Views from the Choir Loft

Monsignor Robert Alex Skeris

Jeff Ostrowski · February 18, 2025

“Theology of Worship” • Msgr. Robert Skeris (1998)

Mother Angelica asks Monsignor Skeris why liturgical music must be sacred.

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Jeff Ostrowski · October 19, 2024

Is the ‘Orans’ Position Disobedient? • Re: the Congregation’s Posture during the Lord’s Prayer

Forcing the entire congregation to assume various postures has a rather sordid history.

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Jeff Ostrowski · October 16, 2024

Anybody Want This Prayer?

I posted this on social media. Tons of people requested a copy…

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Jeff Ostrowski · June 22, 2015

EWTN Classic • “Theology of Worship” with Fr. Robert Skeris (1998)

Mother Angelica sat down for a wonderful interview with a famous Theologian.

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Music List • “Trinity Sunday” (Year A)

Readers have expressed interest in seeing the ORDER OF MUSIC I created for Trinity Sunday—a.k.a. “Dominica I post Pentecosten”—which is 31 May 2026. Please feel free to download it as a PDF file if that appeals to you. The hymns chosen are fairly traditional, but truly excellent (the Communion hymn especially stands out). The ENTRANCE CHANT radiates pure bliss, overflowing with joy.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Entrance Chant” • Feast of Corpus Christi

While simultaneously accompanying myself on the pipe organ, I recently recorded the INTROIT (“Entrance Chant”) for the feast of Corpus Christi, Years ABC. A whole crop of musical scores—which you really should investigate—have found a home at the flourishing feasts website.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Music List • “Ascension of the Lord”

Readers have expressed interest in examining my “music list” for this coming Sunday.

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—Jeff Ostrowski

“Thee” + “Thou” + “Thine”

Few musicians realize that various English translations of Sacred Scripture were granted formal approval by the USCCB and the Vatican for liturgical use in the United States of America. But don’t take my word for it! Here are four documents proving this, which you can examine with your own eyes. Some believe the words “Thine” and “Thou” and “Thee” were forbidden after Vatican II—but that’s incorrect. For example, they’re found in the English translation of the ‘Our Father’ at Mass. Moreover, the Revised Standard Version (Catholic Edition) mentioned in those four documents employs “Thine” and “Thou” and “Thee.” It was published with a FOREWORD by Westminster’s Roman Catholic Archbishop (John Cardinal Heenan).

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Reminder” — Month of May (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. It couldn’t be easier to subscribe! Just scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Simplified Version • “Canon in D” (Pachelbel)

I published an article on 11 November 2023 called Wedding March For The Lazy Organist, which rather offhandedly made reference to a simplified version I created in 2007 for Pachelbel’s Canon. I often use it as a PROCESSIONAL for weddings and quinceañeras. Many organists say they “hate” Pachelbel’s Canon. But I love it. I think it’s bright and beautiful. I created that ‘simplified version’ for musicians coming to grips with playing the pipe organ. It can be downloaded as a free PDF if you visit Andrea Leal’s article dated 15 August 2022: Manuals Only: Organ Interludes Based on Plainsong. Specifically, it is page 84 in that collection—generously offered as a free PDF download. Johann Pachelbel (d. 1706) was a renowned German organist, violinist, teacher, and composer of over 500 works. A friend of Bach’s family, he taught Johann Christoph Bach (Sebastian Bach’s eldest brother) and lived in his house. Those who read Pachelbel’s biography will notice his connection to two German cities adopted as famous hymn tune names: EISENACH and ERFURT.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Thus, by the celebration of a single Mass (in which he offers Jesus Christ in sacrifice), a priest gives greater honor to the Lord than if all men by dying for God offered to him the sacrifice of their lives. By a single Mass, he gives greater honor to God than all the angels and saints—along with the Blessed Virgin Mary—have given or shall give to him; for their worship cannot be of infinite value, like that which the priest celebrating on the altar offers to God.”

— Saint Alphonsus Liguori