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“What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too…” Pope Benedict XVI (7 July 2007)

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Views from the Choir Loft

No Salvation From Decrees (1 of 3)

Jeff Ostrowski · September 9, 2013

HOSE WHO DISAGREE with the Church’s traditional embrace of Gregorian chant often make the following claim:

“Vatican II never said Gregorian chant should have pride of place in the liturgy. This only applies to Masses celebrated in Latin.”

As my friend Andrew recently noted, this wrongheaded interpretation is beginning to gain traction. For instance, a 2007 USCCB Committee came out with a document providing “guidelines” (their word) for preparing liturgies in the United States. It is called Sing To The Lord, and §72 acknowledges that Gregorian chant should have “pride of place in liturgical services” under normal circumstances, but provides a footnote:

Musicam Sacram, no. 50a, further specifies that chant has pride of place “in sung liturgical services celebrated in Latin.”

The implication is clear . . . but is that the whole story?

NO, IT IS NOT the whole story. The Second Vatican Council ordered (Sacrosanctum Concilium, §116) that Gregorian chant be given “first place” in liturgical services under normal circumstances because it is “specially suited to the Roman liturgy.” However, a document issued by the Sacred Congregation of Rites four years later (Musicam Sacram) contains an entire section on the use of Latin, which repeats §36 of Sacrosanctum Concilium (“the use of the Latin language is to be preserved in the Latin rites”).

      * * Please take note of the following underlined words.

Toward the middle of that section on Latin, three (3) statements are made:

50. In sung liturgical services celebrated in Latin:

(a) Gregorian chant, as proper to the Roman liturgy, should be given pride of place, other things being equal. Its melodies, contained in the “typical” editions, should be used, to the extent that this is possible.

(b) “It is also desirable that an edition be prepared containing simpler melodies, for use in smaller churches.”

(c) Other musical settings, written for one or more voices, be they taken from the traditional heritage or from new works, should be held in honor, encouraged and used as the occasion demands.

In other words, taken in context, absolutely nothing in Musicam Sacram modifies or amends §116 of Sacrosanctum Concilium. In the section dealing with the use of Latin in the liturgy, this later document merely reminds us that Gregorian chant retains pride of place in these ceremonies (which is no surprise). As a matter of fact, 50a has a “deeper meaning” regarding 50b, but I can’t go into any of that right now — Susan Benofy get into some of it here.

IN CONCLUSION:

Billy claims all Americans can swim. Joseph is an American. Billy says Joseph can swim.

So … where’s the news? I never thought I’d say this, but:   NO.   BIG.   DEAL.

This article is part of a series:

Part 1   •   Part 2   •   Part 3

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

PDF Download • Trinity Sunday (22 pages)

Feel free to download this Organ Accompaniment Booklet for Trinity Sunday (Second Vespers). Notice how the modes progress by number. Psalm 1 is mode 1; Psalm 2 is mode 2; Psalm 3 is mode 3; Psalm 4 is mode 4; Psalm 5 is mode 5. I am told by an expert that other feasts (such as Corpus Christi) are likewise organized by mode, and it’s called a “numerical office.”

—Jeff Ostrowski
10 June 2022 • “Official” rhythm of plainsong

I continue to search for the most beautiful way to present the “pure” Editio Vaticana scores. (Technically, the “pure” rhythm of the official edition is what everyone is supposed to use.) You can download my latest attempt, which is the Introit for this coming Sunday: Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. Because this is not an ancient feast, the Introit had to be adapted (perhaps around 750AD). Prior Johner says the adaptation is “not an entirely happy one.”

—Jeff Ostrowski
7 June 2022 • FEEDBACK

From Chelan, Washington: “CCWatershed is a God-sent resource that I can’t function without! Such great work by the team to bring beauty back to our liturgy!” From Gainesville, Florida: “I am so appreciative of the work, of my brothers and sisters in music!” From Troutman, North Carolina: “Keep up the excellent work in service of the Liturgy!”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“To treat harmony and rhythm in this matter was a difficult matter. Facing numerous problems both large and small—that arose constantly—we understood that a flawless harmonization of Gregorian chant cannot be created by improvisation, no matter the competence and ability of the organist or harmonist.”

— ‘Mons. Jules Van Nuffel, NOH Preface’

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