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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

Easter Hymn: “O Filii et Filiæ” • Contemporary setting (SATB)

Jeff Ostrowski · March 21, 2017

IKE OTHER musicians—even Horowitz—I often view my earlier projects with disgust. The passage of time can reveal flaws in earlier works. But “for every rule there is an exception,” and I recently stumbled upon a 2001 edition I made of an Easter hymn (based on a work by Msgr. Jules Van Nuffel).

I think it holds up pretty well:

* *  PDF Download • “O FILII ET FILIAE” (SATB)

Pardon my squeaky Soprano notes, but I wanted to show how it sounds:

REHEARSAL VIDEOS for each individual voice—along with PDF score—await you at #5909. If you like them, please consider donating $5.00 per month.

Sing along with the Tenor Rehearsal video—could anything be more fun?

MY EDITION is similar to the version found in the special “English translation edition” of the Solesmes Liber Usualis, which can be downloaded here. If you examine the setting of words like “Salóme” as printed in that 1957 book, you might almost be forgiven for thinking the accent is on the antepenult. On the other hand, similar techniques were used by Machaut and Dufay—and it certainly helps prevent the tonic accent from becoming heavy and predictable.

O fílii et fíliae,
Rex caeléstis, Rex glóriae,
Mórte surréxit hódie.

O sons and daughters,
The King celestial, the King of glory,
From death arose to-day.

Et María Magdaléne,
Et Jacóbi, et Salóme,
Venérunt córpus úngere.

And Mary Magdalene, Salome,
And also Mary of James
Came to anoint the body.

In álbis sédens, ángelus
Praedíxit muliéribus:
In Galilaéa est Dóminus.

In white robes sitting the Angel
Foretold to the women:
In Galilee is the Lord.

Discípulis adstántibus,
In médio stétit Chrístus,
Dícens: Pax vóbis ómnibus.

The disciples standing by,
In the midst stood Christ,
Saying: Peace be to you all.

Víde, Thóma, víde látus,
Víde pédes, víde mánus,
Nóli ésse incrédulus.

See, Thomas, see my side,
See my feet, see my hands,
Do not be unbelieving.

Quándo Thómas Chrísti látus,
Pédes vídit átque mánus,
Díxit: Tu es Déus méus.

When Thomas saw Christ’s side,
When the feet he saw and the hands,
He said: Thou art my God.

Beáti qui non vidérunt,
Et fírmiter credidérunt,
Vítam aetérnam habébunt.

Blessèd they who have not seen,
Yet have firmly believed,
Life eternal shall they have.

In hoc fésto sanctíssimo
Sit laus et jubilátio,
Benedicámus Dómino.

On this feast most holy
Be there praise and jubilation,
Let us bless the Lord.

Monsignor Jules Van Nuffel’s school certainly loved pedal tones in middle voices—as you know if you purchased Volume 5 of the NOH hardcopy, which explains their compositional principles—and the Alto is chock-full of them in the above arrangement.

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

Filed Under: Articles, Featured, PDF Download Tagged With: Harmonized Gregorian Chant, O Filii Et Filiae Last Updated: March 7, 2023

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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).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    “Reminder” — Month of November (2025)
    On a daily basis, I speak to people who don’t realize we publish a free newsletter (although they’ve followed our blog for years). We have no endowment, no major donors, no savings, and refuse to run annoying ads. As a result, our mailing list is crucial to our survival. Signing up couldn’t be easier: simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Offertory” at Catholic Funerals
    I have argued that the OFFERTORY—at least in its ancient form—is more of a responsory than an antiphon. The 1962 Missal specifically calls it “Antiphona ad Offertorium.” From now on, I plan to use this beautiful setting (PDF) at funerals, since it cleverly inserts themes from the absolution of the body. Tons more research needs to be done on the OFFERTORY, which often is a ‘patchwork’ stitching together various beginnings and endings of biblical verses. For instance, if you examine the ancient verses for Dómine, vivífica me (30th Sunday in Ordinary Time) you’ll discover this being done in a most perplexing way. Rebecca Maloy published a very expensive book on the OFFERTORY, but it was a disappointment. Indeed, I can’t think of a single valuable insight contained in her book. What a missed opportunity!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “In Paradisum” • Gregorian Chant
    As a RECESSIONAL on All Souls’ Day (November 2nd), we will sing In Paradísum Dedúcant Te Ángeli (PDF). When it comes to Gregorian Chant, this is one of the most popular “songs.” Frankly, all the prayers and chants from the traditional REQUIEM MASS (Missa exsequialis or Missa pro defunctis) are incredibly powerful and never should’ve been scuttled. Click here to hear “In Paradisum” in a recording I made this afternoon. Professor Louis Bouyer spoke of the way Bugnini “scuttled the office of the dead” in this fascinating excerpt from his memoirs. In his book, La riforma litugica (1983), Bugnini bragged—in quite a shameful way—about eliminating the ancient funeral texts, and even admitted those venerable texts were “beloved” (his word) by Catholics.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Gospel Options for 2 November (“All Souls”)
    We’ve been told some bishops are suppressing the TLM because of “unity.” But is unity truly found in the MISSALE RECENS? For instance, on All Souls (2 November), any of these Gospel readings may be chosen, for any reason (or for no reason at all). The same is true of the Propria Missæ and other readings—there are countless options in the ORDINARY FORM. In other words, no matter which OF parish you attend on 2 November, you’ll almost certainly hear different propers and readings, to say nothing of different ‘styles’ of music. Where is the “unity” in all this? Indeed, the Second Vatican Council solemnly declared: “Even in the liturgy, the Church has no wish to impose a rigid uniformity in matters which do not implicate the faith or the good of the whole community.”
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Our Father” • Musical Setting?
    Looking through a Roman Catholic Hymnal published in 1859 by Father Guido Maria Dreves (d. 1909), I stumbled upon this very beautiful tune (PDF file). I feel it would be absolutely perfect to set the “Our Father” in German to music. Thoughts?
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

[to the executioner] Sir Thomas More: “I forgive you right readily.” [gives him a coin] “Be not afraid of your office; you send me to God.” Archbishop Cranmer: “You’re very sure of that, Sir Thomas?” More: “He will not refuse one who is so blithe to go to him.” [kneeling, he places his head on the chopping block]

— From “A Man for All Seasons” (1960 play by Robert Bolt)

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