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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

melismatic morae vocis

Jeff Ostrowski · September 29, 2024

An Anglican “Mess”

If I live to be 100 years old, there’s something I’ll never understand.

Jeff Ostrowski · April 7, 2024

Jeff Writes A Song About Dr. Weaver And Himself

This article—a “mini-dissertation” on syllabic plainsong—writes songs using the names of various CCW authors.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 1, 2023

My Response to Dr. Weaver’s Latest Article

Is it fair to forever bind Dom Guéranger to what he wrote about “barbarous archaisms” in 1855?

Jeff Ostrowski · August 30, 2023

“Momentous Release!” • Freakishly Rare Gradual & Vesperal Published by Pothier’s Protégé (1,638 pages!)

He screamed into the telephone: “There’s no such thing as Gregorian Chant!”

Jeff Ostrowski · May 24, 2023

Analysis • “Archaic and Quack Ideas on Chant”

“Gentlemen: Nobody is going to follow the archaic and quack ideas on Chant you are trying to propagate.” Mr. John Sandar

Jeff Ostrowski · January 25, 2023

PDF Download • 1909 “Modern Notation” Gradual (Extremely Rare) — 712 Pages

The truth is stranger than fiction.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 11, 2023

PDF Download • Max Springer’s Gradual in Modern Notation (870 pages) — Extravagantly Rare!

In addition to this rare book by Max Springer (870 pages), I release the draft copy of a new Gregorian project (157 pages).

Jeff Ostrowski · November 25, 2022

PDF Download • Traditional Notation Gradual-Book (692 Pages) on Five Lines!

This book makes it easy for singers who only know Treble Clef.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 20, 2022

PDF Download • “How Does the Official Rhythm Actually Sound?”

Including three (3) professionally-scanned versions of the Kyriale, released here for the 1st time!

Dr. Charles Weaver · July 23, 2022

Pothier Teaches Us to Sing an Antiphon

A look at Dom Pothier’s performance instructions for a communion antiphon reveals a great deal of complexity in this pre-Mocquereau interpretive approach.

Jeff Ostrowski · June 1, 2022

The Official Chant Rhythm • “How Does It Sound?”

“The Vatican Edition … contains absolutely all that is needed for the exact rendition of the liturgical chant.” —Sacred Congregation of Rites (1911)

Jeff Ostrowski · April 1, 2022

Gregorian Chant • “Its True & Authentic Rhythm”

For this coming Sunday (Passion Sunday), there’s only one “MMV” singers must observe—and I placed a little arrow above it.

Dr. Charles Weaver · January 3, 2022

The Responsa ad dubia and the Solesmes Chant Restoration

The early history of Solesmes plainchant research provides a historical parallel for responding to current Vatican liturgical rules.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 12, 2021

PDF Download • Vespers Organ Accompaniment — “Our Lady of Guadalupe” (12 December)

Vatican II said: “Pastors must see to it that Vespers is celebrated in parishes on Sundays and the more solemn feasts” (SC §100).

Jeff Ostrowski · August 8, 2021

8 August 2021 • “More on the Moræ”

If you look at the 1961 Solesmes Gradual for the 11th Sunday after Pentecost, you will see that somebody in the 1960s was trying to figure out the “melismatic moræ vocis” (a.k.a. “Vaticana white notes”) which we have spoken of so frequently on this blog.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    New Bulletin Article • “21 September 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 21 September 2025) discusses some theological items—supported by certain verses in ancient Catholic hymns—and ends by explaining why certain folks become delirious with jealousy when they observe feats by Monsignor Ronald Knox.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Cheap! Cheap! Cheap!
    It’s always amusing to see old diocesan newspapers—in huge capital letters—advertising the Cheapest Catholic Paper in the United States. The correspondent who sent this to me added: “I can think of certain composers, published by large companies in our own day, who could truthfully brag about the most tawdry compositions in the world!” I wonder what she could have meant by such a cryptic comment…
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • Dom Murray Harmonies
    Along with so many others, I have deep respect for Dom Gregory Gregory Murray, who produced this clever harmonization (PDF) of “O SANCTISSIMA.” It’s always amazed me that Dom Gregory—a truly inspired composer—was so confused when it came to GREGORIAN CHANT. Throughout his life, he published contradictory statements, veering back-and-forth like a weather vane. Toward the end of his life, he declared: “I see clearly that the need for reform in liturgical music arose, not in the 18th and 19th centuries, but a thousand years earlier—in the 8th and 9th centuries, or even before that. The abuses began, not with Mozart and Haydn, but with those over-enthusiastic medieval musicians who developed the elaborate and flamboyant Gregorian Chant.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Karl Keating • “Canonization Questions”
    We were sent an internet statement (screenshot) that’s garnered significant attention, in which KARL KEATING (founder of Catholic Answers) speaks about whether canonizations are infallible. Mr. Keating seems unaware that canonizations are—in the final analysis—a theological opinion. They are not infallible, as explained in this 2014 article by a priest (with a doctorate in theology) who worked for multiple popes. Mr. Keating says: “I’m unaware of such claims arising from any quarter until several recent popes disliked by these Traditionalists were canonized, including John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul II. Usually Paul VI receives the most opprobrium.” Mr. Keating is incorrect; e.g. Father John Vianney, several centuries ago, taught clearly that canonizations are not infallible. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen would be another example, although clearly much more recent than Saint John Vianney.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Vatican II Changed Wedding Propers?
    It’s often claimed that the wedding propers were changed after Vatican II. As a matter of fact, that is a false claim. The EDITIO VATICANA propers (Introit: Deus Israel) remained the same after Vatican II. However, a new set of propers (Introit: Ecce Deus) was provided for optional use. The same holds true for the feast of Pope Saint Gregory the Great on 3 September: the 1943 propers (Introit: Si díligis me) were provided for optional use, but the traditional PROPRIA MISSAE (Introit: Sacerdótes Dei) were retained; they weren’t gotten rid of. The Ordo Cantus Missae (1970) makes this crystal clear, as does the Missal itself. There was an effort made in the post-conciliar years to eliminate so-called “Neo-Gregorian” chants, but (contrary to popular belief) most were retained: cf. the feast of Christ the King, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, and so forth.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Solemn “Salve Regina” (Chant)
    How many “S” words can you think of using alliteration? How about Schwann Solemn Salve Score? You can download the SOLEMN SALVE REGINA in Gregorian Chant. The notation follows the official rhythm (EDITIO VATICANA). Canon Jules Van Nuffel, choirmaster of the Cathedral of Saint Rumbold, composed this accompaniment for it (although some feel it isn’t his best work).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“I am of the opinion, to be sure, that the old rite should be granted much more generously to all those who desire it. It’s impossible to see what could be dangerous or unacceptable about that. A community is calling its very being into question when it suddenly declares that what until now was its holiest and highest possession is strictly forbidden and when it makes the longing for it seem downright indecent.”

— Cardinal Ratzinger, 1997

Recent Posts

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  • PDF Download • Dom Murray Harmonies

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