Views from the Choir Loft

Traditional Catholic Artwork

Gwyneth Holston · March 11, 2014

Painting of St. Catherine of Siena Part II

See the “reveal” of the finished painting.

Gwyneth Holston · March 3, 2014

Painting St. Catherine of Siena Part I

See what goes into designing a painting.

Gwyneth Holston · February 24, 2014

A Visual Chronicle of Parish Life: Day 1

A week of inspiring images to brighten your day.
Day 1: “The Baptism” by Joaquin Sorolla

Fr. David Friel · February 16, 2014

Movie Review: The Monuments Men

Not Great Art, Itself, But Nevertheless Thought-Provoking

Fr. David Friel · January 24, 2014

The Art of the Beautiful Lecture Series

Professor Anthony Esolen Presents: “Love & Artistic Genesis”

Gwyneth Holston · November 25, 2013

Hans Memling’s Masterpiece: The Last Judgment

Christmas is coming! For Catholics, that means its time to think about the Apocalypse.

Corpus Christi Watershed · November 11, 2013

Two Upcoming Lectures on Sacred Art

The Beauty of the Liturgical Year: Advent

“The Worm That Dieth Not”

My pastor asked me to write a column for our parish bulletin with reflections on the sacred liturgy and church music. In my most recent article, I discuss “The Worm That Dieth Not.” At this website, you can access it conveniently; simply scroll down to the one dated 31 August 2025.

—Jeff Ostrowski

A Nice Hymn In Spanish

In my humble opinion, this is a really beautiful hymn in Spanish. If I practice diligently, I’ll be able to pronounce all the words properly. If you’re someone who’s interested in obtaining a melody only version (suitable for your congregational ORDER OF WORSHIP) you can steal that from this.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Music List” • 21st in Ordinary Time (Year C)

Our choir returns on Sunday, 24 August 2025. Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for it, which is the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the spectacular feasts website. When it comes to the feast of the Assumption (15 August 2025), I have uploaded the music list for that Mass—but not the “bi-lingual” Mass in the evening (Spanish, Latin, and English) which has completely different music.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Solemn “Salve Regina” (Chant)

How many “S” words can you think of using alliteration? How about Schwann Solemn Salve Score? You can download the SOLEMN SALVE REGINA in Gregorian Chant. The notation follows the official rhythm (EDITIO VATICANA). Canon Jules Van Nuffel, choirmaster of the Cathedral of Saint Rumbold, composed this accompaniment for it (although some feel it isn’t his best work).

—Corpus Christi Watershed

Pope Pius XII Hymnal?

Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.

—Corpus Christi Watershed

“Hybrid” Chant Notation?

Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.

—Corpus Christi Watershed