Corpus Christi Watershed

A monthly subscription fee of $4.95 gives access to the entire website. Thank you for supporting our efforts!

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).

·

Msgr. Schmitt backs up Rev. Fortescue

My colleague, Andrea Leal, recently posted something extraordinary: an English translation of a NOTITIAE document from 1970 which explains why the reformers did such violence to the ancient Proprium Missæ. The author of that document erroneously claims that Gregorian composers changed the wording for musical purposes, but the real reason Missal and Gradual don’t always […]

To access this post, you must purchase Monthly Subscription or Yearly Subscription.

·

“Polyphonic Credo” during Communion?

It sounds strange to Americans, but a very common European tradition is to sing a polyphonic “Agnus Dei” during the distribution of Holy Communion, famously defended by Cardinal Ratzinger in 1995. Monsignor Francis P. Schmitt wrote about visiting Saint Joseph Oratory in Montreal, and says: “A polyphonic Creed was sung during the distribution of Communion.” […]

To access this post, you must purchase Monthly Subscription or Yearly Subscription.

·

“Christ as Creator” • Remarkable Findings in Ancient Hymns !

Archbishop Sheen immediately replied: “Then I didn’t explain it correctly, because it should be a mystery” • Including Rex Sempiterne Caelitum, Jesu Nostra Redemptio, Vexilla Regis Prodeunt, Auctor Beate Saeculi, A Solis Ortus Cardine, Jesu Redemptor Omnium, Conditor Alme Siderum, Corde Natus Ex Parentis, Pange Lingua Gloriosi, Veni Creator Spiritus, and more!

To access this post, you must purchase Monthly Subscription or Yearly Subscription.

Follow the Discussion on Facebook

·

The Best We’ve Done?

Perhaps the most significant item we’ve yet had the honor of producing is an English translation of an extremely rare document from 1970. A member of the Consilium—Father Adalbert Franquesa Garrós—explains why the reformers felt it necessary to destroy most of the ancient Mass propers. In particular, this reformer priest claims that unless verses of […]

To access this post, you must purchase Monthly Subscription or Yearly Subscription.

·

ICEL added “Died” to the Nicene Creed • (I am not kidding!)

I bet you never noticed this, but here’s the proof! • Believe it or not, the Nicene Creed never says Our Lord “died,” and this article provides full documentation; also included are beautiful manuscript images from the greatest Dutch illuminated manuscript in the world: Catherine of Cleves Hours (15th century MS.)+

To access this post, you must purchase Monthly Subscription or Yearly Subscription.

Follow the Discussion on Facebook

·

20 October 2020 • “What we can’t share”

Almighty God has given to us the example of the Jesuit Martyrs of North America, whose feast day we celebrated yesterday. Of course, along with those eight martyrs we honor their associates, e.g Father François Bressani. I can’t share with you the torments Father Bressani underwent at the hands of Iroquois: it is too brutal. […]

To access this post, you must purchase Monthly Subscription or Yearly Subscription.

Corpus Christi Watershed is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization recognized by the state of Texas on 19 October 2006. Our statement of purpose notes that we “employ the creative media in service of theology, the Church, and Christian culture for the enrichment and enjoyment of the public.”