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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

    Buckfast Abbey Weighs In
    Dom John Stéphan was a Benedictine monk of Buckfast Abbey in South Devon, England. On 4 February 1933, he published this interesting letter in THE TABLET. Have you seen the exterior of Buckfast Abbey? It’s beyond gorgeous. I doubt there’s a more arresting Abbey in the entire world. Dom Stéphan’s letter is concerning this momentous collection, which our organization obtained, scanned, and uploaded.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Responsorial Psalm Fauxbourdon?
    When it comes to singing Responsorial Psalms in Fauxbourdon, what does this sound like in practice? Can such a thing be done successfully with volunteer choirs in real Catholic parishes? Listen to this audio excerpt from Good Friday and see what you think. Our parish volunteer choir did so well this year—and the ceremonies were ‘standing room only’. For the record, that musical score can be downloaded (completely free of charge) from the flourishing feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Music List • (Easter Sunday, 2026)
    Readers have expressed interest in seeing the ORDER OF MUSIC I created for Easter Sunday—a.k.a. “Ad Missam in die Paschae”—which is 5 April 2026. Please feel free to download it as a PDF file if such a thing interests you. The Fauxbourdon for Communion is particularly moving.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    PDF • “Liturgical Law” (467 Pages)
    On Good Friday during the middle ages, the pope privately recited THE ENTIRE PSALTER. If you don’t believe me, see for yourself by reading this passage by Dom Charles Augustine Bachofen (d. 1943). His famous book—called “Liturgical Law: A Handbook Of The Roman Liturgy”—was published by the Benjamin Herder Book Company, which was the American arm (operating out of St. Louis, Missouri) of one of the world’s most significant Catholic publishers. Dom Charles Augustine Bachofen was born in Switzerland but spent his career between the Benedictine monasteries at Conception (Missouri) and Mount Angel (Oregon). His 1931 masterpiece, Liturgical Law can be downloaded as a PDF file … 467 pages!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “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

Random Quote

“In the Latin Church the pipe organ is to be held in high esteem, for it is the traditional musical instrument which adds a wonderful splendor to the Church’s ceremonies and powerfully lifts up man’s mind to God and to higher things.”

— Vatican II Council

Recent Posts

  • PDF Download • “Sprinkling Rite” + Psalm Verses
  • Buckfast Abbey Weighs In
  • PDF Download • “Catholic Hymnal & Service Book” (632 Pages)
  • PDF • “Liturgical Law” (467 Pages)
  • Gregorian Chant … with Organ Accompaniment?

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