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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

Veronica Moreno · July 2, 2024

We Were Where Peter Is

Our contributor and her family are greeted by Pope Francis on the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul. May their faithful prayers be heard.

Corrinne May · June 28, 2024

Can I Just Say?

Many of the choristers could not read music. How were they doing this?

Veronica Moreno · June 21, 2024

Jeff Was Our Choir Director

A choir member from Jeff’s choir reflects on singing for the long-term and expresses gratitude to the Ostrowski family.

Jeff Ostrowski · June 20, 2024

Jeff Has Left Los Angeles • “Final Communion”

We complain about the abysmal state of music in the Catholic Church—yet we ought to rejoice!

Richard J. Clark · June 19, 2024

Kathleen Pluth discusses hymn writing with National Pastoral Musicians

A recent podcast interview on “Ministry Monday” (National Pastoral Musicians) with Amanda Bruce.

Andrea Leal · June 19, 2024

FREE • Sacred Music Symposium Books Available!

These are packed with fascinating historical and musical information!

Jeff Ostrowski · June 15, 2024

Excellent Choral Sound • “How Best Obtain This?”

Without rehearsal time, what can be done?

Jeff Ostrowski · June 5, 2024

Mozart at Mass in Malaysia

Including a brief word about “Englishing” plain-chant.

Jeff Ostrowski · June 3, 2024

“Schmaltzy” Pipe Organ Music At Mass?

Tinctoris said: “There is no music worth hearing save that written in the last 40 years.”

Corpus Christi Watershed · June 3, 2024

We’ve Heard From Sister Anne Flanagan, FSP!

Some believe this to be the Church’s most ancient 𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒓 melody.

Jeff Ostrowski · June 1, 2024

“Lauda Sion” (Sequence) • Too Lengthy, Or Not?

At the end of the American Civil War, nearly 33% of all currency in circulation was counterfeit.

Dr. Lucas Tappan · May 31, 2024

Announcement! • New Director for Saint Paul’s Choir School in Harvard Square

“He’ll hold a position of national importance, especially in the eyes of those who work toward Catholic sacred music’s renewal from sea to shining sea.” —Dr. Tappan

Jeff Ostrowski · May 29, 2024

What Corrinne Did For Us!

A few days ago, our organization scanned and released…

Jeff Ostrowski · May 28, 2024

The Church’s Oldest Latin Eucharistic Hymn

May I tell you a secret?

Jeff Ostrowski · May 28, 2024

Some Advice • “Recruiting Choir Members”

How does the conscientious choirmaster get this snowball rolling?

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    “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

Quick Thoughts

    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

Random Quote

No concession should ever be made for the singing of the Exsultet, in whole or in part, in the vernacular.

— ‘Fr. Augustin Bea, S.J. in the years immediately before the Second Vatican Council’

Recent Posts

  • Never Work For A Priest Or Bishop Who Believes Sacred Music Should Be “Entertainment”
  • When Pilgrims Sing, the World Disappears
  • “Offertory” at Catholic Funerals
  • “In Paradisum” • Gregorian Chant
  • The Beauty of the Propers for All Souls’ Day (and the Requiem Mass)

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