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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

Richard J. Clark • Article Archive

Richard J. Clark is the Director of Music of the Archdiocese of Boston and the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. He is also Chapel Organist (Saint Mary’s Chapel) at Boston College. His compositions have been performed worldwide.—Read full biography (with photographs).

Richard J. Clark · February 26, 2016

Sounds from the Spires • SiriusXM Radio • Jennifer Pascual

Jennifer Pascual, Director of Music at St. Patrick’s Cathedral hosts a weekly radio program on sacred music.

Richard J. Clark · February 19, 2016

122 Messengers of Peace • Dona Nobis Pacem

It’s never just about the music.

Richard J. Clark · February 12, 2016

Minimal Standards at Weddings and Funerals

It is easier to capitulate than to educate.

Richard J. Clark · February 5, 2016

The Three Pillars of a Successful Parish

There are three pillars that must be in place for a parish to sow the seeds of growth and vibrancy. If any one of them falls, the others suffer.

Richard J. Clark · February 1, 2016

EWTN Broadcast • Mass of Ordination • First Bishop of the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter

The elevation of bishop by Pope Francis of Bishop-Elect Steven J. Lopes is highly significant as the First Bishop of the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter.

Richard J. Clark · January 29, 2016

The Vulnerability of Choral Singing

The human voice voice is unique as it is the only musical instrument housed within our God given body. And those who sing before others utterly exposed and vulnerable.

Richard J. Clark · January 22, 2016

Lent is near.

Looming over church musicians is a quick transition of liturgical seasons. Here are just a few liturgical works for Lent and Easter.

Richard J. Clark · January 15, 2016

The American Boychoir Redefines the Choral Experience

Please pray for all who educate our children through music!

Richard J. Clark · January 8, 2016

Communion Antiphons for Lent • RCIA and Scripture

Propers for Lent and their relationship with RCIA and the scriptures

Richard J. Clark · January 1, 2016

Unprecedented • Orthodox Rabbinic Statement on Christianity

I urge you to read this astonishing statement more than once to absorb its magnitude.

Richard J. Clark · December 25, 2015

Christmas and the Universal Role of Music

The birth of Christ recalls a specific time and place as does the music of Christmas. It is sacred music that has poured out into an increasingly secular world.

Richard J. Clark · December 18, 2015

Podcast • Advent Communion Propers on “Sounds from the Spires”

There is such richness in the scriptures we sing in Advent. This is the kind of thing I find exciting! I am grateful to have discussed the propers with Dr. Pascual, Director of Music at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

Richard J. Clark · December 11, 2015

Orient toward prayer. Orient toward gratitude.

We may not convince anyone that certain music is more worthy than another. But we can all understand that sacred music must orient itself towards reverence and prayer.

Richard J. Clark · December 4, 2015

A Midlife Crisis and My Funeral

At my funeral, please pray for my soul. Please don’t “celebrate my life” (do that after…) or “celebrate my resurrection.” Pray.

Richard J. Clark · November 27, 2015

American Influence on the Liturgy

The liturgy suffers under the weight of the culture of mediocrity and instant gratification. Most distressing is a false sense of liberty that promotes a sense of entitlement, placing the preferences and opinions of the individual above all else.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    “Music List” • 28th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 12 October 2025, which is the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the dazzling feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Offertory” for this Sunday
    This coming Sunday, 12 October 2025, is the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). Its OFFERTORY ANTIPHON (PDF) is gorgeous, and comes from the book of Esther, as did the ENTRANCE CHANT last Sunday. Depending on a variety of factors, various hand-missals (all with Imprimatur) translate this passage differently. For instance, “príncipis” can be rendered: King; Prince; Lion; or Fierce lord. None is “more correct” than another. It depends on which source text is chosen and what each translator wants to emphasize. All these pieces of plainsong are conveniently stored at the blue-ribbon feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Why A “Fugue” Here?
    I believe I know why this plainsong harmonizer created a tiny fugue as the INTRODUCTION to his accompaniment. Take a look (PDF example) and tell me your thoughts about what he did on the feast of the Flight of Our Lord Jesus Christ into Egypt (17 February). And now I must go because “tempus fugit” as they say!
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    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
    “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
    The American Catholic Hymnal, with IMPRIMATUR granted (25 April 1991) by the Archdiocese of Chicago, is like a compendium of every horrible idea from the 1980s. Imagine being forced to stand all through Communion (even afterwards) when those self-same ‘enlightened’ liturgists moved the SEQUENCE before the Alleluia to make sure congregations wouldn’t have to stand during it. (Even worse, everything about the SEQUENCE—including its name—means it should follow the Alleluia.) And imagine endlessly repeating “Alleluia” during Holy Communion at every single Mass. It was all part of an effort to convince people that Holy Communion was historically a procession (which it wasn’t).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Fifty years ago, Dr. Theodore Marier made available this clever arrangement (PDF) of “Come down, O love divine” by P. R. Dietterich. The melody was composed in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (d. 1958) and named in honor of of his birthplace: DOWN AMPNEY. The arrangement isn’t a strict canon, but it does remind one of a canon since the pipe organ employs “points of imitation.” The melody and text are #709 in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“You should try to eat their food in the way they prepare it, although it may be dirty, half-cooked, and very tasteless. As to the other numerous things which may be unpleasant, they must be endured for the love of God, without saying anything or appearing to notice them.”

— Fr. Paul Le Jeune (1637)

Recent Posts

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  • Fulton J. Sheen Played The Pipe Organ!
  • “Music List” • 28th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
  • Dr. Samuel Backman • “Rooted In Tradition: The Allegory of a Tree”
  • Every Diocesan Music Commission Should Do This

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