Views from the Choir Loft

St Isaac Jogues

Jeff Ostrowski · April 11, 2020

Without Sacraments • How Saint Isaac Jogues Survived

“His wounds were gangrened, his bare feet left tracks of blood on snow and ice, the deerskin he wore was alive with vermin.”

Fr. David Friel · October 19, 2014

Revitalizing Our Missionary Spirit

Celebrating Saint Isaac Jogues & Companions

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”.

Corpus Christi Watershed · May 19, 2014

Mass In Honor Of Saint Isaac Jogues

Using the New Translation of the Roman Missal.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 14, 2014

Truly Marvelous Image of Saint Isaac Jogues

This lovely image is courtesy of D.F. — taken at Georgetown University.

PDF Download • “Funeral Procession”

From a mediæval Book of Hours, I was sent this glorious depiction of a Roman Catholic funeral procession by Simon Bening (d. 1561). The image resolution is extremely high. I’m not sure I know of a more beautiful illustration of a mediæval church. And I love how the servers are wearing red and pink cassocks!

—Jeff Ostrowski

Simplified Accomp. • Schubert’s “Ave Maria.”

Sometimes the organist must simultaneously serve as the CANTOR. (Those who work in the field of church music know exactly what I’m talking about.) One of our contributors composed this simplified keyboard accompaniment for Franz Schubert’s “Ave Maria,” a piece which is frequently requested for Catholic funerals and weddings. In terms of the discussion about whether that piece is too theatrical (‘operatic’) for use in Church, I will leave that discussion to others. All I know is, many church musicians out there will appreciate this simplified version.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Reminder” — Month of April (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

PDF Download • “Anima Christi”

I received a request for an organ accompaniment I created way back in 2007 for the “Anima Christi” Gregorian Chant. You can download this PDF file which has the score in plainsong followed by a keyboard accompaniment. Many melodies have been paired with “Anima Christi” over the centuries, but this is—perhaps—the most common one.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF • “Liturgical Law” (467 Pages)

On Good Friday during the middle ages, the pope privately recited THE ENTIRE PSALTER. If you don’t believe me, see for yourself by reading this passage by Dom Charles Augustine Bachofen (d. 1943). His famous book—called “Liturgical Law: A Handbook Of The Roman Liturgy”—was published by the Benjamin Herder Book Company, which was the American arm (operating out of St. Louis, Missouri) of one of the world’s most significant Catholic publishers. Dom Charles Augustine Bachofen was born in Switzerland but spent his career between the Benedictine monasteries at Conception (Missouri) and Mount Angel (Oregon). His 1931 masterpiece, Liturgical Law can be downloaded as a PDF file … 467 pages!

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Gregorian Chant Quiz” • 24 March 2026

How well do you know your Gregorian hymns? Do you recognize the tune inserted into the bass line on this score? For many years, we sang the entire Mass in Gregorian chant—and I mean everything. As a result, it would be difficult to find a Gregorian hymn I don’t recognize instantly. Only decades later did I realize (with sadness) that this skill cannot be ‘monetized’… This particular melody is used for a very famous Gregorian hymn, printed in the LIBER USUALIS. Do you recognize it? Send me an email with the correct words, and I promise to tell everybody I meet about your prowess!

—Jeff Ostrowski