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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 · November 29, 2017

PDF Download • “How To Serve Mass” (1651)

“Pausing a little, arise, make Adoration to the Sacrament, give the Pax to those present, observe Order of calling, and Years…”

Jeff Ostrowski · November 29, 2017

Msgr. Knox • “Ten Commandments” for Crime Stories

Knox was a founding member of the “Detection Club,” which included Agatha Christie and G. K. Chesterton.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 27, 2017

PBS • “Gregorian Chant at the Seminary”

At the time I’m posting, this video has 355 views—let’s see if we can raise that number!

Jeff Ostrowski · November 27, 2017

40% savings!

Here are some books you might consider…

Jeff Ostrowski · November 25, 2017

PDF Download • “Evening Masses and Days of Obligation” (58 pages)

Permission has been given to post this marvelous 2016 dissertation by Fr. Shawn Tunink.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 25, 2017

Final Sunday after Pentecost (4th in November)

“And from the fig-tree learn a parable: when the branch thereof is now tender, and the leaves come forth, you know that summer is nigh.”

Jeff Ostrowski · November 24, 2017

“Simultaneous Fulfillment” of Mass Obligation?

Christmas falls on a Monday this year—but documentation shows “double dipping” is forbidden.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 20, 2017

Pleni sunt coeli et terra gloria tua…

“The heavens and the earth proclaim thy glory…”

Jeff Ostrowski · November 20, 2017

PDF Download • Authentic Irish Hymnal (164 pages)

Imagine the amount of time required to typeset something like this!

Jeff Ostrowski · November 17, 2017

Choir Members Photograph

Do you take pictures of your choir? Photographs can serve as nice reminders of wonderful experiences.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 16, 2017

“23rd” {repeat} Sunday after Pentecost (3rd in November)

“…and without parables He did not speak to them; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world.”

Jeff Ostrowski · November 16, 2017

A Hymn That Just Keeps Popping Up

Bach’s music inhabits “a still and serious world…without color, without light, without motion” from which we cannot break away.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 15, 2017

The Man Who Thrice Rejected Knighthood

Excerpt from a documentary on “St. Thomas More” (Paul Scofield) which in 1966 won six Oscars at the Academy Awards.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 13, 2017

SATB “Alleluia” (Fr. Morales) • for both OF and EF

This piece is perfect for “stealthily” adding polyphony to the Ordinary Form.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 10, 2017

Fulton J. Sheen • “Hints On Public Speaking”

We choirmasters are frequently called upon to speak in public.

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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

“Prohibiting or suspecting the extraordinary form can only be inspired by the demon who desires our suffocation and spiritual death.”

— Robert Cardinal Sarah (23-sep-2019), chosen by Pope Francis to be the Vatican’s chief liturgist

Recent Posts

  • 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
  • The Beauty of the Propers for All Souls’ Day (and the Requiem Mass)

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