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Corpus Christi Watershed

We’re a 501(c)3 public charity established in 2006. We have no endowment, no major donors, no savings, and run no advertisements. We exist solely by the generosity of small donors.

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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 · October 25, 2013

How Bad Was It?

Someday, my children might ask: “Do you remember the first ICEL translation of the Roman Missal?”

Jeff Ostrowski · October 24, 2013

Details About Sung Masses In “The Old Days”

“During a High Mass, the Choir will begin the Graduale etc. while the Priest recites the Epistle.” — St. Gregory Hymnal (1941)

Jeff Ostrowski · October 23, 2013

The Secret “Mora Vocis” of the Vatican Edition

Here are seven (7) videos explaining how to sing according to the rhythm of the Editio Vaticana (Vatican Edition) created by Abbot Pothier at the request of Pope Pius X.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 23, 2013

Concerning Proofreading And Capitalization

Some editors believe in their hearts there is only one “correct” way

Jeff Ostrowski · October 22, 2013

Does The Vatican II Lectionary Distort Scripture?

“I have noticed that when the present Lectionary occasionally proposes a ‘Shorter Form’ for one of the Gospel readings, the lines edited are something Our Lord said that comfortable people would rather He had not said.” — Fr. George W. Rutler

Jeff Ostrowski · October 21, 2013

Alfons Cardinal Stickler, Peritus during Vatican II

When a certain bishop stood up at Vatican II and expressed concern that “the entire Mass might be held in the language of the people,” the entire hall burst into uproarious laughter.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 21, 2013

Bishop Carroll and Vernacular in the Liturgy c. 1787

“In this country either for want of books or inability to read, the great part of our congregations must be utterly ignorant of the meaning and sense of the publick offices of the Church.” — Archbishop of Baltimore (1787)

Jeff Ostrowski · October 21, 2013

Jimmy Stewart … and Church Music Regulations?

“Whenever school children must be placed in the choir loft at High Mass, the Boys may sing but the Girls must keep silent, unless the whole congregation takes part in the singing.” — Diocese of Pittsburgh Regulations (1931)

Jeff Ostrowski · October 17, 2013

Six Girls In High School … Sensational New CD!

“Stella Splendens” features unaccompanied sacred vocal music sung by six ladies in high school.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 16, 2013

Beautiful Vestments Vs. Ugly Vestments

Has anyone else noticed this?

Jeff Ostrowski · October 15, 2013

Replacing the Entrance Chant With A Hymn Or Song?

This short video might annoy your friends … yet it just might get us thinking!

Jeff Ostrowski · October 14, 2013

Why Some Older Priests Hate Liturgy

“Impelled by the weightiest of reasons, we are fully determined to restore Latin to its position of honor.” — Blessed John XXIII (22 February 1962)

Jeff Ostrowski · October 13, 2013

True Liturgical Abuse … And Rex Harrison

On 17 April 1980, Blessed John Paul II approved and confirmed a document saying, “Females are not permitted to act as altar servers.”

Jeff Ostrowski · October 11, 2013

Addams Family Theme Song … At Mass?

Is it really true that any style of music can be lawfully used at Mass?

Jeff Ostrowski · October 11, 2013

1945 Vernacular Mass Card (German)

I always enjoy seeing “participation aids” from days of old …

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Luis Martínez Must Go!
    Sevilla Cathedral (entry dated 13 December 1564): The chapter orders Luis Martínez, a cathedral chaplain, to stay away from the choirbook-stand when the rest of the singers gather around it to sing polyphony—the reason being that “he throws the others out of tune.” [Excerpt from “The Life of Father Francisco Guerrero.”]
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Urgent! • We Desperately Need Funds!
    A few days ago, the president of Corpus Christi Watershed posted this urgent appeal for funds. Please help us make sure we’re never forced to place our content behind a paywall. We feel it’s crucial that 100% of our content remains free to everyone. We’re a tiny 501(c)3 public charity, entirely dependent upon the generosity of small donors. We have no endowment and no major donors. We run no advertisements and have no savings. We beg you to consider donating $4.00 per month. Thank you!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Booklet of Eucharistic Hymns” (16 pages)
    I was asked to create a booklet for my parish to use during our CORPUS CHRISTI PROCESSION on 22 June 2025. Would you be willing to look over the DRAFT BOOKLET (16 pages) I came up with? I tried to include a variety of hymns: some have a refrain; some are in major, others in minor; some are metered, others are plainsong; some are in Spanish, some are in Latin, but most are in English. Normally, we’d use the Brébeuf Hymnal—but we can’t risk having our congregation carry those heavy books all over the city to various churches.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Pope Pius XII Hymnal?
    Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Hybrid” Chant Notation?
    Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Antiphons Don’t Match?
    A reader wants to know why the Entrance and Communion antiphons in certain publications deviate from what’s prescribed by the GRADUALE ROMANUM published after Vatican II. Click here to read our answer. The short answer is: the Adalbert Propers were never intended to be sung. They were intended for private Masses only (or Masses without music). The “Graduale Parvum,” published by the John Henry Newman Institute of Liturgical Music in 2023, mostly uses the Adalbert Propers—but sometimes uses the GRADUALE text: e.g. Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (29 June).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“It introduces us to a still and serious world, deserted and rigid, without colour, without light, without motion; it does not gladden, does not distract; yet we cannot break away from it.”

— ‘Schweitzer on the THEME from Bach’s “Art of Fugue”’

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Corpus Christi Watershed is a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to exploring and embodying as our calling the relationship of religion, culture, and the arts. This non-profit organization employs the creative media in service of theology, the Church, and Christian culture for the enrichment and enjoyment of the public.

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