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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

Andrew’s Orations

Fr. David Friel · November 30, 2012

HE ORATIONS for today’s feast of Saint Andrew are a fine example of the genius of the Roman Rite. That genius has become all the more clear through the 2010 English translation of the Missal. The new Missal, by its precision & fidelity, transmits many more nuances from the original Latin than the former Sacramentary had conveyed. In Andrew’s orations, the case is clear.

The Collect uses four titles to describe Andrew, whom the Orthodox remember as the Πρωτόκλητος (“First Called”) among our Lord’s disciples. It is fitting that this first oration should incorporate titles, so as to recall the identity and role of the saint being celebrated. The titles in the Collect appear in this order: Apostle, preacher, pastor, and intercessor. These ideas were weakly captured in the Sacramentary thusly: apostle, to preach, guide, and friend. I find all four titles to be rendered with greater strength in the new prayer. Apostle is now capitalized, the label of preacher is stronger than the infinitive, pastor means much more than guide, and an intercessor is something far more defined (though not other) than a friend.

The new Prayer over the Offerings magnificently prays that the elements “which we bring” to the altar may please God “by what we have brought and be given life by what you have accepted.” The structure of the prayer highlights the action of bringing and receiving gifts in such a prominent manner that, as I offered Mass this morning, the prayer immediately called to mind the feeding of the five thousand, where it was Andrew who noticed the boy with the loaves and fishes and brought them to the Lord. This brilliant allusion is so subdued as to be unrecognizable in the former Prayer over the Gifts.

The Prayer after Communion, also, alludes to an aspect of this great saint’s life. It has long been held that Andrew was martyred on a cross in the form of a Greek chi, equivalent to the letter X. This tradition is obliquely referenced by the new oration in its request that “we, who carry in our body the Death of Christ, may merit to live with him in glory.” The marvelous Pauline language of that prayer had formerly been rendered into the anemic line, “By sharing in Christ’s suffering may we live with him for ever.”

These three orations inspire me not only to seek the intercession of Saint Andrew, but also to acknowledge the inherent genius of the Roman Rite. I am grateful to God that this genius now flowers forth more fully from the Roman Missal in English.

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

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Fr. David Friel

Ordained in 2011, Father Friel is a priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and serves as Director of Liturgy at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary. —(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    “Music List” • 29th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 19 October 2025, which is the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the sensational feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Liturgical Round (“Canon”) in C-Major
    Those who direct children’s choirs are always on the lookout for repertoire that’s dignified, inspired, and pleasing—yet still within reach of young choristers. Such directors will want to investigate this haunting liturgical round (PDF download) which has been married to the KYRIE from Mass VI (EDITIO VATICANA). I have provided an accompaniment, but it’s only for use during rehearsal; i.e. when teaching this round to your choristers. I also provided an organ accompaniment for the KYRIE—which some know by its trope (Kyrie Rex Genitor)—so that your congregation can take part when this round is used as a choral extension during Mass.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Latin Liturgy Association
    We note with pleasure that Mrs. Regina Morris, president of the Latin Liturgy Association, has featured—on page 4 of Volume CXXIX of their official newsletter—the three (3) terrific versions of the Stations of the Cross found in the Brébeuf Hymnal. One of the main authors for the blog of the Church Music Association of America said (6/10/2019) about this pew book: “It is such a fantastic hymnal that it deserves to be in the pews of every Catholic church.”
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

    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
    “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
    The American Catholic Hymnal, with IMPRIMATUR granted (25 April 1991) by the Archdiocese of Chicago, is like a compendium of every horrible idea from the 1980s. Imagine being forced to stand all through Communion (even afterwards) when those self-same ‘enlightened’ liturgists moved the SEQUENCE before the Alleluia to make sure congregations wouldn’t have to stand during it. (Even worse, everything about the SEQUENCE—including its name—means it should follow the Alleluia.) And imagine endlessly repeating “Alleluia” during Holy Communion at every single Mass. It was all part of an effort to convince people that Holy Communion was historically a procession (which it wasn’t).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Fifty years ago, Dr. Theodore Marier made available this clever arrangement (PDF) of “Come down, O love divine” by P. R. Dietterich. The melody was composed in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (d. 1958) and named in honor of of his birthplace: DOWN AMPNEY. The arrangement isn’t a strict canon, but it does remind one of a canon since the pipe organ employs “points of imitation.” The melody and text are #709 in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“Vatican II did not say anything about the direction of the celebrant. […] I love both directions of celebrating Mass. Both are full of meaning for me. Both help me to encounter Christ—and that is, after all, the purpose of the liturgy.”

— Christoph Cardinal Schönborn (February 2007)

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