When People Lie About Hymns Unwittingly
As a young man, I came into contact with an organist who claimed there was no such thing as a “Recessional,” insisting that I was wrong and foolish to use that term.
Jesus said to them: “I have come into this world so that a sentence may fall upon it, that those who are blind should see, and those who see should become blind. If you were blind, you would not be guilty. It is because you protest, ‘We can see clearly,’ that you cannot be rid of your guilt.”
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).
As a young man, I came into contact with an organist who claimed there was no such thing as a “Recessional,” insisting that I was wrong and foolish to use that term.
“How surprised people would be next Sunday to see the direction being carried out!” —1943 article
I would not argue with someone who called this document curious, or even bizarre; it was only in effect for a few years • Also: “Should the Sanctus and Benedictus be split in the Traditional Latin Mass?” • This “Extraordinary Form” question is treated meticulously with full documentation going back 150 years+
I have no idea whether this will be of use to anyone, but here it is…
Most people know this one as “Creator of the stars of night.”
Like any other human, I go through difficult times—this conference was a source of strength.
We posted rehearsal videos in English the other day—now they’re given in Latin!
It’s okay to start thinking about Advent, which will be here before we know it.
One of the most popular melodies in Catholic hymnals of yesteryear.
“In general, it is better to do something well, however modest, than to attempt something on a grander scale if proper means are lacking.” —Pope Pius XII
The text of this hymn is the Church’s oldest Latin Eucharistic hymn, translated by Fr. Adrian Fortescue.
This recording was completed last night (23 July 2019).
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