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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

Holy Week

Jeff Ostrowski · March 29, 2023

“Seventy-Three (73) Changes” • Which Pope Pius XII Made to Holy Week

If we feel compelled to condemn these changes, let’s at least spend time learning what they are!

Keven Smith · March 29, 2021

A Short Reflection for Holy Week: On Love

May these thoughts on selfless love encourage you to persevere through Holy Week.

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Keven Smith · March 22, 2021

Hidden Gem: Crux Fidelis (attr. King John IV of Portugal)

I don’t know who really wrote this motet, but I do know it’s a soothing and highly accessible selection for Holy Week.

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Fr. David Friel · March 13, 2021

Holy Week Chants • Clergy Training

An introduction to the English chants of Holy Week for clergy

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Fr. David Friel · February 18, 2021

CDW Guidance for Holy Week 2021

Bishops have broad freedom to determine what adaptations may be necessary in 2021.

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Fr. David Friel · April 5, 2020

Craving the Body of Christ

Insights from Joseph of Arimathea

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Fr. David Friel · March 20, 2020

CDW Guidelines for Holy Week 2020

The Congregation has released a short document with pertinent guidance.

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Jeff Ostrowski · April 15, 2017

“Reproaches” for Good Friday (Recording)

The indispensable “Musician’s Guide to Good Friday,” including a 50-page PDF and rehearsal videos!

Fr. David Friel · January 22, 2017

Motet for Three Voices: “O Crux Ave” 1

This piece is ideal for use as a motet during the veneration of the Holy Cross at the Good Friday liturgy.

Fr. David Friel · March 6, 2016

Parish Lenten Programs • 15 Suggestions

Simply adhering to the liturgical traditions of the Church would be a wonderful Lenten program for every parish.

Fr. David Friel · January 24, 2016

Motet for Three Voices: “O Crux Ave”

This piece is ideal for use as a motet during the veneration of the Holy Cross at the Good Friday liturgy.

Veronica Brandt · April 11, 2015

How did your Holy Week go?

Singing for the Sacred Triduum and Easter ceremonies is an awesome privilege. Coming out the other side can be very sweet indeed, even when things didn’t always go quite as planned.

Fr. David Friel · March 29, 2015

Essential Resources for Holy Week

Knowing What Is Needed

Richard J. Clark · March 27, 2015

Five Things Directors and Choirs Must Remember This Week

You may forever change the lives of someone you do not know in ways you will never know.

Richard J. Clark · February 27, 2015

Helping Your Deacon or Priest Learn the Exsultet

Singing the “Exsultet” can be intimidating! Six pages of endless notes and words? Here are some helpful tools.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    “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
    “Music List” • All Souls (2 November)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 2 November 2025, which is the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (“All Souls”). 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 top-notch feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin. In my humble opinion, it’s weird to have the feast of All Saints on a Sunday. No wonder the close associate of Pope Saint Paul VI said the revised KALENDAR was “the handiwork of a trio of maniacs.” However, I can’t deny that sometimes the sacred liturgy consists of elements that are seemingly contradictory: e.g. the Mode 7 “De Profúndis” ALLELUIA, or the Mode 8 “Dulce lignum” ALLELUIA on the various ancient feasts of the Holy Cross (3 May, 14 September, and so on).
    —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

“You should try to eat their food in the way they prepare it, although it may be dirty, half-cooked, and very tasteless. As to the other numerous things which may be unpleasant, they must be endured for the love of God, without saying anything or appearing to notice them.”

— Fr. Paul Le Jeune (1637)

Recent Posts

  • “Offertory” at Catholic Funerals
  • “In Paradisum” • Gregorian Chant
  • The Beauty of the Propers for All Souls’ Day (and the Requiem Mass)
  • Gospel Options for 2 November (“All Souls”)
  • “Music List” • All Souls (2 November)

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