• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

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.”

  • Donate
  • Our Team
    • Our Editorial Policy
    • Who We Are
    • How To Contact Us
    • Sainte Marie Bulletin Articles
    • Jeff’s Mom Joins Fundraiser
    • “Let the Choir Have a Voice” (Essay)
  • Pew Resources
    • Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal
    • Jogues Illuminated Missal
    • Repository • “Spanish Music”
    • KYRIALE • Saint Antoine Daniel
    • Campion Missal, 3rd Edition
  • MUSICAL WEBSITES
    • René Goupil Gregorian Chant
    • Noël Chabanel Psalms
    • Nova Organi Harmonia (2,279 pages)
    • Roman Missal, 3rd Edition
    • Catechism of Gregorian Rhythm
    • Father Enemond Massé Manuscripts
    • Lalemant Polyphonic
    • Feasts Website
  • Miscellaneous
    • Site Map
    • Secrets of the Conscientious Choirmaster
    • “Wedding March” for lazy organists
    • Emporium Kevin Allen
    • Saint Jean de Lalande Library
    • Sacred Music Symposium 2023
    • The Eight Gregorian Modes
    • Gradual by Pothier’s Protégé
    • Seven (7) Considerations
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 · March 27, 2014

“Turn Those Altars Around!” — Cardinal Lercaro, Consilium President (1965)

Could this be the missing link explaining why “versus populum” celebrations took over?

Jeff Ostrowski · March 26, 2014

“Confusion and Annoyance” — Pope Paul VI on the New Liturgy (1965)

“Previously it was enough to be there; now we must participate. Previously one could doze or perhaps even have a chat; but no longer; now one must listen and pray.” — Pope Paul VI, 17 March 1965

Jeff Ostrowski · March 25, 2014

“The Most Beautiful Thing This Side Of Heaven”

A wonderful 18-minute sermon by Fr. Christopher Smith.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 24, 2014

What did Pope John Paul II think of the Cappa Magna?

The cappa magna has a five-meter-long train. Pius XII shortened it to 3 meters, but it’s said that John XXIII restored the ordinary length.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 19, 2014

“Anticipated” Mass or “Vigil” Mass on Saturday Night?

“Father Calewaert opposed the proposal because it would gravely damage Sunday.”

Jeff Ostrowski · March 17, 2014

Gregorian Chant As A “Weapon” — Seriously?

A drafter of USCCB guidelines on church music has said: “Some individuals and organizations seemingly use chant as a weapon to advance their agenda and judge others.”

Jeff Ostrowski · March 11, 2014

1970s Theology Has Affected The Celebration Of Mass

“The first task of all specially designated ministers is to serve the assembly. Their conscious and deliberate target is to help the assembly bring itself to life…” — Fr. Eugene Walsh

Jeff Ostrowski · March 10, 2014

“Father Bugnini has only one interest: press ahead and finish.” — Cardinal Antonelli, 1967

“Paul VI … declared that he had been hurt by certain arbitrary liturgical experiments and pained by a certain tendency to de-sacralize the liturgy.” — Cardinal Antonelli (19 April 1967)

Jeff Ostrowski · March 9, 2014

Church music need not sound “Catholic” says drafter of USCCB guidelines

The author calls people who appreciate Gregorian chant “conservative” and those who don’t “liberal.” Are such labels really helpful?

Jeff Ostrowski · March 4, 2014

How Many Syllables Does The Word “Catholic” Have?

Do you sing “ain-juhl” or “ain-jell” for the word “ANGEL” ? Do you sing “hevv-ihn” or “heav’n” for the word “HEAVEN” ?

Jeff Ostrowski · March 2, 2014

Peter Wagner 1903 Kyriale In Gregorian Notation

Dr. Franz Karl Prassl has given us a tremendous gift.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 2, 2014

Bishop Arthur J. Serratelli Speaks About Roman Missal, Third Edition

Bishop Serratelli says “most bishops are bald” because the confirmandi cannot answer basic questions when they are examined.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 2, 2014

Should Catholics Kneel At Mass?

To be absolutely clear: President Barack Obama is not the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 24, 2014

Is the Kyrie part of the Penitential Rite?

Many priests and liturgists omit the “Kyrie eleison” when the rubrics clearly forbid this.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 24, 2014

Reform Of The Reform: A Perspective

“How much annoyance among our loyal Catholics could have been avoided if evidence had been provided that various elements had been taken from old sacramentaries and were not arbitrary innovations.” —Bishop of Regensburg (1979)

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 170
  • Page 171
  • Page 172
  • Page 173
  • Page 174
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 188
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    PDF Download • “Atténde Dómine”
    Although it isn’t nearly as ancient as other hymns in the plainsong repertoire, Atténde Dómine, et miserére, quía peccávimus tíbi (“Look down, O Lord, and have mercy, for we have sinned against Thee”) has become one of the most popular hymns for LENT—perhaps because it was included in the famous Liber Usualis of Solesmes. This musical score (PDF file) has an incredibly accurate version in English, as well as a nice version in Spanish, and also the original Latin. Although I don’t claim to have a great singing voice, this morning I recorded this rehearsal video.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Music List • (1st Sunday of Lent)
    Readers have expressed interest in seeing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for this coming Sunday—22 February 2026—the 1st Sunday of Lent (Year A). 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 available at the outstanding feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin. I spent an enormous amount of time preparing this ORDER OF MUSIC—because the children’s choir will join us—and some of its components came out great. For example, the COMMUNION ANTIPHON with Fauxbourdon is utterly resplendent, yet still ‘Lenten’.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    2-Voice Arrangement for Lent
    Those seeking a two-voice arrangement for LENT and PASSIONTIDE should click here and scroll down. It’s based on number 775 in the Brébeuf Hymnal, with an enchanting melody written by Kevin Allen (the legendary American composer of sacred music). That text—“Pendens In Crucis Cornibus”—is often used for the Feast of our Lady of Sorrows. That link is important because, in addition to the musical score, it provides free rehearsal videos for each individual voice: something volunteer choirs appreciate!
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “Reminder” — Month of Febr. (2026)
    On a daily basis, I speak to people who don’t realize we publish a free newsletter (although they’ve followed our blog for years). We have no endowment, no major donors, no savings, and refuse to run annoying ads. As a result, our mailing list is crucial to our survival. It couldn’t be easier to subscribe! Just scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Chart • “Plainsong Rhythm”
    I will go to my grave without understanding the lack of curiosity so many people have about the rhythmic modifications made by Dom André Mocquereau. For example, how can someone examine this single sheet comparison chart and at a minimum not be curious about the differences? Dom Mocquereau basically creates a LONG-SHORT LONG-SHORT rhythmic pattern—in spite of enormous and overwhelming manuscript evidence to the contrary. That’s why some scholars referred to his method as “Neo-Mensuralist” or “Neo-Mensuralism.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF • “O Come All Ye Faithful” (Simplified)
    I admire the harmonization of “Adeste Fideles” by David Willcocks (d. 2015), who served as director of the Royal College of Music (London, England). In 2025, I was challenged to create a simplified arrangement for organists incapable of playing the authentic version at tempo. The result was this simplified keyboard arrangement (PDF download) based on the David Willcocks version of “O Come All Ye Faithful.” Feel free to play through it and let me know what you think.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“You should try to eat their food in the way they prepare it, although it may be dirty, half-cooked, and very tasteless. As to the other numerous things which may be unpleasant, they must be endured for the love of God, without saying anything or appearing to notice them.”

— Fr. Paul Le Jeune (1637)

Recent Posts

  • The Weekday Communions of Lent
  • PDF Download • “Atténde Dómine”
  • “Chant Is Not a Penitential Act” • Lenten Reflection by Daniel Marshall
  • (Ash Wednesday) • Medieval Illumination Depicting the Distribution of Ashes
  • Music List • (1st Sunday of Lent)

Subscribe

Subscribe

* indicates required

Copyright © 2026 Corpus Christi Watershed · Isaac Jogues on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

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.