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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 4, 2013

Dom Gajard on Vernacular Adaptations & Pius XII Psalter

“We request His Eminence the Cardinal Prefect of the Sacred Congregation of Rites the permission to point out the manifest danger of adopting either of these solutions.” — Dom Joseph Gajard, OSB

Jeff Ostrowski · December 4, 2013

1934 “Antiphonale Monasticum” (Solesmes Abbey) • Free PDF Download!

Feel free to download all 1,296 pages!

Jeff Ostrowski · December 3, 2013

The G.I.R.M. Mentions “Hymnus” Only Once …

Ironically, that’s the spot you’re least likely to hear a hymn at Mass!

Jeff Ostrowski · December 2, 2013

How “Catholic” Is Congregational Singing?

John Paul II asked your forgiveness in 1980 … did you forgive him?

Jeff Ostrowski · November 30, 2013

Uh Oh … How do you spell “Ressurection” ?

The new Gregorian Missal (Solesmes, 2012) is a marvelous book.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 27, 2013

With Regard to the New Document by Francis: “Evangelii Gaudium”

I’ve encountered priests who believe their job during the sermon is to talk like Rush Limbaugh, Chris Matthews, or Bill O’Reilly.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 24, 2013

A Chart That Says It All …

What a stark contrast between the (discredited) translation from the 1970s and the 2011 translation!

Jeff Ostrowski · November 24, 2013

A Simple Plan To Improve Music At Mass

Are all musical styles acceptable for Mass? Movie directors realize such a notion is bogus.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 19, 2013

Rory Cooney Needs “Healing” From Pope Benedict’s Liturgical Reforms

Consider these lines from GIA’s newest hymnal (Worship IV): “Who is this who eats with sinners, calling luckless losers winners?” Did they really just use the phrase “luckless losers” in a Catholic hymn book?

Jeff Ostrowski · November 18, 2013

“Look Beyond The Bread You Eat” (Part 1)

Even after so many years, recalling this statement makes my brain explode with rage.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 18, 2013

“Look Beyond The Bread You Eat” (Part 2)

It dawned on me that nothing I’d been saying had made the slightest impact. I had literally been wasting my breath.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 15, 2013

A Dream Come True: 1965 Missal Online!

“The Conference of Bishops has given permission that, when a qualified man is not
available, a woman may proclaim the readings prior to the gospel, while standing outside the sanctuary.” — 1970 Statement

Jeff Ostrowski · November 14, 2013

More Thoughts On The 3-Year Lectionary …

“The Instruction pretends that we actually do have Propers for the Mass, whereas everyone knows that today the Mass Propers are sung perhaps at one Mass in ten thousand.” — Professor László Dobszay

Jeff Ostrowski · November 11, 2013

When Rome Gets It Wrong

“Many a pope has gone through his entire pontificate without making a single infallible statement.” — Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

Jeff Ostrowski · November 11, 2013

The Archer Loves The Arrow And The Bow

If you tend to cry a lot, don’t read this poem.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    ‘German’ Introductions for Hymns
    German organ books have an enchanting habit of including introductions for each and every hymn. For example, consider this snazzy example found in a German hymnal published in 1902. In the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal, that melody is called “Laudes Mariae” and was married to Omni Die Dic Mariae, with a popular English translation (“Daily, daily, sing to Mary”) by Father Henry Bittleston, an Oratorian priest. Notice they also added an ‘outro’ or ending!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    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

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

“[Sacrosanctum Conclium’s implementation was] horrible, if we judge the debate on the liturgy as we have it today. Very few bishops would be proud to say they had a hand in it. Communion in the hand was never mentioned in the debate, neither was the word table (mensa) to take the place of altar—place of sacrifice… In my opinion the Debate on the Liturgy has been hijacked. The Council was…to reform, not to change completely.”

— Bishop Ignatius Doggett (who took part in Vatican II)

Recent Posts

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  • PDF Download • “Sprinkling Rite” + Psalm Verses
  • Buckfast Abbey Weighs In
  • PDF Download • “Catholic Hymnal & Service Book” (632 Pages)

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