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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 · December 24, 2014

Musical Resources • Christmas Midnight Mass

We will NOT be singing “Frosty The Snowman” for Offertory!

Jeff Ostrowski · December 24, 2014

“Don’t Cross Out Christ On Christmas” — Wrong!

This myth shows great ignorance of ancient (Roman Catholic) manuscripts!

Jeff Ostrowski · December 23, 2014

PDF Download: Rossini “Parochial Hymnal” (1936)

Your Christmas present from Corpus Christi Watershed!

Jeff Ostrowski · December 22, 2014

Pope Paul VI • “Sacrificum Laudis” (15 Aug 1966)

The most progressive pope imaginable who’s given the Church a new direction? Are they aware of this letter?

Jeff Ostrowski · December 19, 2014

Musical Resources • 4th Sunday of Advent

Christmas draws nigh!

Jeff Ostrowski · December 18, 2014

PDF Download: Dominican Breviary From 1967

The book is so large, it must be downloaded in sections.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 18, 2014

Solemn High Christmas Midnight Mass • Hollywood

Oh, please help us spread this exciting news!

Jeff Ostrowski · December 17, 2014

PDF Download: Hymns of the Dominican Missal & Breviary • Fr. Aquinas Byrnes (1943)

Containing literal and poetic translations, author biographies, meter explanations, and much more!

Jeff Ostrowski · December 17, 2014

How Well Did Your Parents Know The Mass?

PDF Download: Order of Mass (Latin & English) printed in THE CROWN HYMNAL of 1911.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 15, 2014

“The Gloves Are Off” — Jonathan Gruber & The Traditional Mass

“The faith of many was quite infantile, I would say.” —Paul Inwood, talking about preconciliar Catholics

Jeff Ostrowski · December 13, 2014

“The Experience After The Council Was So Strong And In Some Cases Violent…” —Cardinal Burke

6 December 2014 interview with Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke by GloriaTV.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 13, 2014

Musical Resources • 3rd Sunday of Advent

Including “Creator Alme Siderum” with English Translation by Rev. Adrian Fortescue.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 11, 2014

What They Didn’t Tell You About Psalm Tone VIII

Even the “Liber Usualis” omits critical information about Tone VIII.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 10, 2014

Review: An English Gradual (Belmont Abbey, 2013)

For myself, I prefer the liturgy entirely in Latin or entirely in the vernacular. Others will disagree.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 9, 2014

Any Hope For Modern Catholic Hymnody? Yes!

Major publishers include Haugen’s verse “not in some heaven, light-years away”—what can be done about it?

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Buckfast Abbey Weighs In
    Dom John Stéphan was a Benedictine monk of Buckfast Abbey in South Devon, England. On 4 February 1933, he published this interesting letter in THE TABLET. Have you seen the exterior of Buckfast Abbey? It’s beyond gorgeous. I doubt there’s a more arresting Abbey in the entire world. Dom Stéphan’s letter is concerning this momentous collection, which our organization obtained, scanned, and uploaded.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Responsorial Psalm Fauxbourdon?
    When it comes to singing Responsorial Psalms in Fauxbourdon, what does this sound like in practice? Can such a thing be done successfully with volunteer choirs in real Catholic parishes? Listen to this audio excerpt from Good Friday and see what you think. Our parish volunteer choir did so well this year—and the ceremonies were ‘standing room only’. For the record, that musical score can be downloaded (completely free of charge) from the flourishing feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Music List • (Easter Sunday, 2026)
    Readers have expressed interest in seeing the ORDER OF MUSIC I created for Easter Sunday—a.k.a. “Ad Missam in die Paschae”—which is 5 April 2026. Please feel free to download it as a PDF file if such a thing interests you. The Fauxbourdon for Communion is particularly moving.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    PDF • “Liturgical Law” (467 Pages)
    On Good Friday during the middle ages, the pope privately recited THE ENTIRE PSALTER. If you don’t believe me, see for yourself by reading this passage by Dom Charles Augustine Bachofen (d. 1943). His famous book—called “Liturgical Law: A Handbook Of The Roman Liturgy”—was published by the Benjamin Herder Book Company, which was the American arm (operating out of St. Louis, Missouri) of one of the world’s most significant Catholic publishers. Dom Charles Augustine Bachofen was born in Switzerland but spent his career between the Benedictine monasteries at Conception (Missouri) and Mount Angel (Oregon). His 1931 masterpiece, Liturgical Law can be downloaded as a PDF file … 467 pages!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Gregorian Chant Quiz” • 24 March 2026
    How well do you know your Gregorian hymns? Do you recognize the tune inserted into the bass line on this score? For many years, we sang the entire Mass in Gregorian chant—and I mean everything. As a result, it would be difficult to find a Gregorian hymn I don’t recognize instantly. Only decades later did I realize (with sadness) that this skill cannot be ‘monetized’… This particular melody is used for a very famous Gregorian hymn, printed in the LIBER USUALIS. Do you recognize it? Send me an email with the correct words, and I promise to tell everybody I meet about your prowess!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Ubi Caritas” (SATB)
    I remember singing “Ubi Cáritas” by Maurice Duruflé at the conservatory. I was deeply moved by it. However, some feel Duruflé’s version isn’t suitable for small choirs since it’s written for 6 voices and the bass tessitura is quite low. That’s why I was absolutely thrilled to discover this “Ubi cáritas” (SATB) for smaller choirs by Énemond Moreau, who studied with OSCAR DEPUYDT (d. 1925), an orphan who became a towering figure of Catholic music. Depuydt’s students include: Flor Peeters (d. 1986); Monsignor Jules Van Nuffel (d. 1953); Arthur Meulemans (d. 1966); Monsignor Jules Vyverman (d. 1989); and Gustaaf Nees (d. 1965). Rehearsal videos for each individual voice await you at #19705. When I came across the astonishing English translation for “Ubi Cáritas” by Monsignor Ronald Knox—matching the Latin’s meter—I decided to add those lyrics as an option (for churches which have banned Latin). My wife and I made this recording to give you some idea how it sounds.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“Rarely indeed,” asserted Pope Benedict XV (2 October 1921), “has the idealism of art and the glory of the faith been joined in such perfect harmony” as in the works of Palestrina and fellow polyphonists.

— Quoted by Gerard Ellard SJ (Church history professor at St. Mary’s College, KS)

Recent Posts

  • Buckfast Abbey Weighs In
  • PDF Download • “Catholic Hymnal & Service Book” (632 Pages)
  • PDF • “Liturgical Law” (467 Pages)
  • Gregorian Chant … with Organ Accompaniment?
  • Responsorial Psalm Fauxbourdon?

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