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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

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 · September 17, 2014

Positive Liturgical Fruits Of Vatican II: Second Part

I know people will attack me for saying this, but I’m against “concert Masses”—and I think that quote from “Sacrosanctum Concilium” backs me up.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 16, 2014

Spectacular Video: Porfiri Conducts Requiem For Parents In China

“As you notice, they sing the whole concert—seventeen pieces—all by memory. They are really amazing.” — Aurelio Porfiri

Jeff Ostrowski · September 15, 2014

Can Church Musicians Learn From An Online Role-Playing Game?

Let’s help Catholics appreciate the richness of polyphonic music, which can be quite powerful.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 15, 2014

A Catholic Nun Challenged Reagan As Vice-President … For The Communist Party!

Are we surprised that authentic Church music died in the 1970s?

Jeff Ostrowski · September 14, 2014

Update * Atonement Parish — San Antonio, Texas

A consistently serious parish whose Pastor never deviates from Catholic doctrine.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 10, 2014

Vatican Breaks Its Silence On Kneeling For Communion In The USA

“When this Congregation gave ‘recognitio’ to your Bishops’ Conference, this was done on the condition that kneeling communicants are not to be denied Holy Communion.” — Vatican Statement

Jeff Ostrowski · September 9, 2014

That Inscrutable Creature On The Internet

I’ve come to realize that truth & beauty should be loved for their own sake. Trying to “possess” them is silly.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 8, 2014

Have We Lost The Church Music Battle?

The traditional music still triumphs in one important area: parishes run by “no-nonsense” priests.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 2, 2014

PDF Download: Mediator Dei Hymnal (1955)

This book’s editor had the reputation of being a “walking encyclopedia” of American hymnology…

Jeff Ostrowski · September 1, 2014

Barack Obama & Catholic Sacred Music

I wish somebody had explained this to me in 2005, when I began working for the Ordinary Form.

Jeff Ostrowski · August 28, 2014

Choirs & Singers With Spread Vowels — Best Example Ever!

When teaching your choir to hear the difference between “spread” vowels & proper choral vowels, use this example.

Jeff Ostrowski · August 28, 2014

Why I No Longer Compose

When I observe our beautiful children, I realize that God is the True Artist.

Jeff Ostrowski · August 27, 2014

Dan Schutte’s “Missa My Little Pony” (2nd Part)

My original article was shared 4,000 times and generated a surprising amount of hate mail.

Jeff Ostrowski · August 25, 2014

Pope John Paul II Wearing The Cappa Magna (As Cardinal Wojtyla)

The most marvelous uniform I’ve seen was the one worn by Prince Charles when he married Diana.

Jeff Ostrowski · August 25, 2014

NBC “Meet The Press” & Catholic Church Music

At the program’s conclusion, I felt dumber than when I’d started watching.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    PDF • Our Lady of Guadalupe (12 Dec.)
    The Responsorial Psalm may be downloaded as a PDF file (organist & vocalist) for 12 December, which is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. When it comes to the formulary for this Mass, it’s astounding how infrequently it’s included in official books. Prior to Vatican II, one had to search through “supplemental material” printed in the back of hand-missals and graduals. But since 1970, the feast is virtually nonexistent. According to the UNIVERSAL KALENDAR, 12 December is the “Feast of Saint Jane Frances De Chantal, Religious” (Die 12 decembris: S. Ioannæ Franciscæ de Chantal, religiosæ). Why should that feast overpower Our Lady of Guadalupe? In the United States, OLG is celebrated—and I’d assume in Mexico, Central America, South America, and Canada—but, as I said, the Propria Missae are virtually impossible to locate. I possess only three books which mention this feast.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Simplified Accompaniment (Advent Hymn)
    Many organists are forced to simultaneously serve as both CANTOR and ACCOMPANIST. In spite of what some claim, this can be difficult. I invite you to download this simplified organ accompaniment (PDF) which in the Father Brébeuf Hymnal is hymn #661: “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” (for ADVENT). I’m toying with the idea of creating a whole bunch of these, to help amateur organists. The last one I uploaded was downloaded more than 2,900 times in a matter of hours—so there appears to be interest.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF • “Music List” (Immaculate Concep.)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 8 December 2025, the feast of OUR LADY’S IMMACULATE CONCEPTION. If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The fauxbourdon setting of the COMMUNION is exquisite. In Latin, the title of this feast is: In Conceptione Immaculata Beatae Mariae Virginis. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are available at the feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Pope Leo XIV on Sacred Music
    On 5 December 2025, Pope Leo XIV made this declaration with regard to liturgical music.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Translations Approved for Liturgical Use”
    According to the newsletter for USSCB’s Committee on Divine Worship dated September 1996, there are three (3) translations of the Bible which can be used in the sacred liturgy in the United States. You can read this information with your own eyes. It seems the USCCB and also Rome fully approved the so-called NRSV (“New Revised Standard Version”) on 13 November 1991 and 6 April 1992 but this permission was then withdrawn in 1994.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    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

Random Quote

“Church officials frequently asked Tomás Luis de Victoria for his opinion on cathedral appointments because of his fame and knowledge. He was faithful to his position as convent organist even after his professional debut as an organist, and never accepted any extra pay for being a chapelmaster. Held in great esteem, his contract allowed him frequent travel away from the convent, and he attended Palestrina’s funeral (in Rome) in 1594.”

— ‘Dr. Robert Stevenson, 1961 (mod.)’

Recent Posts

  • PDF • Our Lady of Guadalupe (12 Dec.)
  • “Alma Redemptóris Mater” • Everything There Is To Know About This Marian Antiphon
  • Simplified Accompaniment (Advent Hymn)
  • Pope Leo XIV on Sacred Music
  • (5 Dec. 2025) • Pope Leo XIV Speaks on Liturgical Music

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