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Views from the Choir Loft

Anthrax . . . and the Mass Propers, of course!

Jeff Ostrowski · July 2, 2013

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!

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 Los Angeles.—(Read full biography).

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Quick Thoughts

    Tempo?? • 𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘺 𝘎𝘰𝘥, 𝘞𝘦 𝘗𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘛𝘩𝘺 𝘕𝘢𝘮𝘦
    Once, after Mass, my pastor said he really loved the hymn we did. I said: “Father, that's Holy God, We Praise Thy Name—you never heard it before?” He replied: “But the way you did it was terrific. For once, it didn't sound like a funeral dirge!” Last Sunday, our volunteer choir sang that hymn. I think the tempo was just about right … but what do you think?
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Don’t You Agree About These?
    If you want to make Jeff Ostrowski really happy, send him an email with effusive praise about the individual voice recordings for hymn #296. [Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass] They came out dazzlingly sensational, don't you agree?
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Choral Vowels? Yes? No?
    Here's a live recording of one of the choral “warm-up” exercises my choir enjoys. It was taken during our rehearsal on 27 January 2023. It’s good to make sure each chord is perfectly in tune and balanced before moving to the next one. That only happens when each singer has the correct vowel. If you like, you can freely download that vocal exercise.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

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“The Chasuble, or upper garment, represents the purple garment which the soldiers put upon Jesus Christ, and the heavy cross that He carried on His blessed shoulders to Mount Calvary.”

— Guide for the Laity (1875)

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