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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

Jeff Ostrowski • Article Archive

A theorist, organist, and conductor, Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004). He completed studies in Education and Musicology at the graduate level. Having worked as a church musician in Los Angeles for ten years, in 2024 he accepted a position as choirmaster for Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Michigan, where he resides with his wife and children. —Read full biography (with photographs).

Jeff Ostrowski · February 20, 2019

When You Go To Mass … Be This Guy!

Bringing a falcon to Mass never crossed my mind…

Jeff Ostrowski · February 19, 2019

An Outrageous “Paradox” I Cannot Accept

I’m not someone who believes everything was perfect before Vatican II—but calling the EF “worldly” compared to the OF is just silly.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 14, 2019

Update! • Accompaniments for the Brébeuf Hymnal

Oh, if only…if only you knew what’s going on behind the scenes!

Jeff Ostrowski · February 11, 2019

Breaking! • Father Edwin C. Dwyer Development?

Did Bishop A. Hurley have a change of heart?

Jeff Ostrowski · February 7, 2019

“Your Choirmaster” • What Nobody Realizes

Do you see the part where it specifically asks for humiliation?

Jeff Ostrowski · January 28, 2019

When Hymn Names Don’t Match

I submit to you that calling the same tune by multiple names in the same hymnal is unacceptable.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 22, 2019

PDF Download • “Chant Service Book” (208 pages)

An extremely rare book from 1941, containing all your favorite Gregorian chants!

Jeff Ostrowski · January 19, 2019

2nd Sunday after Epiphany • Saint Vitus Parish (LA)

“New evidence of wondrous pow’r | Behold in Cana’s marriage-dow’r; | Swift its own nature to resign, | The water blushes into wine.” —Msgr. Knox

Jeff Ostrowski · January 16, 2019

Bishop Barron Vs. Hymn by Marty Haugen (2018)

“Heaven is not light-years away; that’s a silly way to think about it.” —Most Rev’d Robert Barron

Jeff Ostrowski · January 14, 2019

“Church Music Manifesto” (2019)

Mass should be a peaceful experience for the congregation, not an opportunity to be harassed.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 8, 2019

“How To Use The Brébeuf Hymnal” (Video)

Yay! Short tutorial videos eradicate confusion!

Jeff Ostrowski · January 3, 2019

“Missa de Angelis” • But in Iroquoian! (1865)

Many people don’t realize that gorgeous plainsong books were printed in the 19th century…but they were not in Latin.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 2, 2019

“Mister Eye” • Do You Mind Him?

What do you think of “eye rhymes” in hymnody?

Jeff Ostrowski · January 1, 2019

Marcel Dupré • “Live” Recording (2 Feb 1964)

A recording of Bach’s A-minor Prelude & Fugue made by the master at age 78.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 22, 2018

PDF Booklet • Christmas Midnight Mass (36 pages)

It looks so simple when placed in a booklet like that…

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    “Offertory” at Catholic Funerals
    I have argued that the OFFERTORY—at least in its ancient form—is more of a responsory than an antiphon. The 1962 Missal specifically calls it “Antiphona ad Offertorium.” From now on, I plan to use this beautiful setting (PDF) at funerals, since it cleverly inserts themes from the absolution of the body. Tons more research needs to be done on the OFFERTORY, which often is a ‘patchwork’ stitching together various beginnings and endings of biblical verses. For instance, if you examine the ancient verses for Dómine, vivífica me (30th Sunday in Ordinary Time) you’ll discover this being done in a most perplexing way. Rebecca Maloy published a very expensive book on the OFFERTORY, but it was a disappointment. Indeed, I can’t think of a single valuable insight contained in her book. What a missed opportunity!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “In Paradisum” • Gregorian Chant
    As a RECESSIONAL on All Souls’ Day (November 2nd), we will sing In Paradísum Dedúcant Te Ángeli (PDF). When it comes to Gregorian Chant, this is one of the most popular “songs.” Frankly, all the prayers and chants from the traditional REQUIEM MASS (Missa exsequialis or Missa pro defunctis) are incredibly powerful and never should’ve been scuttled. Click here to hear “In Paradisum” in a recording I made this afternoon. Professor Louis Bouyer spoke of the way Bugnini “scuttled the office of the dead” in this fascinating excerpt from his memoirs. In his book, La riforma litugica (1983), Bugnini bragged—in quite a shameful way—about eliminating the ancient funeral texts, and even admitted those venerable texts were “beloved” (his word) by Catholics.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Music List” • All Souls (2 November)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 2 November 2025, which is the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (“All Souls”). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the top-notch feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin. In my humble opinion, it’s weird to have the feast of All Saints on a Sunday. No wonder the close associate of Pope Saint Paul VI said the revised KALENDAR was “the handiwork of a trio of maniacs.” However, I can’t deny that sometimes the sacred liturgy consists of elements that are seemingly contradictory: e.g. the Mode 7 “De Profúndis” ALLELUIA, or the Mode 8 “Dulce lignum” ALLELUIA on the various ancient feasts of the Holy Cross (3 May, 14 September, and so on).
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Gospel Options for 2 November (“All Souls”)
    We’ve been told some bishops are suppressing the TLM because of “unity.” But is unity truly found in the MISSALE RECENS? For instance, on All Souls (2 November), any of these Gospel readings may be chosen, for any reason (or for no reason at all). The same is true of the Propria Missæ and other readings—there are countless options in the ORDINARY FORM. In other words, no matter which OF parish you attend on 2 November, you’ll almost certainly hear different propers and readings, to say nothing of different ‘styles’ of music. Where is the “unity” in all this? Indeed, the Second Vatican Council solemnly declared: “Even in the liturgy, the Church has no wish to impose a rigid uniformity in matters which do not implicate the faith or the good of the whole community.”
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Our Father” • Musical Setting?
    Looking through a Roman Catholic Hymnal published in 1859 by Father Guido Maria Dreves (d. 1909), I stumbled upon this very beautiful tune (PDF file). I feel it would be absolutely perfect to set the “Our Father” in German to music. Thoughts?
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“I examined him in your presence, and could find no substance in any of the charges you bring against him; nor could Herod, when I referred you to him. It is plain that he has done nothing which deserves death. I will scourge him, and then he shall go free.”

— Pontius Pilate

Recent Posts

  • “Reader Feedback” • 5 November 2025
  • Never Work For A Priest Or Bishop Who Believes Sacred Music Should Be “Entertainment”
  • When Pilgrims Sing, the World Disappears
  • “Offertory” at Catholic Funerals
  • “In Paradisum” • Gregorian Chant

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