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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

Free PDF: “The Mass Explained” (1954 Comic Book)

677 Know ELOW you’ll find some books about the Mass which will knock you off your feet! What’s funny is that the first two were designed for children, but I think they’re marvelous even for adults.

The first one is a 1954 cartoon featuring lovely spiritual reflections by Capuchin Fr. Demetrius Manousos. I cannot express to you how inspiring this book is. You can scroll to the bottom of the page to see a sample page, but why not immediately download the entire book?

* *  Campion Children’s Missal — Know Your Mass: 1954

(download PDF version)

(purchase in full color) — $16.00 per copy (not abridged)

REMEMBER:   The binding & print quality isn’t as magnificent as the Campion Adult Missals.

259 Kampion Children's Missal

This next book is pure gold. It’s an explanation of the Mass by Msgr. Ronald Knox … for little girls! I’d love to quote sections for you — the entire book is marvelous — but why not simply download the entire PDF?

* *  The Mass in Slow Motion — Msgr. Ronald Knox: 1948

(download PDF version)

(purchase this book) — $10.99 per copy

FINALLY, PLEASE CONSIDER INVESTIGATING the St. Edmund Campion Missal & Hymnal, which contains 120 full-color pages (explanations and pictures of the Mass). Here’s what an FSSP priest recently wrote me:

ECENTLY OUR PARISH received over 200 copies of the St. Edmund Campion Missals/Hymnals to replace a hodgepodge of missalettes and hymnals which had become worn and tattered over time and quite an eyesore. Moreover, unless they brought their own missals, visitors couldn’t follow the Mass because there was really nothing for them to use. From the luxurious “suede-like” feel of the cover to the illustrious photos and typesets in the book, parishioners and visitors alike are singing high praises of the new St. Edmund Campion Missals/Hymnals. People who never had owned a private missal had to settle for the missalettes in the pew which did not contain the Propers of the Mass. With the new missals they now can pray the Mass with the priest from the Introit to the Postcommunion.

The new St. Edmund Campion Missals/Hymnals are a real godsend. Yes, the price appears expensive at first, but when one considers the superb quality and layout of the book, the sturdy binding and thorough contents replete with Sunday and special Holy Masses and numerous hymns, suddenly it’s a bargain and worth the investment. No Traditional Latin parish should be without them!

Sincerely yours, in Christ,

Fr. Neal Nichols, FSSP
Pastor, St. Benedict’s Parish (Chesapeake, Virginia)

 

HERE IS THAT sample page I promised (see above):

680 Demetrius Manousos

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Liturgical Round (“Canon”) in C-Major
    Those who direct children’s choirs are always on the lookout for repertoire that’s dignified, inspired, and pleasing—yet still within reach of young choristers. Such directors will want to investigate this haunting liturgical round (PDF download) which has been married to the KYRIE from Mass VI (EDITIO VATICANA). I have provided an accompaniment, but it’s only for use during rehearsal; i.e. when teaching this round to your choristers. I also provided an organ accompaniment for the KYRIE—which some know by its trope (Kyrie Rex Genitor)—so that your congregation can take part when this round is used as a choral extension during Mass.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Latin Liturgy Association
    We note with pleasure that Mrs. Regina Morris, president of the Latin Liturgy Association, has featured—on page 4 of Volume CXXIX of their official newsletter—the three (3) terrific versions of the Stations of the Cross found in the Brébeuf Hymnal. One of the main authors for the blog of the Church Music Association of America said (6/10/2019) about this pew book: “It is such a fantastic hymnal that it deserves to be in the pews of every Catholic church.”
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Music List” • 28th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 12 October 2025, which is the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). 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 dazzling feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    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
    “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
    The American Catholic Hymnal, with IMPRIMATUR granted (25 April 1991) by the Archdiocese of Chicago, is like a compendium of every horrible idea from the 1980s. Imagine being forced to stand all through Communion (even afterwards) when those self-same ‘enlightened’ liturgists moved the SEQUENCE before the Alleluia to make sure congregations wouldn’t have to stand during it. (Even worse, everything about the SEQUENCE—including its name—means it should follow the Alleluia.) And imagine endlessly repeating “Alleluia” during Holy Communion at every single Mass. It was all part of an effort to convince people that Holy Communion was historically a procession (which it wasn’t).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Fifty years ago, Dr. Theodore Marier made available this clever arrangement (PDF) of “Come down, O love divine” by P. R. Dietterich. The melody was composed in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (d. 1958) and named in honor of of his birthplace: DOWN AMPNEY. The arrangement isn’t a strict canon, but it does remind one of a canon since the pipe organ employs “points of imitation.” The melody and text are #709 in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

Although the New Testament is now so much more important to us than the Old, we must remember that the archetype of the Canon of Scripture is the Old Testament. At first that was the whole Bible, to Christians as to Jews. When the apostles speak of “Scripture” they mean the Old Testament only. Indeed, the way in which the books of the New Testament came to be considered canonical was by making them equal to those of the Old.

— Rev’d Doctor Adrian Fortescue

Recent Posts

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  • Liturgical Round (“Canon”) in C-Major
  • PDF Download • Liturgical Round (“Canon”) for your Children’s Choir
  • Latin Liturgy Association
  • Important Quote by a Church Musician

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