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

Corpus Christi Watershed

We’re a 501(c)3 public charity established in 2006. We have no endowment, no major donors, no savings, and run no advertisements. We exist solely by the generosity of small donors.

  • Donate
  • Our Team
    • Our Editorial Policy
    • Who We Are
    • How To Contact Us
    • Sainte Marie Bulletin Articles
  • Pew Resources
    • Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal
    • Jogues Illuminated Missal
    • KYRIALE • Saint Antoine Daniel
    • Campion Missal, 3rd Edition
    • Repository • “Spanish Music”
    • Ordinary Form Feasts (Sainte-Marie)
  • 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
  • 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

Something That Would Fix So Much … But Nobody Mentions It

Jeff Ostrowski · February 16, 2016

750 Queen of Hearts HEN I WAS GROWING UP, my brothers and I hated the villains in television shows, especially the annoying ones. But now I realize that people watching the shows are supposed to hate the villains; that’s why they say “the villain you love to hate.” I suspect this is why the topic of Watergate—a subject I know a lot about—endlessly fascinates historians, who continue producing documentaries about it. After all, Nixon was such a captivating villain! He was passionate, complicated, sneaky, intelligent, and had severe emotional issues. 1

When it comes to Church music, addressing one liturgical abuse would fix a whole bunch of problems instantly—but this abuse is not being promoted by a “bad guy” like Richard Nixon. The villain is…SILENCE.

That’s right: silence. Nobody cares. Nobody will listen. Nobody will lift a finger.

EVER SINCE VATICAN II, CHURCH LAW has required approval from the local bishop to replace the Mass texts—but this requirement has been ignored. Indeed, the Bishops’ Liturgy Committee confirmed on 20 November 2012 that we are not obligated to follow the GIRM. To get around this, they said each local bishop gives his “tacit approval” to texts he’s never seen. To make matters worse, the USCCB “approval” on the front page of some hymnals doesn’t apply to any of the music! But the answer is silence. Nobody cares. As a result, 90% of Church musicians are not taught what Church law requires.

Try sending the following letter to your bishop’s office. You won’t receive a response:

    * *  PDF Download • Sample Letter to your Ordinary

Many liturgical blogs claim they wish to improve the sacred liturgy. Yet, the crucial issue—this purported “tacit approval” which has been abused by 90% of parishes for 40+ years—is never mentioned. Here at Watershed, we will continue doing what we can (in our own small way) to promote authentic Church music. But it’s strange how few seem willing to talk about this most serious liturgical abuse.



NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1   The documentaries often show “good guys” denigrating Nixon, but neglect to mention that many of these men have been caught playing fast and loose with truth. After all, why complicate things? It’s easier to simply make Nixon the “bad guy” and the ones against him the “good guys.” Please note: I’m not excusing Nixon’s deplorable behavior. I’m merely pointing out that many of his enemies were pretty unsavory human beings, too.

Here’s something you might not know. The whole point of Watergate was proving that “nobody, no matter how high up in government, is above the law.” However, at least one highly placed man never got punished for his crimes. You see, the famous source that gave information to Bob Woodward about Watergate was referred to as “Deep Throat”—and people sought his true identity until 2005. It turns out “Deep Throat” was Mark Felt, of the FBI. The reason he waited so many years to reveal his identity was that his actions were highly illegal. Moreover, “spilling” information about cases to the press was against the FBI code of conduct, considered by his colleagues to be extremely dishonorable. Mark Felt went on trial later on for other crimes he committed—having nothing to do with Watergate—but Ronald Reagan pardoned him.

Someone amazingly came to Mark Felt’s defense, giving money to his legal defense fund and even testifying on his behalf in court. That man was Richard Milhous Nixon.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Hilgartner 20 November 2012, Hymns Replacing Propers, Traditionis Custodes Vernacular, USCCB approval Last Updated: October 15, 2022

Subscribe

It greatly helps us if you subscribe to our mailing list!

* indicates required

About Jeff Ostrowski

Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004). He resides with his wife and children in Michigan. —(Read full biography).

Primary Sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Simplest “Agnus Dei” Ever Published
    Our choir is on break during the month of July. I needed a relatively simple “Agnus Dei,” so I composed this setting for organ & voice in honor of Saint René Goupil. It has been called the simplest setting ever composed. I love CARMEN GREGORIANUM (“Gregorian Chant”), especially the ALLELUIAS, INTROITS, and COMMUNION ANTIPHONS. That being said, some have pointed out that certain sections of the Kyriale aren’t as strong as the Graduale or Vesperale. There’s a reason for this—but it would be too complicated to explain at this moment.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Our choir is on break during the month of July. However, on the feasts website, the chants have been posted for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C), which is this coming Sunday: 6 July 2025.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Bugnini’s Statement (6 November 1966)
    With each passing day, more is revealed about how the enemies of the liturgy accomplished their goals. For instance, Hannibal Bugnini deeply resented the way Vatican II said Gregorian Chant “must be given first place in liturgical services.” On 6 November 1966, his cadre wrote a letter attempting to justify the elimination of Gregorian Chant with this brazen statement: “What really gives a Mass its tone is not so much the songs as it is the prayers and readings.” Bugnini’s cadre then attacked the very heart of Gregorian Chant (viz. the Proprium Missae), bemoaning how the Proprium Missae “is completely new each Sunday and feast day.” There is much more to be said about this topic. Stay tuned.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    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
    Antiphons Don’t Match?
    A reader wants to know why the Entrance and Communion antiphons in certain publications deviate from what’s prescribed by the GRADUALE ROMANUM published after Vatican II. Click here to read our answer. The short answer is: the Adalbert Propers were never intended to be sung. They were intended for private Masses only (or Masses without music). The “Graduale Parvum,” published by the John Henry Newman Institute of Liturgical Music in 2023, mostly uses the Adalbert Propers—but sometimes uses the GRADUALE text: e.g. Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (29 June).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“In accordance with the ancient tradition of the Church, institution to the ministries of reader and acolyte is reserved to men.”

— Pope Saint Paul VI (15 August 1972)

Recent Posts

  • Simplest “Agnus Dei” Ever Published
  • Bishop François Charrière Vs. Hannibal Bugnini
  • 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
  • “My First Year with the Latin Mass” • A Music Director’s Perspective
  • Boston Auxiliary Bishop: “In offering the Traditional Mass for the first time, after removing the vestments, I knelt in the back pew and wept.”

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.

The election of Pope Leo XIV has been exciting, and we’re filled with hope for our apostolate’s future!

But we’re under pressure to transfer our website to a “subscription model.”

We don’t want to do that. We believe our website should remain free to all.

Our president has written the following letter:

President’s Message (dated 30 May 2025)

Are you able to support us?

clock.png

Time's up