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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 · November 4, 2024

“I Bow to Rebecca Raber Who Oversees the Music in This Chapel.” —Mike Aquilina

“This is not the choir!” … exclaims Mike Aquilina.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 1, 2024

“All Saints” • Jeff Ostrowski Tries to Simultaneously Accompany His Voice on the Organ

Although it beggars belief, in his entire life Father Josef A. Jungmann never celebrated a sung Mass—not one!

Jeff Ostrowski · October 31, 2024

Music List • (31st Sund. Ordinary Time)

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

Jeff Ostrowski · October 30, 2024

PDF Download • “Entrance Chant in English” (31st Sunday in Ordinary Time) for 3-NOV-2024

With a brief digression on “feelings of inadequacy.”

Jeff Ostrowski · October 29, 2024

“Entrance Chant” for Sunday (3-NOV-2024)

The reformers borrowed this “Entrance Chant” from Wednesday in the 2nd week of Lent.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 29, 2024

Parallel Fifths In Plainsong Accompaniment?

The great masters sometimes even wrote parallel sevenths!

Jeff Ostrowski · October 29, 2024

A Suggestion for Ordinary Form Masses

The idea developed (somehow) that having the priest wait 15 minutes for an item he needs is “good and reverent” liturgy. But that’s false.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 28, 2024

The Truth About Chant Modality

It’s distressing to observe (in certain in quarters) an immature understanding of modality.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 28, 2024

Bishop of Jefferson City Forbids Hymns

Bishop McKnight earned a doctorate in Sacred Theology.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 26, 2024

Music List • (30th Sund. Ordinary Time)

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

Jeff Ostrowski · October 24, 2024

New Treasures Daily?

What lofty language!

Jeff Ostrowski · October 23, 2024

PDF Download • “Like Gold Dust” — Extremely Rare Book of Gregorian Chants (315 pages)

Including “O Come All Ye Faithful” (with Latin text) in a delightful arrangement for two voices.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 22, 2024

“Singing With The Girls”

The version by Father Victoria is also quite beautiful, although the ranges for some voices are challenging.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 22, 2024

“Reader Feedback” • 22 October 2024

“I had never directed for the TLM before this semester, and your resources have been beneficial…”

Jeff Ostrowski · October 22, 2024

PDF Download • “Entrance Chant in English” (30th Sunday in Ordinary Time) for 27-OCT-2024

When the congregation isn’t moved, such a musician will reply: “Well, that’s just because they’re uneducated philistines who don’t know anything.”

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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

“All those who take part in sacred music, as composers, organists, choir directors, singers, or musicians should above all give good example of Christian life to the rest of the faithful because they directly or indirectly participate in the sacred liturgy.”

— Directive issued under Pope Pius XII on 3 Sept. 1958

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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