Views from the Choir Loft

Articles

Jeff Ostrowski · November 18, 2014

“As you might imagine, it was a disaster.”

“While most worshipers were stumbling through the Introit or Collect, a few fluent in Latin would be loudly racing through the prayers.”

Jeff Ostrowski · November 18, 2014

A Photograph “Progressive” Liturgists Cannot Abide

Pope Paul VI wearing the Cappa Magna.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 17, 2014

Authentic Sacred Music Programs & King Of The Hill

We’re called to discover Christ and conform our lives to His teachings.

Fr. David Friel · November 16, 2014

Colloquium Friends & Chant Workshops

“Adventus Dona” in the Diocese of San Diego

Veronica Brandt · November 15, 2014

Advent Music

Waiting for the season of waiting.

Richard J. Clark · November 14, 2014

I’m not here to make you or me happy. | Music as a Virtue

It is not the point of sacred music to make individuals or even the Music Director happy.

Dr. Peter Kwasniewski · November 13, 2014

Difference between the Two Priesthoods

What exactly is the difference between the universal priesthood of the baptized and the ministerial priesthood of the ordained?

Andrew R. Motyka · November 12, 2014

Eyes on Your Own Paper

The importance of focusing on our own work.

Fr. David Friel · November 12, 2014

Restoring A Sense of the Sacred to the Mass

A Great Article over at One Peter Five

Jeff Ostrowski · November 10, 2014

St. Thomas Aquinas College In California

Below are a few pictures I snapped during my visit.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 9, 2014

“Fear Of The Dark-Skinned” — Really?

“Right-wing Christians push fear of the dark-skinned and fear of honesty.” —National Catholic Reporter (28 October 2014)

Fr. David Friel · November 9, 2014

Sacred Architecture & the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

When we come to church, there should be no question whether we are in a church or in a coffeehouse or in a multipurpose gym.

Veronica Brandt · November 8, 2014

Preparing for an EF Sung Mass

Preparing music folders for a Missa Cantata – all the essentials and a few handy desirables.

Richard J. Clark · November 7, 2014

Can’t sing? Sing the dialogues!

Reverence, prayer, and internal participation increased through this act of external participation.

Dr. Peter Kwasniewski · November 6, 2014

How Liberalism Undermines Itself

Freedom for all sounds nice in theory, but how does it work in practice?

PDF • “Music List” (4th Sunday of Advent)

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 21 December 2025, which is the 4th Sunday of Advent (Year A). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The ENTRANCE CHANT is the famous “Roráte Coeli” and the fauxbourdon setting of the COMMUNION is exquisite. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are available at the feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF • Our Lady of Guadalupe (12 Dec.)

The Responsorial Psalm may be downloaded as a PDF file (organist & vocalist) for 12 December, which is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. When it comes to the formulary for this Mass, it’s astounding how infrequently it’s included in official books. Prior to Vatican II, one had to search through “supplemental material” printed in the back of hand-missals and graduals. But since 1970, the feast is virtually nonexistent. According to the UNIVERSAL KALENDAR, 12 December is the “Feast of Saint Jane Frances De Chantal, Religious” (Die 12 decembris: S. Ioannæ Franciscæ de Chantal, religiosæ). Why should that feast overpower Our Lady of Guadalupe? In the United States, OLG is celebrated—and I’d assume in Mexico, Central America, South America, and Canada—but, as I said, the Propria Missae are virtually impossible to locate. I possess only three books which mention this feast.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Simplified Accompaniment (Advent Hymn)

Many organists are forced to simultaneously serve as both CANTOR and ACCOMPANIST. In spite of what some claim, this can be difficult. I invite you to download this simplified organ accompaniment (PDF) which in the Father Brébeuf Hymnal is hymn #661: “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” (for ADVENT). I’m toying with the idea of creating a whole bunch of these, to help amateur organists. The last one I uploaded was downloaded more than 2,900 times in a matter of hours—so there appears to be interest.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • “Santo Santo Santo”

Those searching for a dignified, brief, simple, bright setting of SANCTUS in Spanish (“Santo Santo Santo”) are invited to download this Setting in honor of Saint John Brébeuf (organist & vocalist). I wonder if there would be any interest in me recording a rehearsal video for this piece.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Pope Leo XIV on Sacred Music

On 5 December 2025, Pope Leo XIV made this declaration with regard to liturgical music.

—Corpus Christi Watershed

“Translations Approved for Liturgical Use”

According to the newsletter for USSCB’s Committee on Divine Worship dated September 1996, there are three (3) translations of the Bible which can be used in the sacred liturgy in the United States. You can read this information with your own eyes. It seems the USCCB and also Rome fully approved the so-called NRSV (“New Revised Standard Version”) on 13 November 1991 and 6 April 1992 but this permission was then withdrawn in 1994.

—Corpus Christi Watershed