Views from the Choir Loft

Articles

Wilfrid Jones · January 11, 2013

Biography • Wilfrid Jones

Wilfrid Jones went on to a choral scholarship at New College, Oxford, where he read music before completing masters degrees in theology at the University of Birmingham and in education at the University of Cambridge…

Cynthia Ostrowski · January 10, 2013

Catholic Line Art, Black and White • Installment #01

I will be releasing hundreds of these pictures for general use by Catholics everywhere.

Fr. David Friel · January 10, 2013

Biography • Father David M. Friel

Father Friel was ordained to the Catholic Priesthood in May 2011 . . .

Veronica Moreno · January 10, 2013

Biography • Veronica Moreno

While at UCLA, Veronica earned an undergraduate degree in Ethnomusicology and went on to study special education at Cal State LA.

Gwyneth Holston · January 9, 2013

Gwyneth Holston

Gwyneth is a sacred artist who works to provide and promote good quality Catholic art…

Fr. David Friel · January 8, 2013

Warring Gods

The Ancient Worldview

David J. Hughes · January 8, 2013

David J. Hughes

David is Organist & Choirmaster at St. Mary Church in Norwalk . . .

Fr. David Friel · January 7, 2013

Little Christmas

Gift of Self

Jeff Ostrowski · January 7, 2013

Baptism of our son

Our son was baptized by Most Rev. Bishop René H. Gracida.

Dr. Peter Kwasniewski · January 6, 2013

Peter Kwasniewski

Peter has held posts with the International Theological Institute in Austria . . .

Andrew R. Motyka · January 4, 2013

Biography • Andrew R. Motyka

Andrew is Director of Liturgical Music for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis . . .

Andrew Leung · January 4, 2013

Biography • Andrew Leung

Andrew holds a degree in Sacred music from the Franciscan University of Steubenville…

Christopher Mueller · January 3, 2013

Biography • Christopher Mueller

Christopher is a church musician, conductor, and composer…

Cynthia Ostrowski · January 3, 2013

Extraordinary Form Hymnal

A brand new Latin Mass book—992 pages long—went to print on 12/24/2012.

Cynthia Ostrowski · January 2, 2013

Biography • Cynthia Ostrowski

Cynthia holds a bachelor’s degree in Geographic Information Science . . .

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