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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

Jeff Ostrowski · November 12, 2024

Confirmed! • Bp. Woost Elected Chairman of “Committee on Divine Divine Worship”

For sixty years, Catholics have demanded to know what is gained by the ceaseless tinkering with liturgical translations.

Rebecca De La Torre · November 11, 2024

Advent • “Introducing Ancient Sacred Works”

“In less than a year, I was able to transition their Spanish Mass from completely contemporary to completely sacred. No parishioners were lost and the Mass attendance grew slightly.” —Rebecca De La Torre

Corpus Christi Watershed · November 11, 2024

Cardinal Arinze • “Recent Latin Mass Restrictions”

Francis Cardinal Arinze served as Prefect of the Vatican’s “Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments” from 2002 to 2008.

Corpus Christi Watershed · November 9, 2024

“Reader Feedback” • 9 November 2024

Let’s call this person “Harry.” (We usually redact names for anonymity’s sake.)

Jeff Ostrowski · November 8, 2024

Huge Discovery! • Rare Document Explains Why There’s a “Spoken” Version of the Propers

His statement is not only foolish, it approaches heresy!

Jeff Ostrowski · November 6, 2024

“Entrance Chant” for this Coming Sunday • Jeff Attempts to Accompany Himself on the Organ

Singing Gregorian Chant lifts one’s spirits. Agree or disagree?

Dr. Samuel Backman · November 5, 2024

Bending Your Ear • A Sound Theology

“The way in which music is deployed in the Holy Mass has a direct impact on how we understand our relationship with God.” —Dr. Backman

Jeff Ostrowski · November 4, 2024

Re: Copyright Status of “Abbey Psalms & Canticles” (PDF Chart)

There’s been considerable online discussion about this. Our readers have a right to know what’s at issue.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 4, 2024

“I Bow to Rebecca Raber Who Oversees the Music in This Chapel.” —Mike Aquilina

“This is not the choir!” … exclaims Mike Aquilina.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 1, 2024

“All Saints” • Jeff Ostrowski Tries to Simultaneously Accompany His Voice on the Organ

Although it beggars belief, in his entire life Father Josef A. Jungmann never celebrated a sung Mass—not one!

Corpus Christi Watershed · October 31, 2024

Pop Quiz • “How Well Do You Know Plainchant?”

Re: the “Communion Antiphon” for the Feast of All Saints (November 1st).

Jeff Ostrowski · October 30, 2024

PDF Download • “Entrance Chant in English” (31st Sunday in Ordinary Time) for 3-NOV-2024

With a brief digression on “feelings of inadequacy.”

Jeff Ostrowski · October 29, 2024

A Suggestion for Ordinary Form Masses

The idea developed (somehow) that having the priest wait 15 minutes for an item he needs is “good and reverent” liturgy. But that’s false.

Christopher Mueller · October 28, 2024

*Gasp* — Other Sacred Music Websites!

In a show of “web-ecumenism” I’d like to mention five today.

Veronica Moreno · October 26, 2024

PDF Download • “Seasonal Index” for the Brébeuf Hymnal

It’s been downloaded more than 4,000 times, so it seems useful.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    PDF Download • “Sprinkling Rite”
    Liturgical reformers who gained power after Vatican II frequently caused great suffering to musicians. With the stroke of a pen, they sometimes make changes that would require thousands—or even millions—of man hours (work undertaken by composers and editors). The Sprinkling Rite during Eastertide is but one tiny example. The version given in that PDF document was the original melody for Roman Missal, Third Edition. Some still prefer that version. However, at the last moment, an “unknown hand” tinkered with a few notes in the antiphon. Those who examine the current edition can verify this with their own eyes.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    ‘Sarum’ Good Friday?
    Plainsong of the Roman Rite has many variants—i.e. slight ‘variations’ or ‘alterations’ made to the ancient melodies. Variants often thrive in particular religious orders. Likewise, before Henry VIII broke away from the Catholic Church, Gregorian Chant variants were frequently associated with individual cathedrals in England: Hereford, Lincoln, Salisbury, and so forth. In the early 20th century, the (Anglican) organist at Westminster Abbey married “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” to this beautiful variant melody from England. Those who sing Gregorian Chant on Good Friday will recognize the melody. What do you think of this pairing?
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Eb Organ Postlude”
    Gustav Adolf Merkel (d. 1885) was a German organist, teacher, and composer. Although a Lutheran himself, he held the appointment at the (Roman Catholic) Cathedral of Dresden from 1864 until his death. You can download his Organ Postlude in E-Flat, which I like very much. He has an interesting way of marking the pedal notes. What do you think?
    —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

Participation at Mass must be “above all internal” (§15), and: “The faithful must be taught to unite themselves interiorly to what the ministers or choir sing, so that by listening to them they may raise their minds to God.”

— Musicam Sacram (5 March 1967)

Recent Posts

  • PDF Download • “Sprinkling Rite”
  • ‘Sarum’ Good Friday?
  • Gregorian Chant • The “Correct” Way of Singing ?
  • PDF Download • “Eb Organ Postlude”
  • Fulton J. Sheen • “24-Hour Catechism”

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