Views from the Choir Loft

Liturgy of the Second Vatican Council

Mark Haas · July 12, 2025

Worship the Lord in Holy Attire

“Dressing with care and reverence for Mass is a sign—not just to God, but to others—of our awareness of the sacred.”

Fr. David Friel · September 16, 2020

Solesmes Publishes “Antiphonale Romanum I” for Lauds

This 2020 chant edition makes possible the chanting of Lauds according to the Liturgy of the Hours.

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Fr. David Friel · December 11, 2016

The Historic Adaptability of the Marriage Rite

Evidence from Trent and Vatican II

Jeff Ostrowski · September 9, 2016

A Serious Question About Vatican II

Vatican II spoke of “useless repetitions” in the liturgy, and said these should be examined…

Fr. David Friel · July 17, 2016

Are the Readings at Mass Meant to Be Didactic or Doxological?

Reflections from the Fota IX International Liturgy Conference

Fr. David Friel · June 23, 2016

Colloquium 2016 • Day 3

The Organic Development of the Liturgy and the New Music Breakouts

Fr. David Friel · January 31, 2016

Too Many Options

Allowing Adolescents to Choose Their Faith & the Wide-Open Permissions of the GIRM

Fr. David Friel · January 17, 2016

Sacra Liturgia UK — Registration Now Open

An International Conference on Liturgical Formation in Light of the New Evangelization

Fr. David Friel · June 28, 2015

In Memoriam: Dr. Lucy E. Carroll, DMA

Lucy was a friend and mentor to me, and I would like to share with you a little bit of her story.

Fr. David Friel · June 3, 2015

Sacra Liturgia 2015 — Update II

Fourteen (14) practical ideas for how a priest might transform his celebration of the Ordinary Form

Fr. David Friel · June 1, 2015

Sacra Liturgia 2015 — Update I

Cardinal Sarah reveals the instructions he received from Pope Francis upon his appointment as Prefect of the CDW.

Fr. David Friel · May 24, 2015

A Mini History of the Sequences

At the height of their usage, there were proper sequences for nearly every Sunday and feast day.

Fr. David Friel · April 12, 2015

Sacra Liturgia USA 2015

An International Conference on Liturgical Formation in Light of the New Evangelization

Fr. David Friel · March 29, 2015

Essential Resources for Holy Week

Knowing What Is Needed

Fr. David Friel · January 11, 2015

What to Do with Musicam Sacram

Does the 1967 Instruction on Music in the Liturgy have any relevance today?

“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

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