Views from the Choir Loft

An Unexplained Problem

Jeff Ostrowski · May 9, 2014

URING THE EASTER VIGIL, after the 7th Reading (when there are no Baptisms) two possible options are given. There is nothing to indicate that one option should be preferred.

Notice that one option is identical to the Responsorial Psalm sung after the 5th Reading:

R. (3) You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.
Is. 12:2-3, 4, 5-6 — God indeed is my savior …

R. (12a) Create a clean heart in me, O God.
Ps. 51:12-13, 14-15, 18-19 — A clean heart create for me, O God …

Music directors often choose the 2nd option to avoid repeating the same Responsorial Psalm that has already been sung after the 5th Reading.

Can anyone explain why the same Responsorial Psalm was assigned after the 5th and 7th readings? I’m not sure there’s another Mass like this. I know that the Offertory & Communion for the 1st Sunday of Lent are practically identical, but the musical setting is completely different.

Any thoughts? Let me know in the combox.

THE ANSWER COMES FROM STEVEN VAN ROODE:

The remarkable thing here is not so much that one of the options given already appeared after the fifth reading, but that the English translation of the Lectionary gets the rubric wrong!

The Latin reads, after listing Ps 41 as the responsorial psalm for the seventh reading: “Vel, quando celebratur Baptisma, Is 12 ut supra (post lectionem n. 5), vel etiam Ps 50…”

So, according to the Latin typical edition, Ps 41 ‘Like a deer’ is always sung after the seventh reading, except when there are Baptisms, when also Is 12 ‘You will draw water’ or Ps 51 ‘Create a clean heart’ may be chosen. The English however reverses the condition to choose the options: “When Baptism is NOT celebrated”!

The reasoning of the Latin rubric makes much more sense to me: when there are Baptisms and the fifth reading wasn’t used (yes, that’s possible), Is 12 can be chosen as responsorial psalm because of its clear Baptism theme. If the fifth reading was used and so Is 12 was already sung, Ps 51 can be chosen, which is also related to Baptism.

Holy Saturday Responsorial Psalms for Ordinary Form

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

About Jeff Ostrowski

Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004). He resides with his wife and children in Michigan. —(Read full biography).

PDF • “Music List” (Xmas Midnight Mass)

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for Christmas Midnight Mass (“Ad Missam In Nocte”). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The ENTRANCE CHANT is simple, but quite beautiful. 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

PDF • “Music List” (4th Sunday of Advent)

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 21 December 2025, which is the 4th Sunday of Advent (Year A). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The ENTRANCE CHANT is the famous “Roráte Coeli” and the fauxbourdon setting of the COMMUNION is exquisite. 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

PDF • Our Lady of Guadalupe (12 Dec.)

The Responsorial Psalm may be downloaded as a PDF file (organist & vocalist) for 12 December, which is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. When it comes to the formulary for this Mass, it’s astounding how infrequently it’s included in official books. Prior to Vatican II, one had to search through “supplemental material” printed in the back of hand-missals and graduals. But since 1970, the feast is virtually nonexistent. According to the UNIVERSAL KALENDAR, 12 December is the “Feast of Saint Jane Frances De Chantal, Religious” (Die 12 decembris: S. Ioannæ Franciscæ de Chantal, religiosæ). Why should that feast overpower Our Lady of Guadalupe? In the United States, OLG is celebrated—and I’d assume in Mexico, Central America, South America, and Canada—but, as I said, the Propria Missae are virtually impossible to locate. I possess only three books which mention this feast.

—Jeff Ostrowski

What does this mean? “Pre-Urbanite”

One of the things informed critics have frequently praised vis-à-vis the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal has to do with 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

Pope Leo XIV on Sacred Music

On 5 December 2025, Pope Leo XIV made this declaration with regard to liturgical music.

—Corpus Christi Watershed