Concerning “Finger Flapping”
Sigh . . What to do when you’re the greatest of the great?
“Is it not true that prohibiting or suspecting the extraordinary form can only be inspired by the demon who desires our suffocation and spiritual death?” —The Vatican’s chief liturgist from 2014-2021; interview with Edw. Pentin (23-Sep-2019)
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).
“I have listened to the CD with great enjoyment. When listening to the Cistercian Nuns of Saint Mary’s Abbey, one realizes that they do not just sing at prayer or sing their prayers: their very singing is prayer, according to the axiom, Those who sing well, pray twice.” — Quote from a listener.
The crucial question was not asked: “Is the New Translation more accurate than the previous one?”
Why do 99% of Catholic Churches replace 100% of the Mass Propers 99% of the time?
Nuptial Mass Responsorial Psalms, Gospel Acclamations, Introits, Offertories, simple organ interludes, training videos, PDF scores, and more . . . all for free!
Can you find all the letters in this ancient symbol? Every Catholic knows how the Preface begins: “It is truly right and just, our duty and salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks . . .”
Did you know Padre Pio was drafted into the army? Did you know his father had to come to America to earn money so Padre Pio could be tutored before being accepted to monastic life?
“Music has the capability of evoking a place and a context.” — Dr. William Mahrt of Stanford
I have noticed that the “English method” of hymnody prints the musical notes on one page and the words on another. Several experts explain why in this post.
The priest who rejected my submission was very professional, polite, and encouraging.
“The Church asks those who will lead and shepherd her communities of Faith to give up the possibility of marital love as a prophetic witness that there is something even more important to our happiness than even beautiful intimacy possible in Christian marriage.” — Archbishop Naumann, 18 May 2013
The notion that the texts are there “to remind us that we should be singing something else” could not be further from the truth.
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