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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

Ad Orientem

Corrinne May · September 9, 2024

“A Coming Together of My Two Choral Worlds…”

Readers might get some ‘programming ideas’ from the list of pieces we sang.

Corpus Christi Watershed · July 24, 2023

(Clip) • Fr. Mike Schmitz endorses “Ad Orientem”

Is celebration “versus populum” a good idea? Father Mike’s answer might raise some eyebrows…

Jeff Ostrowski · February 18, 2023

Cardinal Roche on discouraging or limiting “ad orientem” celebration: “It is an absurdity”

Ponder this statement by the prefect for the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments (a.k.a. “CDW”).

Jeff Ostrowski · January 23, 2023

Folk Mass Clip • Priest Facing “Ad Orientem”

Then he got really angry (because it dawned on him what he’d just admitted).

Jeff Ostrowski · February 13, 2022

“Alleluia” • Gone For Good?

Two days ago, Bishop Ronald Fabbro of London (Ontario) released a rigid decree. Much could be said, but let’s take just one item. Bishop Fabbro demands that everyone adhere to “the celebration of Mass as found in the new Roman Missal (2011).” Then, in the very next sentence, he rigidly demands that all priests celebrate […]

Daniel Tucker · February 13, 2021

“Ad Orientem” Explained

This year, the priest at my parish will be offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass ad orientem on Fridays during Lent. I wrote the following “explainer” to help my parishioners understand what’s going on and why.

Andrea Leal · September 12, 2020

PDF Download • “Order of the Mass without a Congregation” (1970)

I find it interesting that the “Order of the Mass without a congregation” also tells the priest when he should face the Altar and when he not should face the Altar.

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Jeff Ostrowski · April 16, 2020

Yikes! • More Plagiarism from Boise’s Bishop

I did some digging—and the results aren’t pretty. I hope Bishop Christensen will immediately retract his directive, which contains false statements.

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Veronica Moreno · April 8, 2020

One more regrettable mistake by the Bishop of Boise, Idaho

See for yourself. On the left is the letter from 2020; on the right is a blog from 2016.

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Jeff Ostrowski · April 7, 2020

Banning “Ad Orientem” • Six Regrettable Mistakes by the Bishop of Boise, Idaho

Nobody’s perfect; we all make mistakes. His Excellency’s letter must be retracted as soon as possible.

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Fr. David Friel · April 8, 2018

The Turns at Benediction

To the Right or to the Left?

Jeff Ostrowski · January 14, 2017

Ratzinger talks “Ad Orientem” (2003)

Cardinal Ratzinger’s English is *fantastic* (as this video shows).

Jeff Ostrowski · January 2, 2017

“Table Altar” vs. “High Altar” (Novus Ordo)

It’s incorrect to say new Churches must be constructed with table altars.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 6, 2016

“Ad Orientem” • Archbishop Naumann’s Letter

“…there are, in the core of the Church’s sacramental teaching and experience, good contentions and corollary arguments to be made for both practices.” —Archbishop Naumann

Jeff Ostrowski · December 5, 2016

Bishop of Manchester • Letter Re: “Ad Orientem”

A $12,000 reward will be given to anyone who can produce a Vatican II document mentioning “celebration facing the people.”

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    2-Voice Arrangement for Lent
    Those seeking a two-voice arrangement for LENT and PASSIONTIDE should click here and scroll down. It’s based on number 775 in the Brébeuf Hymnal, with an enchanting melody written by Kevin Allen (the legendary American composer of sacred music). That text—“Pendens In Crucis Cornibus”—is often used for the Feast of our Lady of Sorrows. That link is important because, in addition to the musical score, it provides free rehearsal videos for each individual voice: something volunteer choirs appreciate!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Sanctus VIII” • Organ Accompaniment
    A few days ago, I composed this organ harmonization for SANCTUS VIII. This Mass is traditionally called Missa de ángelis or “Mass of the angels.” In French, it is Messe de Anges. You can evaluate my attempt to simultaneously accompany myself on the pipe organ (click here) while singing the melody. My parish is currently singing this setting.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Music List • (5th Sund. Ordinary Time)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for this coming Sunday, 8 February 2026, which is the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. You will probably notice it isn’t as ‘complete’ or ‘spiffy’ as usual, owing to some difficulties which took place this week.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “Reminder” — Month of Febr. (2026)
    On a daily basis, I speak to people who don’t realize we publish a free newsletter (although they’ve followed our blog for years). We have no endowment, no major donors, no savings, and refuse to run annoying ads. As a result, our mailing list is crucial to our survival. It couldn’t be easier to subscribe! Just scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Chart • “Plainsong Rhythm”
    I will go to my grave without understanding the lack of curiosity so many people have about the rhythmic modifications made by Dom André Mocquereau. For example, how can someone examine this single sheet comparison chart and at a minimum not be curious about the differences? Dom Mocquereau basically creates a LONG-SHORT LONG-SHORT rhythmic pattern—in spite of enormous and overwhelming manuscript evidence to the contrary. That’s why some scholars referred to his method as “Neo-Mensuralist” or “Neo-Mensuralism.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF • “O Come All Ye Faithful” (Simplified)
    I admire the harmonization of “Adeste Fideles” by David Willcocks (d. 2015), who served as director of the Royal College of Music (London, England). In 2025, I was challenged to create a simplified arrangement for organists incapable of playing the authentic version at tempo. The result was this simplified keyboard arrangement (PDF download) based on the David Willcocks version of “O Come All Ye Faithful.” Feel free to play through it and let me know what you think.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“I vividly remember going to church with him in Bournemouth. He was a devout Roman Catholic and it was soon after the Church had changed the liturgy (from Latin to English). My grandfather obviously didn’t agree with this and made all the responses very loudly in Latin while the rest of the congregation answered in English. I found the whole experience quite excruciating, but my grandfather was oblivious. He simply had to do what he believed to be right.”

— Simon Tolkien (2003)

Recent Posts

  • Fulton J. Sheen • “24-Hour Catechism”
  • 2-Voice Arrangement for Lent
  • Pope Paul VI • “Sacrificium Laudis” (15 Aug 1966)
  • “Sanctus VIII” • Organ Accompaniment
  • PDF Download • Sanctus VIII Organ Accompaniment (“Mass of the Angels”)

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