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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 · January 7, 2022

6 January 2022 • Quick!

A short version of the INTROIT for the feast of the Epiphany has been added to the Saint René Goupil Gregorian Chant Website.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 6, 2022

PDF Download • “Feast of the Holy Name” (Vespers Organ Accompaniment)

Only fellow choirmasters know how much work choirmasters do “behind the scenes.”

Jeff Ostrowski · January 4, 2022

PDF Booklet • “Blessing Epiphany Water” (18 Pages)

For the Blessing of Holy Water on Epiphany Eve.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 3, 2022

Confusing Feasts of Christmas

Whether one considers the Missale Vetustum or the post-conciliar calendar—or even the 1908 calendar—the feasts which follow Christmas are very confusing. Last year I created this comparison chart. I hope you find it helpful. As far as I can tell, my chart is the first effort to carefully detail the changes made to post-Christmas feasts […]

Jeff Ostrowski · January 1, 2022

1 January 2022 • Alternate Melodies

In a 14th century manuscript, I found some alternate melodies for the “Dóminus vobíscum” and “Et cum spíritu tuo.” I’m not sure we could ever use these at Mass; most priests have a hard enough time with the Editio Vaticana melodies!

Jeff Ostrowski · December 31, 2021

Latin Mass • Conspicuous Snag in “Clarification”

Archbishop Roche says the ‘true’ parishioners are supposed to make it clear the EF people are lowest on the totem pole.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 21, 2021

“Benedictus” (Missa Iste Sanctus) • All voices recorded by Corrinne May

Vatican II said: “The treasury of sacred music is to be preserved and fostered with great care” (SC §114).

Jeff Ostrowski · December 20, 2021

At Least This Is Clear!

Archbishop Roche, current head of the CDW, stated during his video interview as follows: “The Church has given us the celebration of the Mass in two forms. The Ordinary Form is the Mass that was developed under blessed Pope Paul VI in the 1960s. […] The Extraordinary Form is another expression, which is older than […]

Jeff Ostrowski · December 20, 2021

“Communion Service” for the Extraordinary Form?

This statement by the “Una Voce” president strikes me as inaccurate.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 18, 2021

Archbishop Roche: What the Ordinary Form “has to learn” from the Extraordinary Form

“The Extraordinary Form is another expression (older than the 1969 Missal) and is a valid expression of the Church’s liturgy.” —Arthur Roche

Jeff Ostrowski · December 15, 2021

PDF Download • Carol based on “The First Nowell”

I recorded all the voices, to demonstrate how it sounds…

Jeff Ostrowski · December 15, 2021

“Christmas” … or … “Xmas” ?

I remember hearing folks say (erroneously): “Don’t cross out Christmas!”

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Jeff Ostrowski · December 12, 2021

PDF Download • Vespers Organ Accompaniment — “Our Lady of Guadalupe” (12 December)

Vatican II said: “Pastors must see to it that Vespers is celebrated in parishes on Sundays and the more solemn feasts” (SC §100).

Jeff Ostrowski · December 9, 2021

Archbishop Lefebvre Pushed For Vernacular Readings?

Louis Bouyer—the priest chosen to compose “Eucharistic Prayer II”—condemned the liturgical reforms when he saw the results.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 6, 2021

Book Review! • “Society for Catholic Liturgy”

Dr. Aaron James has a double doctorate from a reputable conservatory, which is quite impressive!

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Job Opening • $65,000 per year +
    A parish 15 minutes away from me is looking for a choir director and organist. The parish is filled with young families. When I began my career, I would have jumped at such an opportunity! Saint Patrick’s in Grand Haven has a job opening for a music director paying $65,000 per year including benefits (plus weddings & funerals). Notice the job description says: “our vision for sacred music is to move from singing at Mass to truly singing the Mass wherein … especially the propers, ordinaries, and dialogues are given their proper place.” I lived in Kansas for 15 years, Texas for 10 years, and Los Angeles for 10 years. Michigan is the closest place I know to heaven!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Reminder” — Month of November (2025)
    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. Signing up couldn’t be easier: simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “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

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

“Urban VIII appointed four Jesuits to reform the hymns, so that they should no longer offend Renaissance ears. These four, in that faithful obedience to the Holy See which is the glory of their Society, with a patient care that one cannot help admiring, set to work to destroy every hymn in the office.”

— Fr. Adrian Fortescue (1916)

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