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Corpus Christi Watershed

“A much greater source of anxiety to Us is the style of action of those who maintain that liturgical worship should shed its sacred character, who foolishly say we should substitute for sacred items & furnishings ordinary common things in daily use.” —Pope Saint Paul VI (14 Oct 1968)

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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 25, 2013

The Extraordinary Form Is Centered On Christ

Those who oppose abortion point out that very few of the 50 million abortions since Roe v. Wade had to do with “rape and incest,” but this is the weaker argument.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 23, 2013

The Popes And Bishop René H. Gracida

“I had a special relationship with Pope Paul VI that began with his election to the papacy.” — Bishop René H. Gracida

Jeff Ostrowski · September 23, 2013

Don’t You Hate It?

… when people have to read the reviews to find out if they enjoyed the concert?

Jeff Ostrowski · September 23, 2013

“And I Will Raise You Up” — Voice Of God Songs During Mass

“This is not to say that prayers in strophic form cannot be uttered with a prayerful mentality.” — Professor László Dobszay

Jeff Ostrowski · September 23, 2013

No Salvation From Decrees (3 of 3)

Fr. Georg May was a superb Canon lawyer and faithfully heard Confessions every Saturday … even during the tumultuous years following the Second Vatican Council.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 19, 2013

“Adoremus In Æternum” … Heretical?

“Will you still love your girlfriend after she becomes your wife?”

Jeff Ostrowski · September 16, 2013

No Salvation From Decrees (2 of 3)

If a choir sings the “Kyrie Eleison” in Greek, is it still considered a “Latin Mass?” Archbishop Bugnini disagrees.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 15, 2013

Jeb Bush And The Sacred Liturgy

“It might surprise a stranger that, after we have solemnly told the people to go away, they stay and the service continues.” — Adrian Fortescue

Jeff Ostrowski · September 11, 2013

Fr. Godfrey Diekmann “Foaming At The Mouth”

As he lay dying, St. John Vianney’s confessor whispered, “Hide my whip, hair shirt, and other instruments of penance. If people find them, they’ll think I’m in Heaven, and won’t pray for me.”

Jeff Ostrowski · September 10, 2013

Graduale Simplex, Archbishop Bugnini, And More

I’m reminded of my years as a high school teacher. There were always 5-6 parents who had too much time on their hands, and they pestered the administration for changes.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 9, 2013

No Salvation From Decrees (1 of 3)

Billy claims all Americans can swim. Joseph is an American. Billy says Joseph can swim. Where’s the news?

Jeff Ostrowski · September 9, 2013

1963 Video • Funeral of John F. Kennedy (Low Mass)

Cardinal Cushing famously left the Second Vatican Council, claiming, “I cannot speak Latin.”

Jeff Ostrowski · September 4, 2013

And The Answer Is … (?)

I’ve asked many priests this question, but nobody seems to know the answer.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 2, 2013

“Young girls with quite non-liturgical notions”

Catholics must distinguish between true, authentic Liturgical dance and the “goofy type.”

Jeff Ostrowski · August 29, 2013

Concerning Animals With Twelve Eyes

“Across the board the Catholic faith can be understood as God’s family in every way. You don’t need a PhD in theology. You don’t even need courses in theology.” — Dr. Scott Hahn

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Music Director Job • $80,000 per year
    Our readers will be interested in this job offering for Music Director at Saint Adalbert’s Basilica, located 40 minutes from where I live. My pastor was recently elevated to this basilica. He is offering $80,000 per year, plus benefits. I’m told Saint Adalbert’s Basilica is utterly gorgeous and contains one of America’s most magnificent pipe organs. It would be fantastic to have a colleague nearby!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Simplest “Agnus Dei” Ever Published
    Our choir is on break during the month of July. I needed a relatively simple “Agnus Dei,” so I composed this setting for organ & voice in honor of Saint René Goupil. It has been called the simplest setting ever composed. I love CARMEN GREGORIANUM (“Gregorian Chant”), especially the ALLELUIAS, INTROITS, and COMMUNION ANTIPHONS. That being said, some have pointed out that certain sections of the Kyriale aren’t as strong as the Graduale or Vesperale. There’s a reason for this—but it would be too complicated to explain at this moment.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Our choir is on break during the month of July. However, on the feasts website, the chants have been posted for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C), which is this coming Sunday: 6 July 2025.
    —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

The local church should be conscious that church worship is not really the same as what we sing in a bar, or what we sing in a convention for youth.

— Francis Cardinal Arinze (2005)

Recent Posts

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  • Simplest “Agnus Dei” Ever Published

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