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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.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

Matthew Frederes • Article Archive

Mr. Frederes is a software engineer, pilot, served as an organist for 31 years, and directed small parish choirs/scholas for 22 years. He and his wife have 12 children. They recently moved to the Sierra foothills of Northern California. —Read full biography (with photographs).

Matthew Frederes · July 6, 2024

Bidding Starts in 4 Days on these Catholic treasures!

Christie’s Valuable Books and Manuscripts auction on July 10 will be offering a selection of important Catholic medieval and renaissance manuscripts for sale.

Matthew Frederes · May 8, 2024

J. R. R. Tolkien and Guéranger : Antiquarianism is Protestantism! Was Pius X an Antiquarianist?

The Church is a living body, that has grown from a seed to a full grown tree. It can never return to the seed.

Matthew Frederes · September 4, 2023

Revealed! • Father Enemond Massé Manuscripts of Sacred Gregorian Chant

Please enjoy this new addition to the website which provides a useful list of manuscripts discussed on this blog, for easy access to the same sources used by the contributors!

Matthew Frederes · August 8, 2023

“Graduale Romanum” • Rare Edition from 1661 A. D.

Today we release an exceedingly rare 1661 edition of the Graduale Romanum, in high resolution and in full color!

Matthew Frederes · March 6, 2023

Grant Awarded for Digitizing Over 400,000 Pages of Ancient Solesmes Manuscripts

REPERTORIUM has been awarded a large grant to scan and digitize over 400,000 ancient manuscript images from the Abbey of Saint-Pierre de Solesmes archive.

Matthew Frederes · March 4, 2023

Alfred Calabrese leads choir on EWTN with Archbishop Cordileone

Sign up today to hear Band of Voices, led by Alfred Calabrese, sing eight Latin motets on EWTN on Saturday, March 11, 2023. Archbishop Cordileone will be offering commentary as a Lenten reflection.

Matthew Frederes · March 1, 2023

Obedience In Sacred Music, Liturgy • Matthew Frederes Answers Patrick Williams

Obedience to the Church, and respect for Tradition is paramount in Sacred Music, as well as subjugation to the Liturgy. Was GR (1974) “The” Critical Edition? An incessant or insatiable thirst for variety and novelty is a vicious symptom of our modern age.

Matthew Frederes · February 27, 2023

Do We Need a Beautiful Cento, or an Archaic Reversion?

The Vatican Edition, as well as St. Gregory’s work were both a Cento built on tradition to unify the Church. Semiological editions are archaic reversions. A close look at the Puer Natus Est in both forms is offered.

Matthew Frederes · December 12, 2022

Recent Book! • “The Politics of Plainchant”

Fascinating details from never-before-seen letters recently discovered in southern France!

Matthew Frederes · November 10, 2022

Gregorian Rhythm Wars • “Frederes Feedback”

Why declare that rhythmic signs are permitted if alteration of any kind is unacceptable? It doesn’t make any sense…

Matthew Frederes · December 3, 2021

Biography • Matthew D. Frederes

In addition to being a husband and father of 12 children, Mr. Frederes is a software engineer, pilot, and served as an organist & choirmaster 33 years.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    PDF Download • 3 September
    According to the MISSALE RECENS, the Feast of Saint Gregory the Great occurs on 3 September (the date Gregory became pope). Formerly, his feast was celebrated during Lent, on 12 March (the day Gregory died). In Latin, the feast is: Die 3 Septembris: S. Gregorii Magni, papæ et Ecclesiæ doctoris. you can download the Latin Introit, the Latin Offertory, as well as the Communion with gorgeous fauxbordon in English. Abbat Joseph Pothier—along with Dom André Mocquereau, Bishop Laurent Janssens, Father De Santi, and other Gregorian superstars—sang with a choir of 1,210 voices (from 36 different Roman colleges) under the direction of Monsignor Antonio Rella. That Mass included the “Alma cohors,” a special SEQUENCE for Saint Gregory…much to the dismay of those who believe in strict adherence to rubrics. The Mass on 11 April 1904 was celebrated by Pope Saint Pius X, at the great GREGORIAN CONGRESS held in Rome “to mark the 13th Centenary of the death of Saint Gregory the Great.” Someday, there’s much I’d love to say about this congress. We even have recordings (!) from it (made in 1904 by the Gramophone Company) with choirs conducted by Dom Pothier, Dom Mocquereau, Dom Janssens, Monsignor Rella, Baron Kanzler, and others.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    New Bulletin Article • “7 September 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 is called: “Professor Bouyer’s Regret.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Cardinal Ranjith on “Active Participation”
    From 2005–2009, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith served as Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. He was considered ‘papabile’ during the last conclave. On 8 December 2008, he wrote this powerful statement concerning Gregorian Chant, participatio actuosa, celebration “ad orientem,” and other subjects. When it comes to the question of what “sacred” means, Monsignor Robert A. Skeris provides a marvelous answer.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Solemn “Salve Regina” (Chant)
    How many “S” words can you think of using alliteration? How about Schwann Solemn Salve Score? You can download the SOLEMN SALVE REGINA in Gregorian Chant. The notation follows the official rhythm (EDITIO VATICANA). Canon Jules Van Nuffel, choirmaster of the Cathedral of Saint Rumbold, composed this accompaniment for it (although some feel it isn’t his best work).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Pope Pius XII Hymnal?
    Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Hybrid” Chant Notation?
    Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“We must say it plainly: the Roman rite as we knew it exists no more. It has gone. Some walls of the structure have fallen, others have been altered—we can look at it as a ruin or as the partial foundation of a new building. Think back, if you remember it, to the Latin sung High Mass with Gregorian chant. Compare it with the modern post-Vatican II Mass. It is not only the words, but also the tunes and even certain actions that are different. In fact it is a different liturgy of the Mass.”

— Fr. Joseph Gelineau (1978)

Recent Posts

  • Is ‘Chant’ a Generic Word for ‘Sing’ ? • No!
  • PDF Download • 3 September
  • PDF Download • “Full, Conscious, & Active Participation” (12-page pamphlet)
  • New Bulletin Article • “7 September 2025”
  • Online Breviary With Chant

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