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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.”

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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 9, 2014

The Famous “Agatha Christie” Indult

“If some senseless decree were to order the total or partial destruction of basilicas or cathedrals, then
obviously it would be the educated — whatever their personal beliefs — who would rise up in horror to oppose such a possibility.”

Jeff Ostrowski · June 9, 2014

Is There Truly “Versus Populum” Celebration? Vatican Says No.

Can AD ORIENTEM be excluded from the Novus Ordo? Vatican says: “Negatively, and in accordance with the following explanation.”

Jeff Ostrowski · June 5, 2014

Video • Pius XII Speaking Fantastic English To Troops Who Liberated Rome!

His Holiness mentions St. Thomas More, St. John Fisher, and others.

Jeff Ostrowski · June 4, 2014

Can You Name These Five Hymns?

Speak now, or forever hold your peace!

Jeff Ostrowski · June 2, 2014

Problematic Sequence Translations In Our Current Lectionary

Are you bothered by the VANDALISM done to Lectionary Sequence translations?

Jeff Ostrowski · May 25, 2014

The Mystery of Missal vs. Gradual has been solved!

Are there concrete reasons to prefer the ancient texts from the Roman Gradual? Short answer: Yes!

Jeff Ostrowski · May 25, 2014

Shall The Nuns Save Us? I Think So.

“Let us continue to do the best things in the worst times.”

Jeff Ostrowski · May 22, 2014

Maurice Lavanoux • “Liturgical Arts”

Anyone have copies of this old magazine?

Jeff Ostrowski · May 20, 2014

Pope St. John Paul II Celebrates Mass “Ad Orientem”

John Paul II leads the congregation facing the traditional way during his June 1999 visit to Poland.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 19, 2014

PDF Download: Extremely Rare Book Of Propers (1962)

A book which Bugnini called the “precursor” to the Simple Gradual is now online!

Jeff Ostrowski · May 15, 2014

Would you know my name if I saw you in heaven?

Musicians tend to fight with one another over the DUMBEST things.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 15, 2014

How To Sing The Gregorian Alleluia

The Alleluia can be confusing, especially during Eastertide.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 14, 2014

Truly Marvelous Image of Saint Isaac Jogues

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

Jeff Ostrowski · May 11, 2014

How I Learned What Liturgy Really Is

Congregations in South Texas normally applaud for the musicians during Mass.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 9, 2014

An Unexplained Problem

I’m unaware of ANY other liturgical occurrence like this one.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Psalm Tone Challenge!
    Many readers know that Tone 1a3 is the most difficult PSALM TONE in the 1962 books (and isn’t called for very often). But what about very short verses—which is the absolute most concise you know? The shortest PSALM TONE segment I know would be the fourth verse (PDF) from Psalm 44, used during Matins at Christmas. It’s literally one word long. If you know a more minuscule one, please email me!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF • “O Come All Ye Faithful” (Simplified)
    I admire the harmonization of “Adeste Fideles” by David Willcocks (d. 2015), who served as director of the Royal College of Music (London, England). In 2025, I was challenged to create a simplified arrangement for organists incapable of playing the authentic version at tempo. The result was this simplified keyboard arrangement (PDF download) based on the David Willcocks version of “O Come All Ye Faithful.” Feel free to play through it and let me know what you think.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF • “Music List” (Sunday, 28 December)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, & Joseph (28 Dec. 2025). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The FAUXBOURDON verses for the Communion Antiphon are particularly gorgeous. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are available at the feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    PDF Download • “In Paradisum” in English
    We always sing the IN PARADISUM in Latin, as printed on this PDF score. I have an appallingly bad memory (meaning I’d be a horrible witness in court). In any event, it’s been brought to my attention that 15 years ago I created this organ accompaniment for the famous and beautiful ‘IN PARADISUM’ Gregorian chant sung in English according to ‘MR3’ (Roman Missal, Third Edition). If anyone desires such a thing, feel free to download and print. Looking back, I wish I’d brought the TENOR and BASS voices into a unison (on B-Natural) for the word “welcome” on the second line.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    What does this mean? “Pre-Urbanite”
    Something informed critics have frequently praised vis-à-vis the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal is its careful treatment of the ancient hymns vs. the “Urbanite” hymns. This topic I had believed to be fairly well understood—but I was wrong. The reason I thought people knew about it is simple; in the EDITIO VATICANA 1908 Graduale Romanum (as well as the 1913 Liber Antiphonarius) both versions are provided, right next to each other. You can see what I mean by examining this PDF file from the Roman Gradual of 1908. Most people still don’t understand that the Urbanite versions were never adopted by any priests or monks who sang the Divine Office each day. Switching would have required a massive amount of effort and money, because all the books would need to be changed.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Santo Santo Santo”
    Those searching for a dignified, brief, simple, bright setting of SANCTUS in Spanish (“Santo Santo Santo”) are invited to download this Setting in honor of Saint John Brébeuf (organist & vocalist). I wonder if there would be any interest in me recording a rehearsal video for this piece.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“In everything of any importance at all, Sarum (and all other mediæval rites) was simply Roman, the rite which we still use.”

— Fr. Adrian Fortescue (1912)

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