Views from the Choir Loft

Official Lenten Acclamations In Latin & English

Corpus Christi Watershed · November 24, 2013

URING LENT, according to the official Ordo Lectionum Missae [source], instead of “Alleluia,” any of the following phrases may be used both before and after the Gospel Acclamation,:

* * Official Acclamations (PDF)

1. Gloria et laus tibi, Christe.
2. Gloria tibi, Christe, Sapientia Dei Patris.
3. Gloria tibi, Christe, Verbum Dei.
4. Gloria tibi, Domine, Fili Dei vivi.
5.  Laus et honor tibi, Domine Iesu.
6. Laus tibi, Christe, Rex aeternae gloriae.
7. Magna et mirabilia opera tua, Domine.
8. Salus et gloria et virtus Domino Iesu Christo.

1. Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ!
2. Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ, Wisdom of God the Father!
3. Glory to you, Word of God, Lord Jesus Christ!
4. Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God!
5. Praise and honor to you, Lord Jesus Christ!
6. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory!
7. Marvelous and great are your works, O Lord!
8. Salvation, glory, and power to the Lord Jesus Christ!

TO RECAP, Fr. Felix Just and Pedro d’Aquino agree that the official translation of the US-authorized Lectionary, n. 223 (located after Saturday after Ash Wednesday) should be used.

Gospel Acclamations for Lent:
1) Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ!
2) Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ, Wisdom of God the Father!
3) Glory to you, Word of God, Lord Jesus Christ!
4) Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God!
5) Praise and honor to you, Lord Jesus Christ!
6) Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory!
7) Marvelous and great are your works, O Lord!
8) Salvation, glory, and power to the Lord Jesus Christ!

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

PDF • “O Come All Ye Faithful” (Simplified)

I admire the harmonization of “Adeste Fideles” by David Willcocks (d. 2015), who served as director of the Royal College of Music (London, England). In 2025, I was challenged to create a simplified arrangement for organists incapable of playing the authentic version at tempo. The result was this simplified keyboard arrangement (PDF download) based on the David Willcocks version of “O Come All Ye Faithful.” Feel free to play through it and let me know what you think.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF • “Music List” (Sunday, 28 December)

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, & Joseph (28 Dec. 2025). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The FAUXBOURDON verses for the Communion Antiphon are particularly gorgeous. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are available at the feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF • “Music List” (Xmas Midnight Mass)

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for Christmas Midnight Mass (“Ad Missam In Nocte”). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The ENTRANCE CHANT is simple, but quite beautiful. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are available at the feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • “In Paradisum” in English

We always sing the IN PARADISUM in Latin, as printed on this PDF score. I have an appallingly bad memory (meaning I’d be a horrible witness in court). In any event, it’s been brought to my attention that 15 years ago I created this organ accompaniment for the famous and beautiful ‘IN PARADISUM’ Gregorian chant sung in English according to ‘MR3’ (Roman Missal, Third Edition). If anyone desires such a thing, feel free to download and print. Looking back, I wish I’d brought the TENOR and BASS voices into a unison (on B-Natural) for the word “welcome” on the second line.

—Jeff Ostrowski

What does this mean? “Pre-Urbanite”

Something informed critics have frequently praised vis-à-vis the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal is its careful treatment of the ancient hymns vs. the “Urbanite” hymns. This topic I had believed to be fairly well understood—but I was wrong. The reason I thought people knew about it is simple; in the EDITIO VATICANA 1908 Graduale Romanum (as well as the 1913 Liber Antiphonarius) both versions are provided, right next to each other. You can see what I mean by examining this PDF file from the Roman Gradual of 1908. Most people still don’t understand that the Urbanite versions were never adopted by any priests or monks who sang the Divine Office each day. Switching would have required a massive amount of effort and money, because all the books would need to be changed.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • “Santo Santo Santo”

Those searching for a dignified, brief, simple, bright setting of SANCTUS in Spanish (“Santo Santo Santo”) are invited to download this Setting in honor of Saint John Brébeuf (organist & vocalist). I wonder if there would be any interest in me recording a rehearsal video for this piece.

—Jeff Ostrowski