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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

Poterack Vs. Tucker — Uh, Sort Of . . .

Jeff Ostrowski · May 20, 2013

OOKING BACK at my college career, one of the most interesting classes I attended involved two professors standing in front of a class full of undergraduates and . . . arguing. That’s right: arguing! It turns out the professors were actually the best of friends (the students did not know this initially), and this method of teaching was incredibly effective. Not only did it convey subject matter, but it demonstrated how to actually have an argument. I think I’ve met a grand total of 5-6 people who actually understand how to conduct a true argument. Most people do not. But that’s another story . . .

Getting back to the point at hand, I was reminded of those two professors when I recently came across an exchange between Dr. Kurt Poterack (former editor, Sacred Music Journal) and Jeffrey Tucker (current editor, Sacred Music Journal). Here’s the exchange:

      * *  1999 Exchange Between Dr. Kurt Poterack & Jeffrey Tucker [pdf]

Anyone who’s ever been to a Colloquium knows that Kurt and Jeff are very close (personally) which makes the exchange that much more interesting. I’m not going to say who’s right or wrong. To do that, I’d have to see the original Latin Mass Magazine piece mentioned by Dr. Poterack.

So why am I bringing all this stuff up?

I’m glad you asked. The reason is due to Dr. Poterack’s comment:

Though I am somewhat loath to criticize a fellow liturgical conservative, I must say that his criticism of the Adoremus Hymnal is off target. Put briefly, he seems to dislike it because it is not the Liber Usualis and not Tridentine.

How many times has Watershed’s Vatican II Hymnal [url] been taken to task for the same reason! Just like Dr. Poterack says, so many people fail to understand what our book is. It is a book for the congregation, not a book for the choir. No matter how many times I try to get this point across, it never seems to “stick.” The Vatican II Hymnal was never meant to replace the Liber Usualis.

(Let me say once more, I’m not sure if Dr. Poterack’s criticism is fair, since I haven’t read Tucker’s original piece. That’s not the point.)

By the way, Dr. Poterack published a lot of really interesting things in those old journals. Here’s a sample:

The Sacred Congregation of Rites and the Consilium issued a joint statement on December 29,1966 prohibiting profane music in church. When Consilium spokesman Monsignor Annibale Bugnini was asked at a press conference what was meant by “profane” music, he said that this referred to such things as “jazz” Masses and instruments such as the guitar.

That’s taken from a big article he wrote in the Winter 1998 edition of Sacred Music.

I won’t go on giving examples, but permit me just one more, taken from 128-1:

I recommend reading this 1964 commentary by Msgr. McManus, because in it is revealed — less than a year after the Liturgy Constitution was passed — the quirky, ideological way in which the liturgy establishment intended to interpret article 36 of the constitution.
   After the gratuitous slam on Latin, notice what Msgr. McManus says next: “Although it is not the original language of the Roman rite by any means, the Latin language is here acknowledged to have the first or principal place, and as such it is to be retained. It may be that in some areas the retention will simply mean employing the Latin texts as the basis for translating into the vernacular, at least in the case of those parts of the Roman rite which are themselves original, such as the collects.”
   Did you get that? In “some areas” (he means the United States, not Kenya) the “retention of Latin” will not mean the retention of Latin, and this total vernacularization will only in some cases use the original Latin as “the basis for translations.” What is particularly funny about the last sentence is that the Calvinist-leaning Archbishop Cranmer showed far more respect and sensitivity to the original Latin collects in the English translations he did for the 16th-century Anglican Book of Common Prayer than ICEL ended up showing in the 1970 Roman Catholic Sacramentary.

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 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

    New Bulletin Article • “21 September 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 21 September 2025) discusses some theological items—supported by certain verses in ancient Catholic hymns—and ends by explaining why certain folks become delirious with jealousy when they observe feats by Monsignor Ronald Knox.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Cheap! Cheap! Cheap!
    It’s always amusing to see old diocesan newspapers—in huge capital letters—advertising the Cheapest Catholic Paper in the United States. The correspondent who sent this to me added: “I can think of certain composers, published by large companies in our own day, who could truthfully brag about the most tawdry compositions in the world!” I wonder what she could have meant by such a cryptic comment…
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • Dom Murray Harmonies
    Along with so many others, I have deep respect for Dom Gregory Gregory Murray, who produced this clever harmonization (PDF) of “O SANCTISSIMA.” It’s always amazed me that Dom Gregory—a truly inspired composer—was so confused when it came to GREGORIAN CHANT. Throughout his life, he published contradictory statements, veering back-and-forth like a weather vane. Toward the end of his life, he declared: “I see clearly that the need for reform in liturgical music arose, not in the 18th and 19th centuries, but a thousand years earlier—in the 8th and 9th centuries, or even before that. The abuses began, not with Mozart and Haydn, but with those over-enthusiastic medieval musicians who developed the elaborate and flamboyant Gregorian Chant.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Karl Keating • “Canonization Questions”
    We were sent an internet statement (screenshot) that’s garnered significant attention, in which KARL KEATING (founder of Catholic Answers) speaks about whether canonizations are infallible. Mr. Keating seems unaware that canonizations are—in the final analysis—a theological opinion. They are not infallible, as explained in this 2014 article by a priest (with a doctorate in theology) who worked for multiple popes. Mr. Keating says: “I’m unaware of such claims arising from any quarter until several recent popes disliked by these Traditionalists were canonized, including John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul II. Usually Paul VI receives the most opprobrium.” Mr. Keating is incorrect; e.g. Father John Vianney, several centuries ago, taught clearly that canonizations are not infallible. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen would be another example, although clearly much more recent than Saint John Vianney.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Vatican II Changed Wedding Propers?
    It’s often claimed that the wedding propers were changed after Vatican II. As a matter of fact, that is a false claim. The EDITIO VATICANA propers (Introit: Deus Israel) remained the same after Vatican II. However, a new set of propers (Introit: Ecce Deus) was provided for optional use. The same holds true for the feast of Pope Saint Gregory the Great on 3 September: the 1943 propers (Introit: Si díligis me) were provided for optional use, but the traditional PROPRIA MISSAE (Introit: Sacerdótes Dei) were retained; they weren’t gotten rid of. The Ordo Cantus Missae (1970) makes this crystal clear, as does the Missal itself. There was an effort made in the post-conciliar years to eliminate so-called “Neo-Gregorian” chants, but (contrary to popular belief) most were retained: cf. the feast of Christ the King, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, and so forth.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Solemn “Salve Regina” (Chant)
    How many “S” words can you think of using alliteration? How about Schwann Solemn Salve Score? You can download the SOLEMN SALVE REGINA in Gregorian Chant. The notation follows the official rhythm (EDITIO VATICANA). Canon Jules Van Nuffel, choirmaster of the Cathedral of Saint Rumbold, composed this accompaniment for it (although some feel it isn’t his best work).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“We cannot approve of the attitude of those who use the problems raised and discussed by the Council to create in themselves and in others an attitude of unrest and a desire for radical reformation, as if the Council gives every private opinion a chance to destroy the heritage of the Church. acquired during Her many centuries of history and experience.”

— Pope Paul VI (30 June 1965)

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