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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

Articles

Mark Haas · March 25, 2026

From Sentiment to Sacrament: Reclaiming Sacred Music for the Wedding Mass

“She could very well be the beauty, but my heavens, what does the groom look like?!”

Jeff Ostrowski · March 23, 2026

“Versions of the Psalter” • Jeff Interviews Top Biblical Scholar: Dr. Mark Giszczak

Including a special release—“Rare as a Unicorn”—Pius XII Psalter in Latin and English (1,545 pages).

Veronica Moreno · March 21, 2026

Summer 2026 • “Gregorian Chant Course” at Aquinas College (Nashville, TN)

Participants who complete registration and submit full payment by May 1 receive a discounted registration fee.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 19, 2026

PDF Download • Simplified Keyboard Accompaniments for Lenten Hymns

There’s nothing wrong with simplicity—so long as the music itself is inspired, memorable, dignified, and singable.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 17, 2026

Ending Good Friday on “Mi” … ?

I’ve always loved this variant.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 16, 2026

“Innsbruck Hymn” • Bach Saint Matthew Passion

Singers just love this melody!

Dr. Lucas Tappan · March 16, 2026

Dr. Tappan • Answers + Analysis: My “Inquiry” For Music Directors (3,087 words)

“This spring my chorister program will see the first priest ordained from our former chorister ranks.” —Dr. Tappan

Jeff Ostrowski · March 16, 2026

Eucharistic Hymns for Your Choir

From Los Angeles!

Jeff Ostrowski · March 15, 2026

Fulton J. Sheen • “24-Hour Catechism”

(10 of 50) “Humanity of Christ”

Corpus Christi Watershed · March 15, 2026

“Breviary Editors Did It First!” • Omitting Verses?

A reader says: “If a verse ends on a question mark, it might make sense to sing the verse that follows.”

Jeff Ostrowski · March 13, 2026

Consultor to the Vatican Council Enters the Fray • (Vis-à-vis Jeff’s Pipe Organ Assertion)

“The first breakthrough came in Czechoslovakia where they gave permission to play the organ on Good Friday.” —Father Percy Jones

Daniel Tucker · March 13, 2026

Palm Sunday • “Repertoire for Children’s Choir”

My children’s choir sang the soprano and alto parts of No. 4 last year…

Jeff Ostrowski · March 10, 2026

Most “Congregational” Hymn • (In My Experience)

The key ingredient for a good parish music program.

Mark Haas · March 10, 2026

Music is the “Humble Handmaid” of the Mass

“Upon hearing this, my kids immediately glanced at me with horrified looks on their faces.”

Jeff Ostrowski · March 9, 2026

PDF Download • “Entrance Chant” for Holy Thursday (Plainsong in English)

Only a foolish and stubborn person would claim that “hyena” is basically the same thing as “a holy person.”

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Pipe Organ “Answers” in Plainsong?
    In 2003, I copied a book by Félix Bélédin (d. 1895), who was titular organist—from 1841 to 1874—at the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Lyon (France). In 2008, we scanned and uploaded the book to the Lalande Online Library. Nobody knows for sure when the book was published; some believe it first appeared in the 1840s. In any event, one who examines this excerpt, showing GLORIA IX might wonder why it says the organ answers in plainsong. However, the front of the book explains, telling the organist explicitly when to “respond in plainchant.” This is something called organ alternatim. Believe it or not, the pipe organ would take turns with the choir, playing certain texts instrumentally instead of having them sung. I’m not very well-versed in this—pardon the pun—but if memory serves, ORGAN ALTERNATIM was frowned upon by the time of Pope Saint Pius X. Nevertheless, French organists kept doing it, even after it was explicitly condemned as an abuse.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Music List • (5th Sunday of Lent)
    Readers have expressed interest in seeing the ORDER OF MUSIC I created for this coming Sunday, which is the 5th Sunday of Lent (22 March 2026). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. Traditionally, this Sunday was called ‘Passion’ Sunday. Starting in 1956, certain church leaders attempted rename both ‘Passion’ Sunday and ‘Palm’ Sunday—but it didn’t work. For example, Monsignor Frederick McManus tried to get people to call PALM SUNDAY “Second Passion Sunday”—but the faithful rejected that. I encourage all the readers to visit the feasts website, where the Propria Missae may be downloaded completely free of charge.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Music List • (Holy Thursday, 2026)
    Readers have expressed interest in seeing the ORDER OF MUSIC I created for Holy Thursday, which is 2 April 2026. If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. I’m not sure I’ve ever heard a more piercingly beautiful INTROIT, and I have come to absolutely love the SATB version of ‘Ubi cáritas’ we are singing (joined by our burgeoning children’s choir). I encourage all the readers to visit the feasts website, where the Propria Missae may be downloaded completely free of charge.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “Gregorian Chant Quiz” • 24 March 2026
    How well do you know your Gregorian hymns? Do you recognize the tune inserted into the bass line on this score? For many years, we sang the entire Mass in Gregorian chant—and I mean everything. As a result, it would be difficult to find a Gregorian hymn I don’t recognize instantly. Only decades later did I realize (with sadness) that this skill cannot be ‘monetized’… This particular melody is used for a very famous Gregorian hymn, printed in the LIBER USUALIS. Do you recognize it? Send me an email with the correct words, and I promise to tell everybody I meet about your prowess!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Ubi Caritas” (SATB)
    I remember singing “Ubi Cáritas” by Maurice Duruflé at the conservatory. I was deeply moved by it. However, some feel Duruflé’s version isn’t suitable for small choirs since it’s written for 6 voices and the bass tessitura is quite low. That’s why I was absolutely thrilled to discover this “Ubi cáritas” (SATB) for smaller choirs by Énemond Moreau, who studied with OSCAR DEPUYDT (d. 1925), an orphan who became a towering figure of Catholic music. Depuydt’s students include: Flor Peeters (d. 1986); Monsignor Jules Van Nuffel (d. 1953); Arthur Meulemans (d. 1966); Monsignor Jules Vyverman (d. 1989); and Gustaaf Nees (d. 1965). Rehearsal videos for each individual voice await you at #19705. When I came across the astonishing English translation for “Ubi Cáritas” by Monsignor Ronald Knox—matching the Latin’s meter—I decided to add those lyrics as an option (for churches which have banned Latin). My wife and I made this recording to give you some idea how it sounds.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Holy, Holy, Holy”
    For vigil Masses on Saturday (a.k.a. “anticipated” Masses) we use this simpler setting of the “Holy, Holy, Holy” by Monsignor Jules Vyverman (d. 1989), a Belgian priest, organist, composer, and music educator who ultimately succeeded another ‘Jules’ (CANON JULES VAN NUFFEL) as director of the Lemmensinstituut in Belgium. Although I could be wrong, my understanding is that the LEMMENSINSTITUUT eventually merged with “Catholic University of Leuven” (originally founded in 1425). That’s the university Fulton J. Sheen attended.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“However well equipped and trained a choir may be, all its good points may be obscured by an unsuitable accompaniment. In fact the organist can, in a large measure, either make or mar his choir. It must be owned, however, that the accompanist of Plainsong has to contend with many difficulties. […] The purist will still find his best enjoyment of the chant when it is sung unaccompanied, but to most a becoming accompaniment gives an added charm.”

— Benedictines of Stanbrook (1905)

Recent Posts

  • From Sentiment to Sacrament: Reclaiming Sacred Music for the Wedding Mass
  • Pipe Organ “Answers” in Plainsong?
  • “Gregorian Chant Quiz” • 24 March 2026
  • “Versions of the Psalter” • Jeff Interviews Top Biblical Scholar: Dr. Mark Giszczak
  • PDF Download • “Ubi Caritas” (SATB)

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