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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

Father Friel • Article Archive

Ordained in 2011, Father Friel served as Parochial Vicar at Saint Anselm Church in Northeast Philly before earning a doctorate in liturgical theology at The Catholic University of America. He presently serves as Vocation Director for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.—(Read full biography).

Fr. David Friel · November 11, 2016

The Legacy of Martin of Tours

A Tribute to a Soldier-Saint on Veterans Day

Fr. David Friel · November 6, 2016

A Triptych on Mercy • Reflection I

The Meaning of Mercy

Fr. David Friel · October 30, 2016

The “Cantiones Sacrae” of William Byrd & Thomas Tallis

Why was this 1575 collection a financial failure?

Fr. David Friel · October 27, 2016

New Sacred Music Magazine — “Altare Dei”

Announcing the first issue of a brand new publication focusing on liturgy and sacred music.

Fr. David Friel · October 2, 2016

New Collection of Propers from GIA

The growing market for Mass propers is a sign of promise.

Fr. David Friel · September 25, 2016

Turning Off the Air Conditioning

Taking Advantage of the Natural Beauty that Surrounds Us

Fr. David Friel · September 23, 2016

Dunwoodie Sponsors New Sacred Music Conference

“Gregorian Chant in Pastoral Ministry and Religious Education” — March 10 & 11, 2017

Fr. David Friel · September 18, 2016

Improving the Liturgy

Reflections on the Status of the Liturgical Movement

Fr. David Friel · September 11, 2016

Composition Contest

Submissions Sought by the Conference of Roman Catholic Cathedral Musicians

Fr. David Friel · September 4, 2016

Paul McCartney Likes Choir Music

Start your choir year with inspiration from an unlikely source.

Fr. David Friel · August 28, 2016

On the Spirit of Conservation

A Reflection on the National Parks, Sacred Architecture, and “Laudato Si”

Fr. David Friel · August 21, 2016

Essence, Form, Experience

Fourth Annual Art of the Beautiful Lecture Series

Fr. David Friel · August 14, 2016

World Youth Day Krakow: Music Recordings

Seventeen (17) Tracks Now Available on iTunes

Fr. David Friel · August 7, 2016

A Different Kind of World Youth Day

Sacred Music Helped to Transform Tauron Arena Kraków into a House of Prayer

Fr. David Friel · July 30, 2016

“Actuosa Participatio” and the Reception of Holy Communion

Relevant Reflections from “Sacramentum Caritatis.”

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Simplified Accomp. • Schubert’s “Ave Maria.”
    Sometimes the organist must simultaneously serve as the CANTOR. (Those who work in the field of church music know exactly what I’m talking about.) One of our contributors composed this simplified keyboard accompaniment for Franz Schubert’s “Ave Maria,” a piece which is frequently requested for Catholic funerals and weddings. In terms of the discussion about whether that piece is too theatrical (‘operatic’) for use in Church, I will leave that discussion to others. All I know is, many church musicians out there will appreciate this simplified version.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Reminder” — Month of April (2026)
    On a daily basis, I speak to people who don’t realize we publish a free newsletter (although they’ve followed our blog for years). We have no endowment, no major donors, no savings, and refuse to run annoying ads. As a result, our mailing list is crucial to our survival. It couldn’t be easier to subscribe! Just scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    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. Simply 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

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

“It is when they are practicing that large groups stop in order to sleep; they don’t give themselves a new impetus after a pause (even if it is minimal) and singers pause when they should not (quarter-bar, half-bar)—everything provides temptation to go to sleep! It is thus not a question of rhythm but of musical integrity.”

— Justine Ward (20 July 1952)

Recent Posts

  • Simplified Accomp. • Schubert’s “Ave Maria.”
  • “The Unselected Hymn” • Do You Recognize It?
  • 2026 Sacred Music Pilgrimage (Washington DC) • With Richard J. Clark
  • “Reminder” — Month of April (2026)
  • “Gregorian Chant Isn’t a Platform for Your Personal Theories, Jeff” • (A Letter We Received)

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