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

Corpus Christi Watershed

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.”

  • Donate
  • Our Team
    • Our Editorial Policy
    • Who We Are
    • How To Contact Us
    • Sainte Marie Bulletin Articles
    • Jeff’s Mom Joins Fundraiser
  • Pew Resources
    • Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal
    • Jogues Illuminated Missal
    • Repository • “Spanish Music”
    • KYRIALE • Saint Antoine Daniel
    • Campion Missal, 3rd Edition
  • MUSICAL WEBSITES
    • René Goupil Gregorian Chant
    • Noël Chabanel Psalms
    • Nova Organi Harmonia (2,279 pages)
    • Roman Missal, 3rd Edition
    • Catechism of Gregorian Rhythm
    • Father Enemond Massé Manuscripts
    • Lalemant Polyphonic
    • Feasts Website
  • Miscellaneous
    • Site Map
    • Secrets of the Conscientious Choirmaster
    • “Wedding March” for lazy organists
    • Emporium Kevin Allen
    • Saint Jean de Lalande Library
    • Sacred Music Symposium 2023
    • The Eight Gregorian Modes
    • Gradual by Pothier’s Protégé
    • Seven (7) Considerations
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 · February 2, 2020

“Mystery” about the Purification in the Extraordinary Form

From what I can tell, the chant “Exsúrge, Dómine, ádjuva nos”—which formerly was sung while candles were being distributed, toward the end—was removed in 1962. It does not appear in the official 1962 Missale Romanum. Nor does it appear in the 1961 Solesmes Graduale Romanum. The Liber Usualis has it, but it’s well known that […]

Jeff Ostrowski · January 31, 2020

A Traditional—But Bizarre!—Way To Assist At Mass

Just because I’m aware of something that happened in the past doesn’t mean I endorse it.

Follow the Discussion on Facebook

Jeff Ostrowski · January 28, 2020

Photos! • Brébeuf Choral Supplement Has Arrived

The Brébeuf hymnal collection is now complete—and it’s truly revolutionary!

Follow the Discussion on Facebook

Jeff Ostrowski · January 28, 2020

Pothier’s 1906 “De Caetero” Letter • 3 Translations

“The Catholic tradition cannot be that of any special school, either ancient or modern…” —Abbot Pothier

Jeff Ostrowski · January 28, 2020

Anger at mistakes?

I have a bad habit of getting frustrated when choir members take a long time to learn a particular interval or entrance. But this can be “cured.” It was cured a few weeks ago, when I made a mistake. I was supposed to go down a minor third, but instead I went down a perfect […]

Jeff Ostrowski · January 27, 2020

Photograph • Fr. Valentine w/ Composer Kevin Allen

Please keep Fr. Valentine in your prayers—thank you!

Follow the Discussion on Facebook

Jeff Ostrowski · January 26, 2020

“The old man carried the Child, but the Child led the old man.”

The Antiphon for First Vespers of the Feast of the Purification (February 2nd) is beautiful: “The old man carried the Child, but it was the Child who was guiding the old man. The Virgin bore the Child, and after child-bearing was virgin still: whom she bore, him she adored.” —Senex púerum portábat, puer autem senem […]

Jeff Ostrowski · January 23, 2020

A quote from Fr. Valentine Young

I had one brother who was out of the church for quite a few years. When my mother was asked, “Did she worry about him?” I remember her answer: “I don’t worry about him; I just pray for him.” She left that in God’s hands. My mother did not live to see her son return […]

Jeff Ostrowski · January 23, 2020

Extremely Rare! • 1908 Solesmes Graduale (PDF Download)

I’ve been searching for this book for twenty years! • For the first time in history, the Graduale Romanum from 1908 (with Solesmes rhythmic markings) has been scanned and uploaded • Includes copious and detailed information about the rhythm of the Editio Vaticana (“Vatican Edition”) you won’t find anywhere else+

Follow the Discussion on Facebook

Jeff Ostrowski · January 23, 2020

“Theoricam practicamque”

In a book printed by Solesmes Abbey in 1902, “Kyrie Rex Genitor” is also called Theoricam practicamque. Can anyone explain why? And how does that translate into English? “Theoricam practicamque vitam regens Deus Pater.”

Follow the Discussion on Facebook

Jeff Ostrowski · January 21, 2020

This old holy card says it all…

For priests, it reads: “In memory of that day on which was given what is not given to angels—that I should offer God to God.”

Follow the Discussion on Facebook

Jeff Ostrowski · January 21, 2020

PDF Download • “Lucis Creator Optime” (Vespers Hymn)

I followed the “Brébeuf hymnal method,” in which every verse is written out…

Follow the Discussion on Facebook

Jeff Ostrowski · January 20, 2020

Comparison • “1909 Missal vs. 1999 Missal”

A picture is truly worth 1,000 words!

Follow the Discussion on Facebook

Jeff Ostrowski · January 20, 2020

Fr. Valentine Young, OFM — R.I.P.

Father Valentine Young, OFM—a faithful Catholic priest—died on 17 January 2020 around 8:00am.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 17, 2020

A quote from Fr. Valentine

Speaking of “nihil solliciti estis,” Fr. Valentine recently said: “I’ll bet that most people, including myself, have suffered more from things that never happened than from things that actually did happen.” Wise words!

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 95
  • Page 96
  • Page 97
  • Page 98
  • Page 99
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 183
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    “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
    “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

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

Ambrose and Prudentius took something classical and made it Christian; the revisers and their imitators took something Christian and tried to make it classical. The result may be pedantry, and sometimes perhaps poetry; but it is not piety. “Accessit Latinitas, discessit pietas.”

— Fr. Joseph Connelly (1954)

Recent Posts

  • “Reminder” — Month of November (2025)
  • “Reader Feedback” • 5 November 2025
  • Never Work For A Priest Or Bishop Who Believes Sacred Music Should Be “Entertainment”
  • When Pilgrims Sing, the World Disappears
  • “Offertory” at Catholic Funerals

Subscribe

Subscribe

* indicates required

Copyright © 2025 Corpus Christi Watershed · Isaac Jogues 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.