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

Corpus Christi Watershed

Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

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

Traditional Catholic Hymnals

Corpus Christi Watershed · August 31, 2022

“This Hymnal Makes My Heart Sing!” —Lauren E.

“It was compiled by priests and musicians who are authentically Catholic…” — Lauren Elizabeth

Jeff Ostrowski · August 24, 2021

Church Musicians: The Revolution Starts Today!

Do what’s right, say your prayers, offer each day to Jesus Christ, and hold your head high!

Jeff Ostrowski · April 6, 2021

Live Recording • “Jesus My Lord, My God, My All”

Vernacular hymns at Communion during EF High Mass—your thoughts?

William J. Fritz · December 17, 2020

(Installment #15) “Catholic Hymnals” • William Fritz

To (re)Harmonize a Hymn—“Anima Christi” by Dr. Theodore Marier

Follow the Discussion on Facebook

Andrea Leal · November 18, 2020

(Installment #14) “Catholic Hymnals” • Andrea Leal

I stand behind it to the extent that I have even volunteered to record several practice recordings, for which I have never received—nor will I ever receive—a single cent.

Follow the Discussion on Facebook

Dr. Lucas Tappan · November 10, 2020

(Installment #13) “Catholic Hymnals” • Lucas Tappan

We can sometimes be so caught up in advancing Gregorian chant that we fail to remember that every single age in the history of the Catholic Church has seen forms of popular religious music…

Veronica Moreno · November 7, 2020

(Installment #12) “Catholic Hymnals” • Veronica Moreno

A Catholic homeschooler shares her preparations for hymn study for the upcoming Advent season. She presents pieces from deep in the Brébeuf Hymnal, one from fond memories at her Catholic school, and closes with bells intoning the “Angelus”.

Follow the Discussion on Facebook

Dr. Alfred Calabrese · November 3, 2020

(Installment #11) “Catholic Hymnals” • Alfred Calabrese

Book Review: “The First Christian Hymnal”

Follow the Discussion on Facebook

Christopher Mueller · October 6, 2020

(Installment #10) “Catholic Hymnals” • Chris Mueller

Father Rutler makes five crucial points.

Follow the Discussion on Facebook

Corrinne May · September 16, 2020

(Installment #9) “Catholic Hymnals” • Corrinne May

I searched through the pages and could not find any reference to who put this hymn compilation together—although it seems to have been created about 30 years ago…

Follow the Discussion on Facebook

Cynthia Ostrowski · September 15, 2020

(Installment #8) “Catholic Hymnals” • Cynthia Ostrowski

According to Bishop Sheen: “Christianity, unlike any other religion in the world, begins with catastrophe and defeat.”

Follow the Discussion on Facebook

Richard J. Clark · September 8, 2020

(Installment #7) “Catholic Hymnals” • Richard J. Clark

“Hymns, Psalms, and Spiritual Canticles”—the most influential post-conciliar hymnal—was never distributed by any large publisher!

Follow the Discussion on Facebook

Jeff Ostrowski · September 4, 2020

(Installment #6) “Catholic Hymnals” • Jeff Ostrowski

How to avoid that sickening feeling when you realize nobody—and I mean nobody—in the congregation knows the hymn you picked!

Follow the Discussion on Facebook

Dr. Gregory Hamilton · September 3, 2020

(Installment #5) “Catholic Hymnals” • Dr. Gregory Hamilton

The word “hymn” is one of the earliest music words in all languages…

Follow the Discussion on Facebook

Dr. Charles Weaver · September 2, 2020

(Installment #4) “Catholic Hymnals” • Charles Weaver

On how tunes change over time, with a reflection on the sacred duty of hymn editors.

Follow the Discussion on Facebook

  • Page 1
  • Page 2
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Music List • (Palm Sunday, 2026)
    Readers have expressed interest in seeing the ORDER OF MUSIC I created for Palm Sunday—a.k.a. “Dominica in palmis de Passione Domini”—which is 29 March 2026. Please feel free to download it as a PDF file if such a thing interests you. The OFFERTORY (Impropérium exspectávit cor meum) is quite moving. Even though the COMMUNION ANTIPHON is relatively simple, the Fauxbourdon makes it sound outstanding.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Easter • Would You Sing This Hymn?
    He who examines Laudes Dei: a hymnal for Catholic congregations (St. Louis, 1894) will discover this pairing of a hymn for Easter. For the record, this isn’t the only Catholic hymn book to marry that text and melody; e.g. Saint Mark’s Hymnal for Use in the Roman Catholic Church in the United States (Peoria, 1910) does the same thing. Sometimes an unexpected pairing—chosen with sensitivity—can be superb, forcing singers to experience the text in a ‘fresh’ and wonderful way. On the other hand, we sometimes encounter something I’ve called “PERNICIOUS HYMN PAIRINGS.” If you find the subject in intriguing, feel free to peruse an article I published in May of 2023. As always, my email inbox is open if you have a bone to pick with my take.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Pipe Organ “Answers” in Plainsong?
    In 2003, I copied a book by Félix Bélédin (d. 1895), who was titular organist—from 1841 to 1874—at the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Lyon (France). In 2008, we scanned and uploaded the book to the Lalande Online Library. Nobody knows for sure when the book was published; some believe it first appeared in the 1840s. In any event, one who examines this excerpt, showing GLORIA IX might wonder why it says the organ answers in plainsong. However, the front of the book explains, telling the organist explicitly when to “respond in plainchant.” This is something called organ alternatim. Believe it or not, the pipe organ would take turns with the choir, playing certain texts instrumentally instead of having them sung. I’m not very well-versed in this—pardon the pun—but if memory serves, ORGAN ALTERNATIM was frowned upon by the time of Pope Saint Pius X. Nevertheless, French organists kept doing it, even after it was explicitly condemned as an abuse.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “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
    PDF Download • “Ubi Caritas” (SATB)
    I remember singing “Ubi Cáritas” by Maurice Duruflé at the conservatory. I was deeply moved by it. However, some feel Duruflé’s version isn’t suitable for small choirs since it’s written for 6 voices and the bass tessitura is quite low. That’s why I was absolutely thrilled to discover this “Ubi cáritas” (SATB) for smaller choirs by Énemond Moreau, who studied with OSCAR DEPUYDT (d. 1925), an orphan who became a towering figure of Catholic music. Depuydt’s students include: Flor Peeters (d. 1986); Monsignor Jules Van Nuffel (d. 1953); Arthur Meulemans (d. 1966); Monsignor Jules Vyverman (d. 1989); and Gustaaf Nees (d. 1965). Rehearsal videos for each individual voice await you at #19705. When I came across the astonishing English translation for “Ubi Cáritas” by Monsignor Ronald Knox—matching the Latin’s meter—I decided to add those lyrics as an option (for churches which have banned Latin). My wife and I made this recording to give you some idea how it sounds.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Holy, Holy, Holy”
    For vigil Masses on Saturday (a.k.a. “anticipated” Masses) we use this simpler setting of the “Holy, Holy, Holy” by Monsignor Jules Vyverman (d. 1989), a Belgian priest, organist, composer, and music educator who ultimately succeeded another ‘Jules’ (CANON JULES VAN NUFFEL) as director of the Lemmensinstituut in Belgium. Although I could be wrong, my understanding is that the LEMMENSINSTITUUT eventually merged with “Catholic University of Leuven” (originally founded in 1425). That’s the university Fulton J. Sheen attended.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

The frequent elisions, as in the verse “Hoc óstium arcae in látere est Genti ad salútem pósitum” (feast of the Sacred Heart) make for an unpronounceable and unsingable hymn, and slightly less so does the hymn for Christ the King.

— Archbishop Hannibal Bugnini

Recent Posts

  • Music List • (Palm Sunday, 2026)
  • Easter • Would You Sing This Hymn?
  • “Priest Saying Mass” • Medieval Illumination
  • From Sentiment to Sacrament: Reclaiming Sacred Music for the Wedding Mass
  • Pipe Organ “Answers” in Plainsong?

Subscribe

Subscribe

* indicates required

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

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.