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“What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too…” Pope Benedict XVI (7 July 2007)

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Views from the Choir Loft

Rev Fr Adrian Fortescue Liturgy

Jeff Ostrowski · April 6, 2022

“Victimæ Paschali Laudes” • Nineteen (19) Organ Accompaniments

Including a remarkable musical setting by Father Adrian Fortescue (d. 1923).

Jeff Ostrowski · March 31, 2022

Cardinal Schönborn Consecrates “IKEA Altar”

When Father Fortescue was diagnosed with cancer, he was seen to kiss devoutly the Altar on which he had so frequently celebrated Mass before going to the hospital to die.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 28, 2021

Father Adrian Fortescue on the “Agnus Dei”

Speaking about the AGNUS DEI, Father Fortescue wrote: “Agnus as a vocative is curious, evidently in order to reproduce the original text (John 1:29) exactly.” [Altera die vidit Joannes Jesum venientem ad se, et ait: Ecce agnus Dei, ecce qui tollit peccatum mundi.] Father Fortescue, as usual, is correct; but in some medieval manuscripts you […]

Jeff Ostrowski · November 24, 2018

The Only Hymn Father Fortescue Ever Wrote

…including a “Sneak Peek” at the Brébeuf Hymnal.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 31, 2017

“Veni Creator Spiritus” • with Fortescue’s English Translation

A plenary indulgence can be gained by singing the “Veni Creator Spiritus” publicly on New Year’s Day.

Jeff Ostrowski · June 9, 2015

Video • Disrespect For God’s House

Is Consecration by the words of Institution “de fide” ??

Jeff Ostrowski · August 21, 2014

How To Debunk Four Common Liturgical Myths

The priest returned to the Altar, removed the big red Missal, carried it to the pulpit, and proceeded to translate the entire Gospel into English.

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Quick Thoughts

19 May 2022 • “Trochee Trouble”

I’m still trying to decide how to visually present the “pure” Editio Vaticana scores, using what is (technically) the official rhythm of the Church. You can download my latest attempt, for this coming Sunday. Notice the “trochee trouble” as well as the old issue of neumes before the quilisma.

—Jeff Ostrowski
16 May 2022 • Harmonized Chant?

This year’s upcoming Sacred Music Symposium will demonstrate several ways to sing the CREDO at Mass. This is because—for many parishes—to sing a full-length polyphonic CREDO by Victoria or Palestrina is out of the question. Therefore, we show options that are halfway between plainsong and polyphony. You can hear my choir rehearsing a section that sounds like harmonized plainsong.

—Jeff Ostrowski
14 May 2022 • “Pure” Vatican Edition

As readers know, my choir has been singing from the “pure” Editio Vaticana. That is to say, the official rhythm which—technically—is the only rhythm allowed by the Church. I haven’t figured out how I want the scores to look, so in the meantime we’ve been using temporary scores that look like this. Stay tuned!

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

Why do we never sing “De Spiritu Sancto” (St. Athenogenes) in our churches? There are a dozen translations in English verse. Where could anyone find a better evening hymn than this, coming right down from the catacombs? Our hymnbooks know nothing of such a treasure as this, and give us pages of poor sentiment in doggerel lines by some tenth-rate modern versifier.

— Rev’d Adrian Fortescue (d. 1923)

Recent Posts

  • PDF Download • “A Canon Choirs Love!”
  • On Mistakes (Part I of II)
  • 19 May 2022 • “Trochee Trouble”
  • “Gregorian Chant Not In Danger Pope Tells French”
  • PDF Download • “O Salutaris” (Modern Setting)

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Corpus Christi Watershed is a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to exploring and embodying as our calling the relationship of religion, culture, and the arts. This non-profit organization employs the creative media in service of theology, the Church, and Christian culture for the enrichment and enjoyment of the public.