Views from the Choir Loft

Articles

Jeff Ostrowski · May 28, 2013

The English And Their Hymns

I have noticed that the “English method” of hymnody prints the musical notes on one page and the words on another. Several experts explain why in this post.

Corpus Christi Watershed · May 28, 2013

Why Pope Won’t Fire Marini: “Put the Treasure of Tradition to Use”

Pope Francis: “Many have asked me about my choice to remove him from office and be replaced. I said no, just that I prefer him to even benefit me by his traditional formation.”

Cynthia Ostrowski · May 28, 2013

Catholic Line Art, Black and White • Installment #18

I will be releasing hundreds of these B/W religious line art drawings for free and instant download. These beautiful Catholic “woodcuts” were done with magnificent skill. “Download Free Traditional Catholic Clipart”

Jeff Ostrowski · May 28, 2013

Disney’s “That Darn Cat,” Life Teen Masses, and More

“Music has the capability of evoking a place and a context.” — Dr. William Mahrt of Stanford

Corpus Christi Watershed · May 28, 2013

Mass In Honor of St. Ralph Sherwin • Practice Videos

ICEL, New Translation, Roman Missal, Third Edition, 3rd, Mass, Catholic, English,

Corpus Christi Watershed · May 28, 2013

St. Anne Line • Practice Videos

ICEL, New Translation, Roman Missal, Third Edition, 3rd, Mass, Catholic, English,

Corpus Christi Watershed · May 28, 2013

St. Edmund Arrowsmith • Practice Videos

ICEL, New Translation, Roman Missal, Third Edition, 3rd, Mass, Catholic, English,

Corpus Christi Watershed · May 28, 2013

St. Bernadette Mass Setting • Audio Files

ICEL, New Translation, Roman Missal, Third Edition, 3rd, Mass, Catholic, English,

Corpus Christi Watershed · May 28, 2013

Saint Theodore • Practice Videos

ICEL, New Translation, Roman Missal, Third Edition, 3rd, Mass, Catholic, English,

Corpus Christi Watershed · May 28, 2013

Mass of the Prophets and Martyrs • Audio Files

Mass of the Prophets and Martyrs

Corpus Christi Watershed · May 28, 2013

St. Edmund Jennings • Practice Videos

ICEL, New Translation, Roman Missal, Third Edition, 3rd, Mass, Catholic, English,

Corpus Christi Watershed · May 27, 2013

How To Chant The Readings At Mass

Instructions for deacons learning to sing the Gospel during the Catholic Mass.

Corpus Christi Watershed · May 27, 2013

Sung Propers: Various Simple Settings In English

Here’s a comparison of several complete musical settings of the Mass Propers by Fr. Guy Nicholls, Fr. Paul Arbogast, and others.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 27, 2013

Failure, The Liturgy, & Today’s Mr. Know-It-All

The priest who rejected my submission was very professional, polite, and encouraging.

Fr. David Friel · May 26, 2013

“Father, Not Everyone Can Sing”

How to Respond

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