Does the Mass Demand a Certain Level of Dignity?
I started asking myself how anyone could argue against something like this. After all, isn’t it good to share joy?
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.”
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).
I started asking myself how anyone could argue against something like this. After all, isn’t it good to share joy?
“The singing of the Communion Antiphon alone, which sufficed at sung Mass when Holy Communion was not given, is insufficient under the new conditions…” —Solesmes (1957)
“The Ordinary of the Mass and the hymn at Vespers are the parts of Divine Service in which the congregation is supposed to join.” —Solesmes (1903)
“May the mysteries we have received purify us, we beseech Thee, O Lord…”
Download this 47-page booklet … and please pardon any typos!
Only four (4) bishops voted against the Vatican II document on liturgy.
“O God, Who on this day didst instruct the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit…”
“To be honest, I wasn’t a fan at first…but now I love it.” —Brenda DiGirolamo
“Almighty and eternal God, make us ever bear a devout affection toward Thee…”
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