Views from the Choir Loft

GIRM Paragraph 299

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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Jeff Ostrowski · August 23, 2016

“Ad Orientem” • Why I’m Rejoicing over Sloppy Errors in the Catholic Herald

His assertion that “smoking out enemies” is best done by appointing them to high positions in the Vatican is absurd.

Jeff Ostrowski · August 12, 2016

Major Media Outlet Re: “Ad Orientem”

Corpus Christi Watershed is mentioned and cited!

Jeff Ostrowski · August 1, 2016

Does Your Bishop Enforce The GIRM?

They will assume—and why shouldn’t they?—that “approved by the USCCB” applies to the hymns and songs…

Jeff Ostrowski · July 17, 2016

Showdown in Arkansas over “Ad Orientem”

The Bishop of Little Rock has sent a letter (14 July 2016) forbidding his priests to celebrate Mass “ad orientem.”

Corpus Christi Watershed · July 11, 2016

The Vatican Has Already Responded To Cardinal Nichols Regarding “Ad Orientem”

“No preference is expressed in the liturgical legislation for either position.”

“What Martin Luther Said…”

My pastor asked me to write little columns for the bulletin each week. The article for 20 July 2025 has been posted, and it’s called: “What Luther Said…” Martin Luther (an ex-priest and apostate) was an infamous heretic whose ignorance of JESUS CHRIST was only exceeded by his filthy and disgusting vulgarity.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Music List” • 15th in Ordinary Time (Year C)

Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I prepared for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (13 July 2025). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and propers for this Sunday are also provided at the the feasts website.

—Jeff Ostrowski

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)

This coming Sunday—13 July 2025—is the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). All the chants have been conveniently assembled and posted at the feasts website. The OFFERTORY, Ad Te Levávi, is particularly beautiful.

—Jeff Ostrowski

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

Antiphons Don’t Match?

A reader wants to know why the Entrance and Communion antiphons in certain publications deviate from what’s prescribed by the GRADUALE ROMANUM published after Vatican II. Click here to read our answer. The short answer is: the Adalbert Propers were never intended to be sung. They were intended for private Masses only (or Masses without music). The “Graduale Parvum,” published by the John Henry Newman Institute of Liturgical Music in 2023, mostly uses the Adalbert Propers—but sometimes uses the GRADUALE text: e.g. Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (29 June).

—Corpus Christi Watershed