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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 · January 2, 2025

PDF Download • 129 Pages!

This book—now available as a PDF file—is 129 pages long!

Jeff Ostrowski · January 2, 2025

“Reminder” — Month of January (2025)

Since a new month has arrived, it’s my pleasure to remind you that…

Jeff Ostrowski · January 1, 2025

PDF Download • “What Child Is This” (Harmonized by the Von Trapp Family Singers)

Download this book—129 pages!—free of charge as a PDF: “The Trapp Family Book of Christmas Songs.”

Jeff Ostrowski · December 30, 2024

Accents Do Matter!

The upcoming feast of the Epiphany gives a good example…

Jeff Ostrowski · December 27, 2024

Year’s End Appeal • “Asking for Help”

As 2024 comes to a close, we could really use even a TINY amount of your generous financial support…

Jeff Ostrowski · December 27, 2024

“Music List” • Feast of the Holy Family

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the “music list” I have prepared for the Feast of the Holy Family.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 26, 2024

Bizarre Statements From “Leaflet Missal” Founder

Imagine blaming the rise of Adolf Hitler on the Church’s immemorial use of a ‘lingua sacra’ during Mass!

Jeff Ostrowski · December 25, 2024

PDF Download • From Cambridge: “Saint John Fisher Responsorial Psalms Collection” (253 Pages)

This 2024 collection incorporates responsorial psalms by many composers, particularly Catholic composers associated with Cambridge University.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 25, 2024

“Music List” • Midnight Mass (Christmas)

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the “music list” we used at our Christmas Midnight Mass.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 24, 2024

“Silent Night” • Easy Organ Arrangement

Choirs will ‘pick up’ this piece up with minimal rehearsal time.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 23, 2024

PDF Download • “Chart For Each Mode”

If you notice any errors, please let me know!

Jeff Ostrowski · December 22, 2024

Year’s End Appeal • “Asking for Help”

As 2024 comes to a close, we could really use even a TINY amount of your generous financial support…

Jeff Ostrowski · December 20, 2024

“Source and Summit” • What Is That?

Notice how Dom Franquesa (without explanation) stealthily annihilates sacrifice, sin, and the adoration we owe God.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 20, 2024

Rorate Caeli + ICEL + Dynamic Equivalence

There’s an old adage: “Once stung, twice shy.”

Jeff Ostrowski · December 19, 2024

“Music List” (4th Sunday of Advent, Year C)

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the “music list” I’ve prepared for this coming Sunday.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    “Offertory” at Catholic Funerals
    I have argued that the OFFERTORY—at least in its ancient form—is more of a responsory than an antiphon. The 1962 Missal specifically calls it “Antiphona ad Offertorium.” From now on, I plan to use this beautiful setting (PDF) at funerals, since it cleverly inserts themes from the absolution of the body. Tons more research needs to be done on the OFFERTORY, which often is a ‘patchwork’ stitching together various beginnings and endings of biblical verses. For instance, if you examine the ancient verses for Dómine, vivífica me (30th Sunday in Ordinary Time) you’ll discover this being done in a most perplexing way. Rebecca Maloy published a very expensive book on the OFFERTORY, but it was a disappointment. Indeed, I can’t think of a single valuable insight contained in her book. What a missed opportunity!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “In Paradisum” • Gregorian Chant
    As a RECESSIONAL on All Souls’ Day (November 2nd), we will sing In Paradísum Dedúcant Te Ángeli (PDF). When it comes to Gregorian Chant, this is one of the most popular “songs.” Frankly, all the prayers and chants from the traditional REQUIEM MASS (Missa exsequialis or Missa pro defunctis) are incredibly powerful and never should’ve been scuttled. Click here to hear “In Paradisum” in a recording I made this afternoon. Professor Louis Bouyer spoke of the way Bugnini “scuttled the office of the dead” in this fascinating excerpt from his memoirs. In his book, La riforma litugica (1983), Bugnini bragged—in quite a shameful way—about eliminating the ancient funeral texts, and even admitted those venerable texts were “beloved” (his word) by Catholics.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Music List” • All Souls (2 November)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 2 November 2025, which is the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (“All Souls”). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the top-notch feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin. In my humble opinion, it’s weird to have the feast of All Saints on a Sunday. No wonder the close associate of Pope Saint Paul VI said the revised KALENDAR was “the handiwork of a trio of maniacs.” However, I can’t deny that sometimes the sacred liturgy consists of elements that are seemingly contradictory: e.g. the Mode 7 “De Profúndis” ALLELUIA, or the Mode 8 “Dulce lignum” ALLELUIA on the various ancient feasts of the Holy Cross (3 May, 14 September, and so on).
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    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
    “Our Father” • Musical Setting?
    Looking through a Roman Catholic Hymnal published in 1859 by Father Guido Maria Dreves (d. 1909), I stumbled upon this very beautiful tune (PDF file). I feel it would be absolutely perfect to set the “Our Father” in German to music. Thoughts?
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“Thus, by the celebration of a single Mass (in which he offers Jesus Christ in sacrifice), a priest gives greater honor to the Lord than if all men by dying for God offered to him the sacrifice of their lives. By a single Mass, he gives greater honor to God than all the angels and saints—along with the Blessed Virgin Mary—have given or shall give to him; for their worship cannot be of infinite value, like that which the priest celebrating on the altar offers to God.”

— Saint Alphonsus Liguori

Recent Posts

  • Never Work For A Priest Or Bishop Who Believes Sacred Music Should Be “Entertainment”
  • When Pilgrims Sing, the World Disappears
  • “Offertory” at Catholic Funerals
  • “In Paradisum” • Gregorian Chant
  • The Beauty of the Propers for All Souls’ Day (and the Requiem Mass)

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