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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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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 · October 16, 2023

“Breathtaking!” • Hymn for the Souls in Purgatory

“Raising the pitch for the final verse.” (Tag: 𝘛𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘪𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳)

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Jeff Ostrowski · October 15, 2023

Can Nobody Help Us?

We are still searching for someone who can obtain for us a physical copy of either VOLUME 2 or VOLUME 8 of the accompaniments done by the LEMMENSINSTITUUT during the 1940s. Jeff’s personal copies were stolen.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 13, 2023

“Is This an Error?” • The Answer Is Complicated

Text underlay in Renaissance polyphony: Six (6) considerations.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 12, 2023

Can You “Name That Hymn” (From The Middle)?

Purists would absolutely hate this!

Jeff Ostrowski · October 12, 2023

12 October 2023 • FEEDBACK

One of the more colorful emails we’ve received: “Jeff, I often disagree with your articles, but let me give credit where credit is due. You are surely the only person I know who could somehow tie together John F Kennedy, Lyndon B Johnson, Senator Barry Goldwater, and sacred music!” [The article she references is called Must […]

Jeff Ostrowski · October 12, 2023

Responsorial Psalm • “Eight Options”

In all seriousness, this article deals with some very dry topics. When I say “dry,” I mean technical (or even “boring”). Therefore, I wasn’t really expecting anyone to click on it. I was pleasantly surprised earlier this morning to see that it’s been one of our most highly downloaded articles over the last two weeks!

Jeff Ostrowski · October 11, 2023

Cardinal Tobin says excluding EF Catholics is “good” so long as they’re not “banished” completely

The exchange with Diane Montagna was caught on video! Jeff Ostrowski also includes two personal stories of exclusion.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 10, 2023

Young Girl Imitates Jeff Ostrowski Conducting!

They say imitation is the highest form of flattery.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 10, 2023

“I Hate Hearing It, but I Love It?” • Honesty About Church Music (Examples Provided)

When the bell rang (signaling examination of conscience) all the seminarians would immediately drop their pencils, even if they were in the middle of writing a sentence.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 9, 2023

Are We Done? • “Gregorian Chant Rhythm Wars”

It’s been decided to bring that particular series to a close. However…

Jeff Ostrowski · October 9, 2023

Hope For Our Church.

People like Deacon Francis give me hope!

Jeff Ostrowski · October 6, 2023

“Christ the King” is coming up…

I’ve attempted to record the INTROIT for the Feast of Christ the King according to the official rhythm of the Catholic Church. You can view the YouTube recording of my attempt. Traditionally, our Savior’s “kingship” was celebrated as part of the Epiphany—but in 1925, Pope Pius XI created the “feast of Christ the King” to […]

Jeff Ostrowski · October 5, 2023

Does Singing Fulfill One’s Obligation?

My colleague, Richard J. Clark, has a little motto: The more time you spend on an article, the less people will care about it. I cannot claim to understand why certain articles gain more attention than others. For whatever reason, this recent article of mine has received an incredible amount of downloads. The full and […]

Jeff Ostrowski · October 4, 2023

PDF Download • “Congregational Booklet” (Printable) for Jeff’s New Mass Setting

A congregational booklet requested by Mr. Seth Bauer.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 3, 2023

“Must Hymns Always Rhyme?” • (With Examples)

Non-rhyming hymns are certainly a strong temptation since they’re so much easier to compose.

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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

“Abbat Pothier’s great accomplishment is having returned to the Catholic world—along with the traditional melody—the traditional way of performing it. The foundations laid by this providential man have been accepted by all those who practice Gregorian chant.”

— Dr. Peter Wagner (Commissionis Pontificiæ Gregorianæ Membrum)

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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