Views from the Choir Loft

Articles

Veronica Brandt · December 17, 2016

Random Acts of Beauty: the Vestment Fund

Looking for a chariitable appeal you can support in good conscience? Check out this new Vestment Fund.

Richard J. Clark · December 16, 2016

Art is an act of love.

At certain times, an artist requires refuge…

Veronica Brandt · December 15, 2016

Come to Sydney for a Retreat in Silence and Song

Sydney might not be famous for spiritual endeavours. Here is a peak at a few upcoming retreats for men.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 14, 2016

Musical Resources • 4th Sunday of Advent (EF)

“Look with favor, we beseech Thee, O Lord upon these offerings here before Thee…”

Jeff Ostrowski · December 14, 2016

Musical Resources • Christmas Midnight Mass (EF)

We won’t be singing “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” for Offertory!

Dr. Lucas Tappan · December 13, 2016

A Late Gift for Nicholasmas

Unfortunately we live in a society in which parents can no longer allow the culture to help form their children, and in most instances are forced to fight such an un-cultural leviathan.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 12, 2016

Bauer Family Sings “O Magnum Mysterium”

…Victoria lives, thanks to fine youngsters such as these!

Fr. David Friel · December 11, 2016

The Historic Adaptability of the Marriage Rite

Evidence from Trent and Vatican II

Jeff Ostrowski · December 10, 2016

PDF Download • “Rorate Mass” Booklet

Including a video snippet taken in Los Angeles.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 9, 2016

Musical Resources • 3rd Sunday of Advent (EF)

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice.”

Jeff Ostrowski · December 9, 2016

Help! Why does my printer leave off the clivis?

When I print this entire booklet, the Communion inexplicably erases every clivis in the psalmody.

Richard J. Clark · December 9, 2016

Strong Leadership and Admitting Mistakes • Two Stories

A sure sign of an insecure leader is one whose first instinct is to blame others when something goes wrong.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 8, 2016

And Now … Some Fantastic News!

Good people really do exist.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 8, 2016

PDF Download • Immac. Conception Music Booklet

Make sure to read the translation of the Offertory Hymn—so gorgeous!

Corpus Christi Watershed · December 8, 2016

Print This For Your Children To Color

Courtesy of John Sonnen.

“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

“Music List” • All Souls (2 November)

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 2 November 2025, which is the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (“All Souls”). 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 top-notch feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin. In my humble opinion, it’s weird to have the feast of All Saints on a Sunday. No wonder the close associate of Pope Saint Paul VI said the revised KALENDAR was “the handiwork of a trio of maniacs.” However, I can’t deny that sometimes the sacred liturgy consists of elements that are seemingly contradictory: e.g. the Mode 7 “De Profúndis” ALLELUIA, or the Mode 8 “Dulce lignum” ALLELUIA on the various ancient feasts of the Holy Cross (3 May, 14 September, and so on).

—Jeff Ostrowski

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