• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

“What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too…” Pope Benedict XVI (7 July 2007)

  • About
  • Symposium
  • Hymnal
  • Jogues Missal
  • Site Map
  • Donate
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), and did graduate work in Musicology. He serves as choirmaster for the new FSSP parish in Los Angeles, where he resides with his wife and children.—Read full biography (with photographs).

Jeff Ostrowski · October 2, 2013

A Word On The Pope’s Interview …

I was disturbed when I read Fr. Godfrey Diekmann’s comments about the Pope.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 1, 2013

Msgr. Schuler Strikes Again!

During the second half of the 20th century, some doctors thought they were smarter than God. They no longer promoted or taught breastfeeding to mothers.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 27, 2013

Which Way Does Your Priest Face For The Prayer After Communion?

The current Missal was put together with haste, and even the Vatican dicastery had to apologize for all the errors and typos contained in those early 1969 and 1970 directives, as Msgr. Schuler has pointed out.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 27, 2013

More On “Mass Facing The People”

The current rubrics tell the priest when to turn around and face the people, which would be superfluous if he were already facing them.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 27, 2013

Subdeacon’s Role In The Ordinary Form Mass

I never realized Subdeacons were allowed to be part of the New Mass, but it makes sense since the minor orders were not suppressed until 15 August 1972.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 25, 2013

The Extraordinary Form Is Centered On Christ

Those who oppose abortion point out that very few of the 50 million abortions since Roe v. Wade had to do with “rape and incest,” but this is the weaker argument.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 23, 2013

The Popes And Bishop René H. Gracida

“I had a special relationship with Pope Paul VI that began with his election to the papacy.” — Bishop René H. Gracida

Jeff Ostrowski · September 23, 2013

Don’t You Hate It?

… when people have to read the reviews to find out if they enjoyed the concert?

Jeff Ostrowski · September 23, 2013

“And I Will Raise You Up” — Voice Of God Songs During Mass

“This is not to say that prayers in strophic form cannot be uttered with a prayerful mentality.” — Professor László Dobszay

Jeff Ostrowski · September 23, 2013

No Salvation From Decrees (3 of 3)

Fr. Georg May was a superb Canon lawyer and faithfully heard Confessions every Saturday … even during the tumultuous years following the Second Vatican Council.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 19, 2013

“Adoremus In Æternum” … Heretical?

“Will you still love your girlfriend after she becomes your wife?”

Jeff Ostrowski · September 16, 2013

No Salvation From Decrees (2 of 3)

If a choir sings the “Kyrie Eleison” in Greek, is it still considered a “Latin Mass?” Archbishop Bugnini disagrees.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 15, 2013

Jeb Bush And The Sacred Liturgy

“It might surprise a stranger that, after we have solemnly told the people to go away, they stay and the service continues.” — Adrian Fortescue

Jeff Ostrowski · September 11, 2013

Fr. Godfrey Diekmann “Foaming At The Mouth”

As he lay dying, St. John Vianney’s confessor whispered, “Hide my whip, hair shirt, and other instruments of penance. If people find them, they’ll think I’m in Heaven, and won’t pray for me.”

Jeff Ostrowski · September 10, 2013

Graduale Simplex, Archbishop Bugnini, And More

I’m reminded of my years as a high school teacher. There were always 5-6 parents who had too much time on their hands, and they pestered the administration for changes.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 9, 2013

No Salvation From Decrees (1 of 3)

Billy claims all Americans can swim. Joseph is an American. Billy says Joseph can swim. Where’s the news?

Jeff Ostrowski · September 9, 2013

1963 Video • Funeral of John F. Kennedy (Low Mass)

Cardinal Cushing famously left the Second Vatican Council, claiming, “I cannot speak Latin.”

Jeff Ostrowski · September 4, 2013

And The Answer Is … (?)

I’ve asked many priests this question, but nobody seems to know the answer.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 2, 2013

“Young girls with quite non-liturgical notions”

Catholics must distinguish between true, authentic Liturgical dance and the “goofy type.”

Jeff Ostrowski · August 29, 2013

Concerning Animals With Twelve Eyes

“Across the board the Catholic faith can be understood as God’s family in every way. You don’t need a PhD in theology. You don’t even need courses in theology.” — Dr. Scott Hahn

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Go to page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Go to page 85
  • Go to page 86
  • Go to page 87
  • Go to page 88
  • Go to page 89
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Go to page 94
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

PDF • “Organ Interludes” (Manuals Only)

In graduate school, one is taught a valuable lesson: if you emphasize everything, nothing is emphasized. In other words, putting every other word in bold or italic (or both) wrecks your paper. I never to use the word “best”—but today I make an exception. The book of organ interludes released today by my colleague is without question the best I’ve ever seen. Including Dom Gregory Murray, Flor Peeters, Jacques Lemmens, John Lee, C. H. Rinck, Dom Alphege Shebbeare, Oreste Ravanello, Louis Niedermeyer, Eugène Gigout, Luigi Bottazzo, Johann Sebastian Bach, and many others. Learn more by clicking here.

—Jeff Ostrowski
For the Upcoming Choir Season!

Last week, I posted an SATB choral setting of the SANCTUS in a ‘contemporary’ style. You might want to consider this piece for two reasons: (1) It’s extremely brief; (2) Free rehearsal videos are available for each individual part. The piece is by Father Lhoumeau.

—Jeff Ostrowski
PDF Download • “Sunday Vespers” (22 pages)

When an organist accompanies Vespers, there is no time to think. It’s one thing after another: Bam – Bam – Bam. And that’s what makes Vespers difficult to accompany; there’s hardly even time to check the key signature for each piece! Therefore, although it’s far from perfect, I’m releasing this 22-page booklet:

PDF Download • SUNDAY VESPERS ACCOMPANIMENT

As time goes on, I will explain why I believe this booklet is important, my hopes for it, and why I selected the official edition, directly from the Vesperale Romanum. In spite of its imperfections, creating this (draft) booklet required much more effort than I had anticipated.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“Many of those who have influenced the reform […] have no love, and no veneration of that which has been handed down to us. They begin by despising everything that is actually there.”

— Cardinal Antonelli (Peritus during the Second Vatican Council)

Recent Posts

  • Faculty Members on Sacred Music Symposium 2022
  • PDF Download • Extremely Rare! — 1913 “Vesperale” by Schwann (954 pages)
  • PDF • “Organ Interludes” (Manuals Only)
  • PDF Download • Organ Interludes Based on Plainsong (Manuals Only) — 104 pages!
  • “Wild Accompaniment” • Flor Peeters (Kyrie VIII)

Subscribe to the CCW Mailing List

Copyright © 2022 Corpus Christi Watershed · Gabriel Lalemant on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Corpus Christi Watershed is a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to exploring and embodying as our calling the relationship of religion, culture, and the arts. This non-profit organization employs the creative media in service of theology, the Church, and Christian culture for the enrichment and enjoyment of the public.