Advent Meditation

As we turn the corner to Advent, we might draw some inspiration from Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.

Dr. Peter Kwasniewski · November 20, 2014

Why Are the Readings Not Sung at Mass?

The ancient and beautiful practice of chanting readings at Mass has largely disappeared in the Ordinary Form. What happened?

Dr. Peter Kwasniewski · November 13, 2014

Difference between the Two Priesthoods

What exactly is the difference between the universal priesthood of the baptized and the ministerial priesthood of the ordained?

Dr. Peter Kwasniewski · November 6, 2014

How Liberalism Undermines Itself

Freedom for all sounds nice in theory, but how does it work in practice?

Dr. Peter Kwasniewski · October 30, 2014

Music Never Lies

Every piece of music, great or small, contains an indefinable message of the soul, penetrating, communicative, formative.

Dr. Peter Kwasniewski · October 23, 2014

The Use and Abuse of the “Via Media”

Everyone likes to think themselves at the golden mean between two extremes. The problem is, this often becomes a substitute for real thinking, and prevents us from striving for the best.

Dr. Peter Kwasniewski · October 16, 2014

In Defense of the Organ Postlude

Is the organ postlude after Mass a loud distraction that stands in the way of making one’s thanksgiving? Or is it a wholly fitting conclusion to an act of public divine worship?

Dr. Peter Kwasniewski · October 9, 2014

Death and Rebirth of Monastic Life

The death of the monastic life after the Second Vatican Council was the most devastating blow the Church received, and renewal will come from its rebirth.

Dr. Peter Kwasniewski · October 2, 2014

Lumen Gentium on Summorum Pontificum

‘Lumen Gentium’ was given to us fifty years ago, but its provisions still apply—and they are relevant to the availability of the Extraordinary Form.

Dr. Peter Kwasniewski · September 25, 2014

Confusions about Inculturation

A false notion of inculturation has allowed for a vast profanation and paganization of Catholic life and worship.

Dr. Peter Kwasniewski · September 18, 2014

Have We Lost Our Sensitivity to Music?

Educated people in the 19th century feared the influence of opera on moral character. We seem to have lost any sense of music’s power to corrupt us.

Dr. Peter Kwasniewski · September 11, 2014

Breaking News: The Communion Hymn is an Optional Add-On

Reading the General Instruction of the Roman Missal can bring many surprises. One of them has to do with the ubiquitous communion hymn.

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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

“These liturgists protest that the choir must be encouraged, but in the same breath we are told its purpose is to lead the congregation in the singing of hymns and other unison music. These directions from non-musicians who have never created a musical sound—let alone direct a choir—are the cause of consternation among practicing musicians, both instrumentalists and singers.”

— Monsignor Richard J. Schuler (30 November 1967)

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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