Views from the Choir Loft

Jeff Ostrowski • Article Archive

A theorist, organist, and conductor, Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004). He completed studies in Education and Musicology at the graduate level. Having worked as a church musician in Los Angeles for ten years, in 2024 he accepted a position as choirmaster for Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Michigan, where he resides with his wife and children. —Read full biography (with photographs).

Jeff Ostrowski · June 7, 2015

Musical Resources • 2nd Sunday after Pentecost (Extraordinary Form)

Some EF communities will celebrate the “External Solemnity” of Corpus Christi today.

Jeff Ostrowski · June 6, 2015

On This Day . . . In 1944

Soldiers attending Mass during World War II.

Jeff Ostrowski · June 5, 2015

Eerie Silence After Cardinal Sarah’s Testimony

Cardinal Sarah has committed an “unforgivable sin” in the opinion of progressive liturgists.

Jeff Ostrowski · June 4, 2015

Order of Worship • “Mass VIII” — High Resolution Images

It seems many wish to include Mass VIII in their program booklets.

Jeff Ostrowski · June 3, 2015

Finding A Liturgical Context

A very important article recently appeared in the Adoremus Bulletin.

Jeff Ostrowski · June 2, 2015

“Lauda Sion” • Rehearsal Video With Translation By Saint Robert Southwell, Jesuit Martyr

Many of the big publishing companies skip the Corpus Christi Sequence—they literally leave it blank.

Jeff Ostrowski · June 1, 2015

GIA Publications: “Painful Blessing Of A New Sensitivity”

I really don’t “get” the lyrics in Catholic hymnals by the major publishers.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 30, 2015

Musical Resources • Trinity Sunday (1962 Missal)

The last time we sing “Vidi Aquam” is Pentecost Sunday; now we go back to “Asperges Me.”

Jeff Ostrowski · May 28, 2015

Polyphony (3 voices) by Morales with Hymn (2 voices) for the Holy Trinity

Including rehearsal videos and special 13th-century hymn to the Most Holy Trinity.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 28, 2015

Coolest Liturgical Image Of All Time?

Fantastic photograph taken by our organist during Mass on Sunday…

Jeff Ostrowski · May 26, 2015

You Will Want To Print This Liturgical Article

“Once familiar features of the preconciliar rite are now as remote to us as some obscure aboriginal ritual.” —Msgr. McManus (1980)

Jeff Ostrowski · May 25, 2015

The Movie “I Confess” Shows A Liturgical Sensibility

Throughout the movie, Hitchcock seems to imitate the liturgy.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 25, 2015

Flashback • Pope Benedict XVI (Pentecost 2008)

For reasons I don’t fully understand, this chasuble was only worn once.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 22, 2015

Resources • Pentecost Sunday (1962 Missal)

On Pentecost Sunday, the FSSP Superior General will visit our parish.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 22, 2015

“Veni Creator Spiritus” • With An English Translation By Fr. Adrian Fortescue

A plenary indulgence can be gained by singing the “Veni Creator Spiritus” publicly on Pentecost.

“Offertory” at Catholic Funerals

I have argued that the OFFERTORY—at least in its ancient form—is more of a responsory than an antiphon. The 1962 Missal specifically calls it “Antiphona ad Offertorium.” From now on, I plan to use this beautiful setting (PDF) at funerals, since it cleverly inserts themes from the absolution of the body. Tons more research needs to be done on the OFFERTORY, which often is a ‘patchwork’ stitching together various beginnings and endings of biblical verses. For instance, if you examine the ancient verses for Dómine, vivífica me (30th Sunday in Ordinary Time) you’ll discover this being done in a most perplexing way. Rebecca Maloy published a very expensive book on the OFFERTORY, but it was a disappointment. Indeed, I can’t think of a single valuable insight contained in her book. What a missed opportunity!

—Jeff Ostrowski

“In Paradisum” • Gregorian Chant

As a RECESSIONAL on All Souls’ Day (November 2nd), we will sing In Paradísum Dedúcant Te Ángeli (PDF). When it comes to Gregorian Chant, this is one of the most popular “songs.” Frankly, all the prayers and chants from the traditional REQUIEM MASS (Missa exsequialis or Missa pro defunctis) are incredibly powerful and never should’ve been scuttled. Click here to hear “In Paradisum” in a recording I made this afternoon. Professor Louis Bouyer spoke of the way Bugnini “scuttled the office of the dead” in this fascinating excerpt from his memoirs. In his book, La riforma litugica (1983), Bugnini bragged—in quite a shameful way—about eliminating the ancient funeral texts, and even admitted those venerable texts were “beloved” (his word) by Catholics.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Music List” • All Souls (2 November)

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 2 November 2025, which is the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (“All Souls”). 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 top-notch feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin. In my humble opinion, it’s weird to have the feast of All Saints on a Sunday. No wonder the close associate of Pope Saint Paul VI said the revised KALENDAR was “the handiwork of a trio of maniacs.” However, I can’t deny that sometimes the sacred liturgy consists of elements that are seemingly contradictory: e.g. the Mode 7 “De Profúndis” ALLELUIA, or the Mode 8 “Dulce lignum” ALLELUIA on the various ancient feasts of the Holy Cross (3 May, 14 September, and so on).

—Jeff Ostrowski

Gospel Options for 2 November (“All Souls”)

We’ve been told some bishops are suppressing the TLM because of “unity.” But is unity truly found in the MISSALE RECENS? For instance, on All Souls (2 November), any of these Gospel readings may be chosen, for any reason (or for no reason at all). The same is true of the Propria Missæ and other readings—there are countless options in the ORDINARY FORM. In other words, no matter which OF parish you attend on 2 November, you’ll almost certainly hear different propers and readings, to say nothing of different ‘styles’ of music. Where is the “unity” in all this? Indeed, the Second Vatican Council solemnly declared: “Even in the liturgy, the Church has no wish to impose a rigid uniformity in matters which do not implicate the faith or the good of the whole community.”

—Corpus Christi Watershed

“Our Father” • Musical Setting?

Looking through a Roman Catholic Hymnal published in 1859 by Father Guido Maria Dreves (d. 1909), I stumbled upon this very beautiful tune (PDF file). I feel it would be absolutely perfect to set the “Our Father” in German to music. Thoughts?

—Jeff Ostrowski

New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”

My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.

—Jeff Ostrowski