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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

Bishop Arthur Roche

Jeff Ostrowski · March 9, 2025

Re: Cardinal Roche Interview (6 March 2025)

For a number of reasons, this statement sounds fishy.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 28, 2025

Breaking! • “Cardinal Roche Vs. Bishop Paprocki” (Development on 23 Jan. 2025)

On 23 January 2025, Arthur Cardinal Roche attempted (?) to overrule the Vatican’s “Committee on Canonical Affairs.”

Jeff Ostrowski · March 4, 2023

Crd. Roche Breaks His Silence Re: Cardinal Sarah

Jesus Christ “will not snap the staff that is already crushed, nor put out the wick that still smolders.”

Jeff Ostrowski · February 25, 2023

Roche’s Rescript • “Canonically Binding? Yes or No?”

What bishops need to know!

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 · February 7, 2023

Did Pope Francis Just Publicly Rebuke the Prefect of Divine Worship?

Arthur Cardinal Roche has not had an easy time of it lately.

Corpus Christi Watershed · September 16, 2022

“Did Bishop Burbidge Violate Canon 932 in Order to Punish His Flock?”

“Holy Trinity is where Josh came into the Church, went through RCIA, and was married…”

Jeff Ostrowski · September 14, 2022

“Isolation Camps” for Summórum Catholics?

Today is the 15th anniversary of “Summorum Pontificum”—and some clerics are choosing coercion where persuasion has failed.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 1, 2022

“Face-To-Face” • Card. Roche + Pope Emeritus B16

Cardinal Roche met with Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on 27 August 2022.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 26, 2022

Open Letter to Bishop Roche • “12 Considerations”

I write in response to the 6 July 2022 statement by Pope Francis: “Make your voices heard! If they do not listen to you, shout even louder.”

Jeff Ostrowski · June 18, 2022

What. Did. My. Eyes. Just. See.

I am bewildered.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 5, 2022

IMPORTANT • Stunning News From Rome!

In this meeting—and subsequent statement—Pope Francis made it clear that institutes like the FSSP are not affected by “Traditionis Custodes.”

Jeff Ostrowski · February 8, 2022

Ruth Slenczynska & “Traditionis Custodes”

Bishop Arthur Roche recently sent out puzzling instructions which encourage “Ordinary Form” Catholics to ostracize and belittle those who prefer the Traditional Mass.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 31, 2021

Latin Mass • Conspicuous Snag in “Clarification”

Archbishop Roche says the ‘true’ parishioners are supposed to make it clear the EF people are lowest on the totem pole.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 18, 2021

Archbishop Roche: What the Ordinary Form “has to learn” from the Extraordinary Form

“The Extraordinary Form is another expression (older than the 1969 Missal) and is a valid expression of the Church’s liturgy.” —Arthur Roche

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    PDF Download • “Sprinkling Rite”
    Liturgical reformers who gained power after Vatican II frequently caused great suffering to musicians. With the stroke of a pen, they sometimes make changes that would require thousands—or even millions—of man hours (work undertaken by composers and editors). The Sprinkling Rite during Eastertide is but one tiny example. The version given in that PDF document was the original melody for Roman Missal, Third Edition. Some still prefer that version. However, at the last moment, an “unknown hand” tinkered with a few notes in the antiphon. Those who examine the current edition can verify this with their own eyes.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    ‘Sarum’ Good Friday?
    Plainsong of the Roman Rite has many variants—i.e. slight ‘variations’ or ‘alterations’ made to the ancient melodies. Variants often thrive in particular religious orders. Likewise, before Henry VIII broke away from the Catholic Church, Gregorian Chant variants were frequently associated with individual cathedrals in England: Hereford, Lincoln, Salisbury, and so forth. In the early 20th century, the (Anglican) organist at Westminster Abbey married “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” to this beautiful variant melody from England. Those who sing Gregorian Chant on Good Friday will recognize the melody. What do you think of this pairing?
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Eb Organ Postlude”
    Gustav Adolf Merkel (d. 1885) was a German organist, teacher, and composer. Although a Lutheran himself, he held the appointment at the (Roman Catholic) Cathedral of Dresden from 1864 until his death. You can download his Organ Postlude in E-Flat, which I like very much. He has an interesting way of marking the pedal notes. What do you think?
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “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
    PDF Download • “Holy, Holy, Holy”
    For vigil Masses on Saturday (a.k.a. “anticipated” Masses) we use this simpler setting of the “Holy, Holy, Holy” by Monsignor Jules Vyverman (d. 1989), a Belgian priest, organist, composer, and music educator who ultimately succeeded another ‘Jules’ (CANON JULES VAN NUFFEL) as director of the Lemmensinstituut in Belgium. Although I could be wrong, my understanding is that the LEMMENSINSTITUUT eventually merged with “Catholic University of Leuven” (originally founded in 1425). That’s the university Fulton J. Sheen attended.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“One of his most cherished wishes was to promote congregational singing wherever possible, for he held it to be most instructive for people of all classes and a powerful means of arousing an intelligent interest in the beauties of our sacred liturgy, especially in regard to the holy Sacrifice of the Mass. He loved to dwell in this respect upon the remarkable results achieved in parishes where the congregation had been taught to sing correctly the different portions of the Mass in plain chant.”

— Cardinal Merry del Val, speaking of Cardinal Sarto

Recent Posts

  • PDF Download • “Sprinkling Rite”
  • ‘Sarum’ Good Friday?
  • Gregorian Chant • The “Correct” Way of Singing ?
  • PDF Download • “Eb Organ Postlude”
  • Fulton J. Sheen • “24-Hour Catechism”

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