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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 · March 10, 2013

Getting Rid Of “Gree-vee-uhss” (Mispronunciation)

This blog entry starts out “negative” but ends “positive.” Sadly, most people will not read the entire thing, so they’ll miss the positive section. Will you?

Jeff Ostrowski · March 9, 2013

Young Father Ratzinger Offers Mass In Bavaria

Is it allowed to use an American Flag as an Altar Cloth at Mass? That is, an Altar Cloth decorated with the stars from the American flag?

Jeff Ostrowski · March 5, 2013

Useless To Sing “Our Hearts Are On Fire” When They Are Not?

“. . . in many instances one feels that the rhyme has shaped the thought rather than the other way around.”—Rev. Francis J. Guentner, S.J.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 2, 2013

“On this day O Beautiful Mother” … Blacklisted?

“Catholics in America have been the heirs of a sentimental and subjective hymn tradition that, for some reason or other, has taken a deep and fast hold on the fancy of the average person.” —Rev. Francis Brunner, C.Ss.R.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 1, 2013

Endeavor That Playing The Organ Be Not Lascivious Or Obscene

While it is interesting to read about how the organ was used in earlier times, this can be quite shocking!

Jeff Ostrowski · February 27, 2013

The Resignation of Pope Benedict XVI

“Say not only prayers of petition, for that is the way of the greedy. Let us pray always for resignation to the will of God. That is the prayers of the saints.” —Bishop Fulton J. Sheen

Jeff Ostrowski · February 25, 2013

“Spinning The Wheel” Each Week For Hymns

Each and every week, thousands of Catholics play “Spin the Wheel for Hymns” instead of using the sacred and ancient texts prescribed by the Church. What does this have to do with a rich man born without legs and arms?

Jeff Ostrowski · February 23, 2013

The New Translation of the Roman Missal

“One is not only appalled by the banality of that English translation, but what strikes one so forcibly is the damage done to the very content of the Latin prayers in what is supposed to pass as a translation.” (1990 article by Msgr. Schuler)

Jeff Ostrowski · February 21, 2013

Easter Proclamation (Exsultet) – LOWER RECORDING – New Translation (Roman Missal 3rd Edition)

Click here to go back to the Exsultet Website. Click here to learn more about the Vatican II Hymnal.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 17, 2013

A Word About Hymns . . . OK, A Few Words!

Tozer: “I have, on the other hand, retained several more or less traditional tunes, absolutely valueless and without merit from a musical point of view, but which seem to have become a necessity if a book is to appeal — as I hope this one will — to the varied needs of various churches.”

Jeff Ostrowski · February 16, 2013

Famous Conductor Fired Because He Refused To Sing Hymn

The following letter was printed in the “Sacred Music Journal” (Winter of 2002). I was shocked when I first read it. It concerns a conductor famous for his performances of the works of William Byrd.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 14, 2013

Astounding Talk Given By Pope

We will have more on this. This is remarkable.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 11, 2013

Pope Benedict XVI to Step Down Feb. 28

I believe that Pope Benedict XVI will go down in history as one of the greatest Popes.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 9, 2013

Reflections on the Liturgy by Andrew Nash

When we shake hands, we do not feel the need to explain, “By this gesture I am establishing contact with you.”

Jeff Ostrowski · February 6, 2013

Once Again, Verifiable Proof

I have often written about the phenomenon of “learn a new word, see it within 24 hours.”

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    “Reminder” — Month of April (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
    Simplified Accompaniment (Easter Hymn)
    Number 36 in the Brébeuf Hymnal is “At the Lamb’s high feast we sing,” an English translation for Ad Cenam Agni Próvidi (which was called “Ad Régias Agni Dapes” starting 1631). As of this morning, you can download a simplified keyboard accompaniment for it. Simply click here and scroll to the bottom. Many organists are forced to serve simultaneously as both CANTOR and ACCOMPANIST. In spite of what some claim, this can be difficult—which explains why choirmasters appreciate these simplified keyboard accompaniments. Sadly, many readers will click that link but forget to scroll to the bottom where the simplified PDF file is located.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Quasi Modo Sunday”
    The Introit for “Quasi Modo Sunday” (12 April 2026) is particularly beautiful. The musical score can be downloaded as a PDF file, and so can the organ accompaniment. The official language of the Catholic Church is Latin (whereas Greek is our mother tongue). Vatican II said Gregorian Chant must be given “first place” under normal circumstances. As a result, some parishes will rightly sing the authentic version. On the other hand, because so many USA dioceses disobey the mandate of Vatican II, some musicians sing plainsong in the vernacular. I have attempted to simultaneously accompany myself on the pipe organ while singing the English version. Although very few take advantage of it, the complete Proprium Missae is posted at the flourishing feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    PDF Download • “Anima Christi”
    I received a request for an organ accompaniment I created way back in 2007 for the “Anima Christi” Gregorian Chant. You can download this PDF file which has the score in plainsong followed by a keyboard accompaniment. Many melodies have been paired with “Anima Christi” over the centuries, but this is—perhaps—the most common one.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    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

Random Quote

Using the shoddiest, sleaziest material we have for the purpose of glorifying God is not very sound theology or even very good common sense. […] (In general, when you see a diminished seventh chord in a hymn, run.) And these chords are usually used in bad hymns in precisely the same order in which they occur in “Sweet Adeline.”

— Paul Hume (1956)

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  • Request From Australia
  • PDF Download • “Anima Christi”

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