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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

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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President’s Corner

    Simplified Accompaniment (Easter Hymn)
    Number 36 in the Brébeuf Hymnal is “At the Lamb’s high feast we sing,” an English translation for Ad Cenam Agni Próvidi (which was called “Ad Régias Agni Dapes” starting 1631). As of this morning, you can download a simplified keyboard accompaniment for it. Simple click here and scroll to the bottom. Many organists are forced to serve simultaneously as both CANTOR and ACCOMPANIST. In spite of what some claim, this can be difficult—which explains why choirmasters appreciate these simplified keyboard accompaniments. Sadly, many readers will click that link but forget to scroll to the bottom where the simplified PDF file is located.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Quasi Modo Sunday”
    The Introit for “Quasi Modo Sunday” (12 April 2026) is particularly beautiful. The musical score can be downloaded as a PDF file, and so can the organ accompaniment. The official language of the Catholic Church is Latin (whereas Greek is our mother tongue). Vatican II said Gregorian Chant must be given “first place” under normal circumstances. As a result, some parishes will rightly sing the authentic version. On the other hand, because so many USA dioceses disobey the mandate of Vatican II, some musicians sing plainsong in the vernacular. I have attempted to simultaneously accompany myself on the pipe organ while singing the English version. Although very few take advantage of it, the complete Proprium Missae is posted at the flourishing feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    ‘German’ Introductions for Hymns
    German organ books have an enchanting habit of including introductions for each and every hymn. For example, consider this snazzy example found in a German hymnal published in 1902. In the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal, that melody is called “Laudes Mariae” and was married to Omni Die Dic Mariae, with a popular English translation (“Daily, daily, sing to Mary”) by Father Henry Bittleston, an Oratorian priest. Notice they also added a ‘tailpiece’ or ‘playout’ or postlude at the end—a very German thing to do!
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    PDF Download • “Anima Christi”
    I received a request for an organ accompaniment I created way back in 2007 for the “Anima Christi” Gregorian Chant. You can download this PDF file which has the score in plainsong followed by a keyboard accompaniment. Many melodies have been paired with “Anima Christi” over the centuries, but this is—perhaps—the most common one.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    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

Random Quote

“Glorious among virgins, high above the stars, thou dost nourish at thy breast as a child him who created thee.” (Fortunatus)

— English translation by Dr. Adrian Fortescue (d. 1923)

Recent Posts

  • PDF Download • “Anima Christi”
  • PDF Download • “Rarer Than a Blue Moon” — Side-by-Side English Translation (Pius XII Psalter)
  • Fulton J. Sheen • “24-Hour Catechism”
  • Simplified Accompaniment (Easter Hymn)
  • PDF Download • “Quasi Modo Sunday”

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