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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

Carmen Gregorianum

Jeff Ostrowski · October 2, 2024

English Plainchant Revival • “Is It Real?”

Let Busoni’s statement serve as a reminder to Catholic music directors everywhere.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 24, 2024

PDF Download • “Entrance Chant” in English (26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B)

Sometimes one hears the objection: “But Gregorian Chant was not originally accompanied on the organ…”

Jeff Ostrowski · July 23, 2024

PDF Download • “Entrance Chant” for the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Years ABC)

Including ten (10) alternate versions!

Jeff Ostrowski · June 15, 2024

Excellent Choral Sound • “How Best Obtain This?”

Without rehearsal time, what can be done?

Jeff Ostrowski · May 15, 2024

Documentation • “In the Olden Days, Was Vernacular Sung During Liturgical Services?”

Including a splendid harmonization of “Holy God, We Praise Thy Name.”

Follow the Discussion on Facebook

Dr. Charles Weaver · May 4, 2024

A Couple of Recent Podcast Appearances

I’ve participated in some recent conversations about chant that might be of interest to our readers.

Jeff Ostrowski · April 25, 2024

Update (25 April) • “Forthcoming Spanish Hymnal”

“When our people have the courage to break resolutely with a bad tradition, there are unworked mines of religious poetry in the old hymns that we can use in translations.” —Father Adrian Fortescue

Jeff Ostrowski · March 15, 2024

Jeff Ostrowski Attempts to Sing the Easter Introit

I opted for the Church’s official rhythm.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 9, 2024

The Day My Life Changed Forever

Do we believe sacred music exists?

Jeff Ostrowski · February 10, 2024

Must We “Love” All Gregorian Chant?

Where “Parce Dómine” (the famous song for Lent) came from.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 6, 2024

“Mass in the Vernacular?” • Seven (7) Considerations

Should Mass be in Latin or English? Or should it be a mixture?

Jeff Ostrowski · February 2, 2024

Abbat Bourigaud Challenges Dr. Charles Weaver!

Father De Santi opined that “Solesmes had rid themselves of Pothier by giving him an abbey”—to which Pope Pius X responded that it amounted to “a small compensation.”

Jeff Ostrowski · January 29, 2024

PDF Score • “Mass Setting I Wrote For Corrinne”

I demonstrate how the “Kyrie Eleison” can be adapted for use in the Extraordinary Form.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 23, 2024

Response to Mike’s Letter • “Six Concrete Examples”

“I would dismiss it as the second text writer being lazy and stealing someone else’s music…” —Michael H.

Follow the Discussion on Facebook

Jeff Ostrowski · January 18, 2024

Gregorian Chant … with a drone?

It’s possible to sing Carmen Gregorianum with a drone note (a.k.a. “ison”) but is this always a good idea? I’ve heard it done very poorly. We tried singing GLORIA IX with an ison last Sunday. Feel free to listen to this excerpt (Mp3) and let me know your thoughts.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    “Reminder” — Month of November (2025)
    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. Signing up couldn’t be easier: simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Offertory” at Catholic Funerals
    I have argued that the OFFERTORY—at least in its ancient form—is more of a responsory than an antiphon. The 1962 Missal specifically calls it “Antiphona ad Offertorium.” From now on, I plan to use this beautiful setting (PDF) at funerals, since it cleverly inserts themes from the absolution of the body. Tons more research needs to be done on the OFFERTORY, which often is a ‘patchwork’ stitching together various beginnings and endings of biblical verses. For instance, if you examine the ancient verses for Dómine, vivífica me (30th Sunday in Ordinary Time) you’ll discover this being done in a most perplexing way. Rebecca Maloy published a very expensive book on the OFFERTORY, but it was a disappointment. Indeed, I can’t think of a single valuable insight contained in her book. What a missed opportunity!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “In Paradisum” • Gregorian Chant
    As a RECESSIONAL on All Souls’ Day (November 2nd), we will sing In Paradísum Dedúcant Te Ángeli (PDF). When it comes to Gregorian Chant, this is one of the most popular “songs.” Frankly, all the prayers and chants from the traditional REQUIEM MASS (Missa exsequialis or Missa pro defunctis) are incredibly powerful and never should’ve been scuttled. Click here to hear “In Paradisum” in a recording I made this afternoon. Professor Louis Bouyer spoke of the way Bugnini “scuttled the office of the dead” in this fascinating excerpt from his memoirs. In his book, La riforma litugica (1983), Bugnini bragged—in quite a shameful way—about eliminating the ancient funeral texts, and even admitted those venerable texts were “beloved” (his word) by Catholics.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    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
    “Our Father” • Musical Setting?
    Looking through a Roman Catholic Hymnal published in 1859 by Father Guido Maria Dreves (d. 1909), I stumbled upon this very beautiful tune (PDF file). I feel it would be absolutely perfect to set the “Our Father” in German to music. Thoughts?
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

Religious worship supplies all our spiritual need, and suits every mood of mind and variety of circumstance.

— John Henry Cardinal Newman

Recent Posts

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  • “Offertory” at Catholic Funerals

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