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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.”

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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.”

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    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 • “Music List” (Immaculate Concep.)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 8 December 2025, the feast of OUR LADY’S IMMACULATE CONCEPTION. If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The fauxbourdon setting of the COMMUNION is exquisite. In Latin, the title of this feast is: In Conceptione Immaculata Beatae Mariae Virginis. 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

Quick Thoughts

    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
    Gospel Options for 2 November (“All Souls”)
    We’ve been told some bishops are suppressing the TLM because of “unity.” But is unity truly found in the MISSALE RECENS? For instance, on All Souls (2 November), any of these Gospel readings may be chosen, for any reason (or for no reason at all). The same is true of the Propria Missæ and other readings—there are countless options in the ORDINARY FORM. In other words, no matter which OF parish you attend on 2 November, you’ll almost certainly hear different propers and readings, to say nothing of different ‘styles’ of music. Where is the “unity” in all this? Indeed, the Second Vatican Council solemnly declared: “Even in the liturgy, the Church has no wish to impose a rigid uniformity in matters which do not implicate the faith or the good of the whole community.”
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“The chants of the Proper of the Mass—that is, the Introit, Gradual, Offertory, Communion—in sung Masses may be chanted in the vernacular to melodies legitimately approved.”

— Statement (20 April 1964) by the Consilium, the group Paul VI put in charge of inventing the New Mass

Recent Posts

  • Crucial Tips • “Teaching Children How to Sing”
  • Soloists in Gregorian Chant?
  • PDF • Our Lady of Guadalupe (12 Dec.)
  • “Alma Redemptóris Mater” • Everything There Is To Know About This Marian Antiphon
  • Simplified Accompaniment (Advent Hymn)

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