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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

Urbanite Hymn Reform

Jeff Ostrowski · September 21, 2025

PDF Download • “Side-By-Side Comparison”

Re: the special hymn for the upcoming feast (9 November).

Jeff Ostrowski · January 25, 2025

“What Are the Urbanite Hymns?” (4-Page PDF)

“No one who knows anything about the subject now doubts that that revision of Urban VIII was a ghastly mistake, for which there is not one single word of any kind to be said.” —Father Adrian Fortescue

Jeff Ostrowski · July 4, 2024

PDF Download • “Entrance Chant” — 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

I’d love to hear you sing this!

Jeff Ostrowski · December 5, 2022

“Urbanite Hymns” • What are those?

Dr. Aaron James, who earned a double doctorate, has stated publicly that the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal does a wonderful job explaining—by means of gorgeous color plates—the difference between the “Pre-Urbanite” hymns and those which were modified by Pope Urban VIII (d. 1644). Dr. James calls the Brébeuf treatment of the urbanite reform “a […]

Jeff Ostrowski · November 9, 2022

“Vatican Commission on Gregorian Chant” • Biographies for Its Twenty Members

Including two (2) documents translated into English for the first time!

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 · November 3, 2021

PDF Download • “Four Easy Pieces” (Smaller Choirs)

Including more information about the “Pope Pius XII Hymnal.”

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Dr. Charles Weaver · October 24, 2021

PDF Download • Commemorating Dr. Fayrfax

A massively underrated composer died 500 years ago today.

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Jeff Ostrowski · October 1, 2021

Brave Schola Director Posts Live Recording

This is a beautiful melody worth learning, worth singing, and worthy of the temple.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 20, 2021

“Traditionis Custodes” • Five (5) Brief Reflections

“Deliver us, Lord, from every evil: past, present, and to come.”

Jeff Ostrowski · May 25, 2021

“Veni Creator Spiritus” + Organ Accompaniment • with English Translation by Fr. Fortescue

Did you realize there are two versions of this famous hymn?

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Jeff Ostrowski · July 5, 2020

Two remarkable (radical) liturgical realities … which few realize!

It’s interesting to compare the literal translations in the Brébeuf Hymnal to those done by Solesmes Abbey during the 1950s.

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Jeff Ostrowski · February 23, 2015

Pope Francis Condemned The Reform Of The Reform? Not Quite…

“Devout people are the ones who will be most disturbed by the new liturgy.” —Pope Paul VI (11/26/1969)

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    PDF Download • Communion for Sunday
    The COMMUNION ANTIPHON with fauxbourdon psalm verses for this coming Sunday (3 May 2026) is elegant and poignant. It’s such a shame it only comes every three years. This piece—along with all the musical scores for this coming Sunday, which is the 5th Sunday of Easter (Year A)—can be downloaded free of charge from the flourishing feasts website. By the way, how is it already 2026?
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Season’s End Repertoire
    Looking at the REPERTOIRE SHEET until the end of the choral season, I see that I’ve fallen behind schedule. (The last three months have been extraordinarily busy.) As you know, I have been providing organ harmonies for all the ENTRANCE CHANTS—as well as rehearsal videos—and you can see I’m behind where I planned to be. Now I must make up lost ground. However, the choir picks up the ENTRANCE CHANT with ease, so I’m sure it will all work out. My ‘unofficial’ harmonizations are being posted each week at the flourishing feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Funeral Procession”
    From a mediæval Book of Hours, I was sent this glorious depiction of a Roman Catholic funeral procession by Simon Bening (d. 1561). The image resolution is extremely high. I’m not sure I know of a more beautiful illustration of a mediæval church. And I love how the servers are wearing red and pink cassocks!
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    PDF Download • “Anima Christi”
    I received a request for an organ accompaniment I created way back in 2007 for the “Anima Christi” Gregorian Chant. You can download this PDF file which has the score in plainsong followed by a keyboard accompaniment. Many melodies have been paired with “Anima Christi” over the centuries, but this is—perhaps—the most common one.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF • “Liturgical Law” (467 Pages)
    On Good Friday during the middle ages, the pope privately recited THE ENTIRE PSALTER. If you don’t believe me, see for yourself by reading this passage by Dom Charles Augustine Bachofen (d. 1943). His famous book—called “Liturgical Law: A Handbook Of The Roman Liturgy”—was published by the Benjamin Herder Book Company, which was the American arm (operating out of St. Louis, Missouri) of one of the world’s most significant Catholic publishers. Dom Charles Augustine Bachofen was born in Switzerland but spent his career between the Benedictine monasteries at Conception (Missouri) and Mount Angel (Oregon). His 1931 masterpiece, Liturgical Law can be downloaded as a PDF file … 467 pages!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “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

Random Quote

When we say: “The people like this” we regard them as unable to develop, as animals rather than human beings, and we simply neglect our duties in helping them towards a true human existence — indeed, in this case, to truly Christian existence.

— Professor László Dobszay (2003)

Recent Posts

  • PDF Download • Communion for Sunday
  • “Translating the Bible” • Msgr. Ronald Knox (1953)
  • Season’s End Repertoire
  • PDF Download • “Funeral Procession”
  • Re: The “Correct” Way To Sing Gregorian Chant

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