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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

Guest Author

Guest Author · May 12, 2014

Homily: 4th Sunday of Easter (Year A)

A homily by Fr. Valentine Young, OFM.

Guest Author · May 6, 2014

John Henry Newman: A Deep History & A New Communion Motet

From chant to polyphony… our liturgies are being saturated once again with Proper texts and
liturgical music of great beauty.

Guest Author · May 3, 2014

Simple English Propers Organ Accompaniments

Two exciting new volumes in the field of sung propers.

Guest Author · May 3, 2014

Homily: 3rd Sunday of Easter (Year A)

A homily by Fr. Valentine Young, OFM.

Guest Author · April 27, 2014

Homily: 2nd Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy)

I’m happy that people want to gain the plenary indulgence on Divine Mercy Sunday. But remember, you can also gain it on other occasions.

Guest Author · April 25, 2014

The Thoughtful Theologian reflects on the canonisations of 27 April 2014

God is Truth Itself, and so faith transcends reason, and elevates it without contradicting it.

Guest Author · April 21, 2014

Francis Thompson (1859 – 1907): Catholic, Addict, Poet

The intellect of the world has been corrupted. Francis Thompson is the antidote.

Guest Author · April 6, 2014

Homily: 5th Sunday of Lent (Year A)

“St. Paul quite bluntly says that if your life is in the flesh, then your life in the spirit is dead.”

Guest Author · March 30, 2014

Homily: 4th Sunday of Lent (Year A)

A homily by Fr. Valentine Young, OFM.

Guest Author · March 23, 2014

Homily: 3rd Sunday of Lent (Year A)

A homily by Fr. Valentine Young, OFM.

Guest Author · March 20, 2014

Why Do Priests Care So Much For The Liturgy and Sacred Music?

Does a desire for liturgical and musical elements that are authentically Catholic and deeply rooted in tradition really have anything to do in the life of a priest?

Guest Author · March 16, 2014

Homily: 2nd Sunday of Lent (Year A)

How do you envision heaven? Having a better understanding of it will aid you in getting there!

Guest Author · March 8, 2014

Homily: 1st Sunday of Lent (Year A)

“‘At the acceptable time I have listened to you, and helped you on the day of salvation.’ Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” -2 Cor 6:2

Guest Author · March 4, 2014

Reflection on the Blessing of the Ashes

A brief Lenten reflection by Fr. Valentine Young, OFM.

Guest Author · March 4, 2014

Principles for Creating Chant for the Vernacular

David Clayton shares free resources and instruction for adapting Latin chant to English.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

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 • “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
    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

Random Quote

The frequent elisions, as in the verse “Hoc óstium arcae in látere est Genti ad salútem pósitum” (feast of the Sacred Heart) make for an unpronounceable and unsingable hymn, and slightly less so does the hymn for Christ the King.

— Archbishop Hannibal Bugnini

Recent Posts

  • 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”
  • ‘German’ Introductions for Hymns

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