ROFESSOR LÁSZLÓ DOBSZAY famously called permission to replace the Mass Propers “the anthrax in the envelope.” The technical words in the 1969 G.I.R.M. are alius cantus aptus or alius cantus congruus which is translated as “some other suitable liturgical chant.”
Since that time, as we’ve noted here many times, 99% of Catholic parishes replace 100% of the Propers 100% of the time. Since the 1970s, the piccoluomini have claimed that “cantus” means “that which is sung” and therefore, any style of music — rock, country, polka, jazz, broadway, etc. — is appropriate for Mass. Their assertion is not true, but at this point, disagreeing with the “accepted interpretation” is likely to start a shouting match (or worse!). Archbishop Alexander Sample has recently challenged this interpretation, by the way.
GETTING BACK TO THE POINT AT HAND, Professor László Dobszay was a very educated man, but he wasn’t infallible. For instance, in his 2007 article (as well as several other articles), he seems not to be aware of the origin and purpose of the Spoken Propers (a.k.a. Missal Propers).
I believe I may have found another mistake he made. In several articles, he claimed that 1969 General Instruction of the Roman Missal was the first document to allow the “anthrax.” However, according to Corey Zelinski, the 1965 Missal was the first document allowing substitutions for the Mass Propers in a sung Mass:
* * 1965 Missale Romanum in English [pdf]
If anyone wishes to “chime in” in the combox with more information, please consider this an invitation to do so!
