• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

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.”

  • Donate
  • Our Team
    • Our Editorial Policy
    • Who We Are
    • How To Contact Us
    • Sainte Marie Bulletin Articles
    • Jeff’s Mom Joins Fundraiser
  • Pew Resources
    • Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal
    • Jogues Illuminated Missal
    • KYRIALE • Saint Antoine Daniel
    • Campion Missal, 3rd Edition
    • Repository • “Spanish Music”
    • Ordinary Form Feasts (Sainte-Marie)
  • MUSICAL WEBSITES
    • René Goupil Gregorian Chant
    • Noël Chabanel Psalms
    • Nova Organi Harmonia (2,279 pages)
    • Roman Missal, 3rd Edition
    • Catechism of Gregorian Rhythm
    • Father Enemond Massé Manuscripts
    • Lalemant Polyphonic
  • Miscellaneous
    • Site Map
    • Secrets of the Conscientious Choirmaster
    • “Wedding March” for lazy organists
    • Emporium Kevin Allen
    • Saint Jean de Lalande Library
    • Sacred Music Symposium 2023
    • The Eight Gregorian Modes
    • Gradual by Pothier’s Protégé
    • Seven (7) Considerations
Views from the Choir Loft

Ad Orientem

Fr. David Friel · June 3, 2015

Sacra Liturgia 2015 — Update II

Fourteen (14) practical ideas for how a priest might transform his celebration of the Ordinary Form

Jeff Ostrowski · March 9, 2015

Cardinal Sarah’s Liturgical Bombshell

Pressure will be brought to have him walk back his statements, but I don’t believe he will.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 2, 2015

A Flawed Translation Of Ritus Servandus?

Why are the words “ad orientem” never translated?

Jeff Ostrowski · February 26, 2015

Screenshots Proving “Versus Populum” Was Allowed By The 1572 Missal

A reader from Indonesia kindly sent us these…

Fr. David Friel · January 25, 2015

Bishop Conley & Advent “Ad Orientem”

The results are in.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 1, 2014

The Current Missal Specifies When To Face the Altar & When To Face The People

The phrase “ad populum conversus” does appear in the postconciliar books, and no amount of polemical articles can change this fact.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 24, 2014

Weakest Argument Ever Made Against “Ad Orientem”

Some weren’t happy with Bill Murray’s opinions on the Latin Mass, and a certain editor—in his zeal to refute—made an egregious error.

Fr. David Friel · November 23, 2014

Looking East for Advent

Bishop Conley proposes celebration “ad orientem” for the season of Advent.

Jeff Ostrowski · June 9, 2014

Is There Truly “Versus Populum” Celebration? Vatican Says No.

Can AD ORIENTEM be excluded from the Novus Ordo? Vatican says: “Negatively, and in accordance with the following explanation.”

Jeff Ostrowski · May 20, 2014

Pope St. John Paul II Celebrates Mass “Ad Orientem”

John Paul II leads the congregation facing the traditional way during his June 1999 visit to Poland.

Jeff Ostrowski · April 7, 2014

Preconciliar Missal Allowed Mass “Versus Populum”

These same exact rubrics have been found in Missals published in 1962, 1927, 1943, 1906, and 1886.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 27, 2014

“Turn Those Altars Around!” — Cardinal Lercaro, Consilium President (1965)

Could this be the missing link explaining why “versus populum” celebrations took over?

Corpus Christi Watershed · January 13, 2014

Pope Francis Says Mass “Ad Orientem” … Again!

These images come to us from Msgr. Guido Marini’s Facebook page, which has more than 100,000 followers.

Fr. David Friel · November 4, 2013

Peculiar Altar Decorations

Reimagining the Altar Steps

Jeff Ostrowski · November 2, 2013

Pope Francis Celebrates Mass “Ad Orientem”

Pope Francis celebrating in this manner was a bit of a surprise, since members of his generation aren’t usually accustomed to “turning their backs on the people.”

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Page 2
  • Page 3
  • Page 4
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    A Nice Hymn In Spanish
    In my humble opinion, this is a really beautiful hymn in Spanish. If I practice diligently, I’ll be able to pronounce all the words properly. If you’re someone who’s interested in obtaining a melody only version (suitable for your congregational ORDER OF WORSHIP) you can steal that from this.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Music List” • 21st in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Our choir returns on Sunday, 24 August 2025. Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for it, which is the 21st 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 spectacular feasts website. When it comes to the feast of the Assumption (15 August 2025), I have uploaded the music list for that Mass—but not the “bi-lingual” Mass in the evening (Spanish, Latin, and English) which has completely different music.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Entrance Chant” • 21st Sunday Ordin. Time
    You can download the ENTRANCE ANTIPHON in English for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) which is coming up on 24 August 2025. Corresponding to the vocalist score is this free organ accompaniment. It’s set in a melancholy mode, but if you heard my choir’s female voices singing it your soul would be uplifted beyond belief. If you’re someone who enjoys rehearsal videos, this morning I tried to sing it while simultaneously accompanying my voice on the pipe organ.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    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
    Pope Pius XII Hymnal?
    Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Hybrid” Chant Notation?
    Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

In the Orthodox Churches they have kept that pristine liturgy, so beautiful. We have lost a bit the sense of adoration. They keep, they praise God, they adore God, they sing, time doesn’t count. God is the center, and this is a richness …

— Pope Francis (8/2/2013)

Recent Posts

  • Father Chris Smith Celebrates 20 Years as a Priest
  • “Practical Solutions to Impractical Problems” • Lerner’s Philosophy of Parish Music
  • Gregorian Chant Academy Free Workshop
  • Cardinal Heenan Speaks About Monsignor Knox
  • An Arranger’s Walkthrough of “King’s Weston” (PDF & MP3 Downloads)

Subscribe

Subscribe

* indicates required

Copyright © 2025 Corpus Christi Watershed · Isaac Jogues on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Corpus Christi Watershed is a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to exploring and embodying as our calling the relationship of religion, culture, and the arts. This non-profit organization employs the creative media in service of theology, the Church, and Christian culture for the enrichment and enjoyment of the public.