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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 · July 29, 2013

Ordo Cantus Missae — English Translations

Who should start the “Glory to God” at Mass? Who should intone the Gloria? Ordinary Form.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 29, 2013

How Does One Use The Ordo Cantus Missæ?

The second half of an article about the most important book you’ve never seen.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 26, 2013

“Missale Romanum Cum Lectionibus Ad Usum Fidelium”

Gone forever? “A portable Latin missal which contains everything said or read at Mass.”

Jeff Ostrowski · July 26, 2013

Photograph of Msgr. Francis P. Schmitt

Photograph of “Father Schmitt” of Boys Town taken during the 1950s.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 23, 2013

Were You An Altar Boy In The 1960s?

Do you recall trying to memorize the “Confiteor” and the dreaded “Suscipiat” to serve at Mass?

Jeff Ostrowski · July 23, 2013

“I Love Ewe”

“The altar versus populum is not a new idea brought in by the reforms of Paul VI. The Mass could always be celebrated with the priest facing the people, as indeed it was in Rome and in many other places for centuries. True, it was not the usual way, but it did exist.” — Monsignor Richard J. Schuler

Jeff Ostrowski · July 19, 2013

Should The Priest Face The People At Mass?

“In the encyclical Mediator Dei, Pius XII regarded as ‘archeologists those who presumed to speak of the altar as a simple table.” — Newsletter of the Vatican Congregation of Divine Worship.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 19, 2013

Never Do This. Just Say “No.”

Ruth Slenczynska wasn’t right about everything … but she was right about this.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 17, 2013

The Founding Of Corpus Christi Watershed

Imagine my astonishment to see the date assigned to us by the State of Texas back in 2006!

Jeff Ostrowski · July 17, 2013

The Organ Book of Adrian Fortescue

Charles Cole has saved me a trip!

Jeff Ostrowski · July 16, 2013

Something We Humans Detest: Hypocrisy!

“Members of this American liturgical/musical establishment continually boast about their flexibility and sensitivity, but they are in fact the most rigid and insensitive of the Church’s members, especially if one has the temerity to challenge them, their policies, their processes, or their programs.” — Paul Le Voir (1993)

Jeff Ostrowski · July 16, 2013

Pavane for a Dead Princess — Maurice Ravel

One thing I’ve wanted to do for years is write about the Jesuit Martyrs of North America and share their stories with the world. I have failed.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 11, 2013

Bishop Fulton Sheen & Mass in Vietnamese

More than 100,000 persons saw and heard Church history in the making as Auxiliary Bishop Fulton J. Sheen of New York celebrated the first Pontifical Mass ever said in English.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 9, 2013

Why are the Psalms numbered differently?

Why don’t the Psalm numbers match? This 1-page, printable PDF sheet will show you clearly the difference between the Greek and Hebrew numbering systems.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 8, 2013

Madeleine Lipatti & The Chopin Concerto Scandal

“One more reason to hate Wagner!”

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    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
    PDF Download • “Sprinkling Rite”
    Liturgical reformers who gained power after Vatican II frequently caused great suffering to musicians. With the stroke of a pen, they sometimes make changes that would require thousands—or even millions—of man hours (work undertaken by composers and editors). The Sprinkling Rite during Eastertide is but one tiny example. The version given in that PDF document was the original melody for Roman Missal, Third Edition. Some still prefer that version. However, at the last moment, an “unknown hand” tinkered with a few notes in the antiphon. Those who examine the current edition can verify this with their own eyes.
    —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

Oh, what sighs I uttered, what tears I shed, to mingle with the waters of the torrent, while I chanted to Thee, O my God, the psalms of Holy Church in the Office of the Dead!

— ‘Isaac Jogues, upon finding Goupil’s corpse (1642)’

Recent Posts

  • PDF • “Liturgical Law” (467 Pages)
  • Gregorian Chant … with Organ Accompaniment?
  • Responsorial Psalm Fauxbourdon?
  • Music List • (Easter Sunday, 2026)
  • PDF Download • “Sprinkling Rite”

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