• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Corpus Christi Watershed

A monthly subscription fee of $4.95 gives access to the entire website (beginning on 8 May 2026). Thank you for supporting our efforts!

  • Member Log In
  • Our Team
    • Our Editorial Policy
    • Who We Are
    • How To Contact Us
    • Jeff’s Mom Joins Fundraiser
  • Pew Resources
    • Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal
    • Jogues Illuminated Missal
    • Repository • “Spanish Music”
    • KYRIALE • Saint Antoine Daniel
    • Campion Missal, 3rd Edition
  • MUSICAL WEBSITES
    • Secrets of the Conscientious Choirmaster
    • Emporium Kevin Allen
    • Miscellaneous
      • Sainte Marie Bulletin Articles
      • “Let the Choir Have a Voice” (Essay)
      • Catechism of Gregorian Rhythm
      • Sacred Music Symposium 2023
      • The Eight Gregorian Modes
      • Gradual by Pothier’s Protégé
      • Father Enemond Massé Manuscripts
      • Seven (7) Considerations
    • René Goupil Gregorian Chant
    • Saint Jean de Lalande Library
    • Noël Chabanel Psalms
    • Nova Organi Harmonia (2,279 pages)
    • Roman Missal, 3rd Edition
    • Lalemant Polyphonic
    • Feasts Website
  • Donate
  • Cart
Views from the Choir Loft

Secular vs Sacred Music at Mass

Andrea Leal · January 29, 2020

In Which a Neo-Pagan Converts

I could feel that this Glory was immense, and mysterious, and real. But I could not quite grasp what that meant for me or what I should even do about it.

To access this post, you must purchase Monthly Subscription or Yearly Subscription.

Fr. David Friel · August 14, 2016

World Youth Day Krakow: Music Recordings

Seventeen (17) Tracks Now Available on iTunes

To access this post, you must purchase Monthly Subscription or Yearly Subscription.

Fr. David Friel · August 7, 2016

A Different Kind of World Youth Day

Sacred Music Helped to Transform Tauron Arena Kraków into a House of Prayer

To access this post, you must purchase Monthly Subscription or Yearly Subscription.

Fr. David Friel · December 13, 2015

Lighting Up Façades

Catholic churches ought not to be treated as houses of entertainment, but as houses of prayer.

To access this post, you must purchase Monthly Subscription or Yearly Subscription.

Guest Author · December 23, 2014

More On Secular Music At Mass … John Lennon?

It might just be my imagination, but isn’t the John Lennon’s “So this is Christmas” the same as that Alleluia?

To access this post, you must purchase Monthly Subscription or Yearly Subscription.

Fr. David Friel · October 12, 2014

The Society for Catholic Liturgy

Two Contributions from CCW Bloggers

To access this post, you must purchase Monthly Subscription or Yearly Subscription.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 8, 2014

Have We Lost The Church Music Battle?

The traditional music still triumphs in one important area: parishes run by “no-nonsense” priests.

To access this post, you must purchase Monthly Subscription or Yearly Subscription.

Corpus Christi Watershed · August 12, 2014

Aurelio Porfiri Letter In Current “Adoremus Bulletin”

“The problem is not pop music, but pop music in the liturgy.” — Aurelio Porfiri

To access this post, you must purchase Monthly Subscription or Yearly Subscription.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 9, 2014

Church music need not sound “Catholic” says drafter of USCCB guidelines

The author calls people who appreciate Gregorian chant “conservative” and those who don’t “liberal.” Are such labels really helpful?

To access this post, you must purchase Monthly Subscription or Yearly Subscription.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 13, 2014

Why Can’t We Use Secular Music During Mass?

Listen to these audio files. Is there any difference between “My Little Pony” and Dan Schutte’s 2012 “Glory To God” setting? Is that a cause for concern?

To access this post, you must purchase Monthly Subscription or Yearly Subscription.

Fr. David Friel · February 2, 2014

Youth in Favor of Sacred Music

Not a Negligible Niche

To access this post, you must purchase Monthly Subscription or Yearly Subscription.

Fr. David Friel · January 10, 2014

Is Chant Just for Old-Heads?

The NY Frassati Fellowship Chant Workshop

To access this post, you must purchase Monthly Subscription or Yearly Subscription.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 24, 2013

A Simple Plan To Improve Music At Mass

Are all musical styles acceptable for Mass? Movie directors realize such a notion is bogus.

To access this post, you must purchase Monthly Subscription or Yearly Subscription.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 21, 2013

Jimmy Stewart … and Church Music Regulations?

“Whenever school children must be placed in the choir loft at High Mass, the Boys may sing but the Girls must keep silent, unless the whole congregation takes part in the singing.” — Diocese of Pittsburgh Regulations (1931)

To access this post, you must purchase Monthly Subscription or Yearly Subscription.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 11, 2013

Addams Family Theme Song … At Mass?

Is it really true that any style of music can be lawfully used at Mass?

To access this post, you must purchase Monthly Subscription or Yearly Subscription.

Primary Sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Music List • “Ascension of the Lord”

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

    To access this post, you must purchase Monthly Subscription or Yearly Subscription.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “For Pentecost Sunday”

    There’s a triple ‘allelúja’ and I just love the chord at the end of the 2nd iteration.

    To access this post, you must purchase Monthly Subscription or Yearly Subscription.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Organ Accompaniment”

    The following declaration will probably smack of “blowing my own horn.”

    To access this post, you must purchase Monthly Subscription or Yearly Subscription.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “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

Random Quote

At High Mass the Celebrant is not allowed to proceed with the Offertory while the “Credo” is being sung. Likewise he should not proceed with the Consecration until the singing of the “Sanctus” is completed.

— Father Carlo Rossini (1939)

Recent Posts

  • “Comparison Chart” • 1940 Episcopal Hymnal
  • 21 Organ Accompaniments • Pentecost Sequence (“Veni Sancte Spíritus”) in Latin and English
  • “A Noble Sound” • Calling Men Back to Sacred Music
  • The Entrance Chant • “Further Discussion”
  • PDF Download • Accompaniment Edition (183 pages) — “Jesuit Hymnal” (Buffalo, New York)

Subscribe

Subscribe

* indicates required

Footer

CONTACT • Corpus Christi Watershed

1 (747) 218-8005
chabanel.psalms@gmail.com
Corpus Christi Watershed
8118 Etienne Dr
Corpus Christi, TX 78414

Copyright © 2026 Corpus Christi Watershed · Isaac Jogues on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Corpus Christi Watershed is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization recognized by the state of Texas on 19 October 2006. Our statement of purpose notes that we “employ the creative media in service of theology, the Church, and Christian culture for the enrichment and enjoyment of the public.”