Views from the Choir Loft

Jean de Brebeuf Hymnal

Jeff Ostrowski · November 6, 2018

PDF Download • “Pope Pius XII Hymnal” (1959)

Very few people have a copy of this incredibly rare Catholic hymnal.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 30, 2018

“Source Material” • The Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal

We assembled a staggering number of Catholic hymnals and selected only the very best material from each.

Jeff Ostrowski · August 27, 2018

PDF • Scottish Catholic Hymnal (453 Pages)

“Authorized by the archbishops and bishops of Scotland for use in the Scottish dioceses.”

Jeff Ostrowski · August 13, 2018

PDF Download • “Leeds Catholic Hymnal” (232 pages)

A hymnal out of print for fifty years has been scanned by Mr. Colin E. Jackson!

Jeff Ostrowski · July 22, 2018

Brébeuf Hymnal • “Behind the Scenes”

Creating a metrical translation like that, so very literal, is stupefyingly difficult.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 5, 2017

Rorate Caeli • “Very Ancient Catholic Song”

This Catholic hymnal was written by a priest named “Police.” (not kidding)

Jeff Ostrowski · September 27, 2017

Translations By Non-Catholics In A Catholic Hymnal?

The fear was that Protestant translators might distort the theology contained in the ancient Catholic hymns…

Jeff Ostrowski · October 24, 2016

PDF Download • Rare Hymnal by Organist at the Birmingham Oratory (1913)

Download all 572 pages—thanks to Peter Meggison!

Jeff Ostrowski · August 3, 2016

The “Long & Short” of Latin Hymns

Such underlay would be considered loathsome by composers like Guerrero. Indeed, it’s an impossibility!

Jeff Ostrowski · December 17, 2014

How Well Did Your Parents Know The Mass?

PDF Download: Order of Mass (Latin & English) printed in THE CROWN HYMNAL of 1911.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 7, 2014

PDF Download: Extremely Rare Catholic Hymnal From London (1948)

A 355-page collection of English hymns by musicians from Westminster and Solesmes.

Music List • (3rd Sund. Ordinary Time)

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for this coming Sunday: the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A). 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 available at the monumental feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Holy Name Hymn” (2-Voice Arrangement)

When we post a direct URL link, we frequently get thousands of downloads. But when scrolling is required, very few take the time. I mention this because those who click on this URL link and scroll to the bottom can download—completely free of charge—a clever 2-voice arrangement for a famous hymn to the Most Holy Name of Jesus. In a pinch, it can be nicely sung by one male and one female! It will be of interest to those who seek arrangements for two voices.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • Introit (3rd Sn. Ord.)

This coming Sunday, 25 January 2026, is the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A). The ENTRANCE CHANT (“Dóminus secus mare”) is somewhat rare because it comes from the New Testament. The authentic version in Latin—of astounding antiquity—was jettisoned in 1955 but restored in 1970. This rehearsal video has me attempting to sing the melody while simultaneously accompanying myself on the organ. I encourage you to print off the organ accompaniment (PDF) and play through it because it has extremely ‘happy’ harmonies.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Reminder” — Month of January (2026)

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

PDF • “O Come All Ye Faithful” (Simplified)

I admire the harmonization of “Adeste Fideles” by David Willcocks (d. 2015), who served as director of the Royal College of Music (London, England). In 2025, I was challenged to create a simplified arrangement for organists incapable of playing the authentic version at tempo. The result was this simplified keyboard arrangement (PDF download) based on the David Willcocks version of “O Come All Ye Faithful.” Feel free to play through it and let me know what you think.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • “In Paradisum” in English

We always sing the IN PARADISUM in Latin, as printed on this PDF score. I have an appallingly bad memory (meaning I’d be a horrible witness in court). In any event, it’s been brought to my attention that 15 years ago I created this organ accompaniment for the famous and beautiful ‘IN PARADISUM’ Gregorian chant sung in English according to ‘MR3’ (Roman Missal, Third Edition). If anyone desires such a thing, feel free to download and print. Looking back, I wish I’d brought the TENOR and BASS voices into a unison (on B-Natural) for the word “welcome” on the second line.

—Jeff Ostrowski

If it is the explicit will of the Council that the faithful are to be able to sing the “Gloria” or the “Credo” together in Latin [which it is] then indirectly there is being expressed here the obligation of regularly celebrating Mass with Latin Gregorian chant. And not merely occasionally, but with such frequency and constancy as to make the singing of these Latin texts a genuine possession of the faithful.

— Heinrich Flatten, Apostolic Protonotary & Canon Law Professor (Bonn)