Views from the Choir Loft

Pope Saint John Paul II

Fr. David Friel · October 23, 2018

Solemn High Mass with Faure’s Requiem on All Souls’ Day

Missa Solemnis to be offered at St. John Paul II Shrine in Washington, DC

Fr. David Friel · July 9, 2017

JPII: “The Roman Church Has Special Obligations to Latin”

This vision of the Church’s relationship with Latin is quite different from the perspective held by many post-conciliar liturgists.

Fr. David Friel · November 3, 2015

Trination on All Souls: My Thoughts

Having invited reader input the other day, I offer now my own opinion.

Richard J. Clark · October 22, 2014

Feast of Saint John Paul II

See today’s Collect: Saint John Paul II leads us to Christ.

Richard J. Clark · September 12, 2014

Beauty and Liturgy | Pope Saint John Paul II’s Letter to Artists

Saint John Paul calls artists to a great responsibility–but also gives a warning.

Richard J. Clark · August 1, 2014

The Necessity of Interior Prayer for Directors, Composers, and Publishers

Are we bringing forth treasures? Are we cultivating these treasures or do we leave them in the back of the storeroom?

Richard J. Clark · June 13, 2014

Pope Saint John Paul II on Gregorian Chant

As Gregorian Chant was arguably “dead” during much of his pontificate, Pope Saint John Paul II’s strong words on Gregorian Chant are therefore quite notable.

Richard J. Clark · May 23, 2014

Mass in Honor of Pope Saint John Paul II on “Sounds from the Spires” and the Youth-Based Chant Movement

On air discussion with Dr. Jennifer Pascual, Director of Music at St. Patrick’s Cathedral – the youth-propelled chant movement, the new economic model of publishing, and how these are reshaping the liturgical landscape…and broadcast of the “Mass in Honor of Pope Saint John Paul II”.

Richard J. Clark · April 27, 2014

Mass in Honor of Pope Saint John Paul II

FREE DOWNLOAD of the complete score AND recordings.

Fr. David Friel · April 27, 2014

The Mercy of God Makes Saints

Unmasking the Media’s Mythical Divide Between Popes

Richard J. Clark · April 25, 2014

PREVIEW – Mass in Honor of Pope Saint John Paul II

Preview of the “Mass in Honor of Pope Saint John Paul II” Listen to the Gloria!

PDF • Our Lady of Guadalupe (12 Dec.)

The Responsorial Psalm may be downloaded as a PDF file (organist & vocalist) for 12 December, which is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. When it comes to the formulary for this Mass, it’s astounding how infrequently it’s included in official books. Prior to Vatican II, one had to search through “supplemental material” printed in the back of hand-missals and graduals. But since 1970, the feast is virtually nonexistent. According to the UNIVERSAL KALENDAR, 12 December is the “Feast of Saint Jane Frances De Chantal, Religious” (Die 12 decembris: S. Ioannæ Franciscæ de Chantal, religiosæ). Why should that feast overpower Our Lady of Guadalupe? In the United States, OLG is celebrated—and I’d assume in Mexico, Central America, South America, and Canada—but, as I said, the Propria Missae are virtually impossible to locate. I possess only three books which mention this feast.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Simplified Accompaniment (Advent Hymn)

Many organists are forced to simultaneously serve as both CANTOR and ACCOMPANIST. In spite of what some claim, this can be difficult. I invite you to download this simplified organ accompaniment (PDF) which in the Father Brébeuf Hymnal is hymn #661: “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” (for ADVENT). I’m toying with the idea of creating a whole bunch of these, to help amateur organists. The last one I uploaded was downloaded more than 2,900 times in a matter of hours—so there appears to be interest.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF • “Music List” (Immaculate Concep.)

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 8 December 2025, the feast of OUR LADY’S IMMACULATE CONCEPTION. If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The fauxbourdon setting of the COMMUNION is exquisite. In Latin, the title of this feast is: In Conceptione Immaculata Beatae Mariae Virginis. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are available at the feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Pope Leo XIV on Sacred Music

On 5 December 2025, Pope Leo XIV made this declaration with regard to liturgical music.

—Corpus Christi Watershed

“Translations Approved for Liturgical Use”

According to the newsletter for USSCB’s Committee on Divine Worship dated September 1996, there are three (3) translations of the Bible which can be used in the sacred liturgy in the United States. You can read this information with your own eyes. It seems the USCCB and also Rome fully approved the so-called NRSV (“New Revised Standard Version”) on 13 November 1991 and 6 April 1992 but this permission was then withdrawn in 1994.

—Corpus Christi Watershed

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