Views from the Choir Loft

Articles

Jeff Ostrowski · September 20, 2016

Catastrophic Results of USCCB “Interpretation”

“Peace, peace, peace on earth; peace to God’s people, all people on earth.”

Jeff Ostrowski · September 19, 2016

Musical Resources • 19th Sunday after Pentecost

“Let Thy healing power, O Lord, in mercy deliver us from our waywardness…”

Fr. David Friel · September 18, 2016

Improving the Liturgy

Reflections on the Status of the Liturgical Movement

Jeff Ostrowski · September 16, 2016

Musical Resources • 18th Sunday after Pentecost

“Let the operation of Thy mercy, we beseech Thee O Lord, direct our hearts…”

Andrew Leung · September 15, 2016

The Power of Sacred Music

True Sacred Music brings hope and joy to those suffering.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 14, 2016

Do You Recognize This Hymn Tune?

One man’s hymn sensitivities are another man’s…

Cynthia Ostrowski · September 14, 2016

“Matri Divinæ Gratiæ” • 3-voice Motets (SAB)

Kevin Allen has released a collection every Roman Catholic choir will treasure!

Jeff Ostrowski · September 13, 2016

A Blemish On Hymnody Printing?

The word “Thy” is used in the Lord’s Prayer at every Mass, yet nobody struggles to understand it.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 12, 2016

Greatest Church Music Book Ever Written?

This volume by Paul Hume is supremely addictive!

Fr. David Friel · September 11, 2016

Composition Contest

Submissions Sought by the Conference of Roman Catholic Cathedral Musicians

Jeff Ostrowski · September 10, 2016

Chief Reasons For Mass “Facing The People”

Are you being rude to people sitting in pews behind you?

Jeff Ostrowski · September 9, 2016

A Serious Question About Vatican II

Vatican II spoke of “useless repetitions” in the liturgy, and said these should be examined…

Richard J. Clark · September 9, 2016

Three Things that Inform the Work of Every Parish: Hospitality, Catechesis, Evangelization

These three elements inform most every aspect of our service to God and the faithful.

Andrew Leung · September 8, 2016

Ten Reflections on “Pride of Place”

Giving Gregorian Chant the “pride of place” is more than just singing the Propers.

Dr. Lucas Tappan · September 6, 2016

The Current Heresy

He was right, I spoke an unforgivable heresy—boys and girls are different.

New Bulletin Article • “21 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 (dated 21 September 2025) discusses some theological items—supported by certain verses in ancient Catholic hymns—and ends by explaining why certain folks become delirious with jealousy when they observe feats by Monsignor Ronald Knox.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Cheap! Cheap! Cheap!

It’s always amusing to see old diocesan newspapers—in huge capital letters—advertising the Cheapest Catholic Paper in the United States. The correspondent who sent this to me added: “I can think of certain composers, published by large companies in our own day, who could truthfully brag about the most tawdry compositions in the world!” I wonder what she could have meant by such a cryptic comment…

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • Dom Murray Harmonies

Along with so many others, I have deep respect for Dom Gregory Gregory Murray, who produced this clever harmonization (PDF) of “O SANCTISSIMA.” It’s always amazed me that Dom Gregory—a truly inspired composer—was so confused when it came to GREGORIAN CHANT. Throughout his life, he published contradictory statements, veering back-and-forth like a weather vane. Toward the end of his life, he declared: “I see clearly that the need for reform in liturgical music arose, not in the 18th and 19th centuries, but a thousand years earlier—in the 8th and 9th centuries, or even before that. The abuses began, not with Mozart and Haydn, but with those over-enthusiastic medieval musicians who developed the elaborate and flamboyant Gregorian Chant.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Karl Keating • “Canonization Questions”

We were sent an internet statement (screenshot) that’s garnered significant attention, in which KARL KEATING (founder of Catholic Answers) speaks about whether canonizations are infallible. Mr. Keating seems unaware that canonizations are—in the final analysis—a theological opinion. They are not infallible, as explained in this 2014 article by a priest (with a doctorate in theology) who worked for multiple popes. Mr. Keating says: “I’m unaware of such claims arising from any quarter until several recent popes disliked by these Traditionalists were canonized, including John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul II. Usually Paul VI receives the most opprobrium.” Mr. Keating is incorrect; e.g. Father John Vianney, several centuries ago, taught clearly that canonizations are not infallible. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen would be another example, although clearly much more recent than Saint John Vianney.

—Corpus Christi Watershed

Vatican II Changed Wedding Propers?

It’s often claimed that the wedding propers were changed after Vatican II. As a matter of fact, that is a false claim. The EDITIO VATICANA propers (Introit: Deus Israel) remained the same after Vatican II. However, a new set of propers (Introit: Ecce Deus) was provided for optional use. The same holds true for the feast of Pope Saint Gregory the Great on 3 September: the 1943 propers (Introit: Si díligis me) were provided for optional use, but the traditional PROPRIA MISSAE (Introit: Sacerdótes Dei) were retained; they weren’t gotten rid of. The Ordo Cantus Missae (1970) makes this crystal clear, as does the Missal itself. There was an effort made in the post-conciliar years to eliminate so-called “Neo-Gregorian” chants, but (contrary to popular belief) most were retained: cf. the feast of Christ the King, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, and so forth.

—Corpus Christi Watershed

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