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Views from the Choir Loft

The G.I.R.M. Mentions “Hymnus” Only Once …

Jeff Ostrowski · December 3, 2013

964 Lecti MENTIONED IN A 2012 ARTICLE that the official, Latin version of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) uses the word “hymnus” just once. Please correct me in the combox if I’m wrong.

How ironic! As I pointed out, that spot after Communion is the absolute best place to sing a congregational hymn with all the verses. Yet, many parishes don’t seem to realize this … although many are discovering it.

If you want to read my 2012 article, click here.   However, I much prefer this more recent article.

MY 2012 ARTICLE WAS REJECTED for publication by HPR, and I mused on this in a blog post. Some people thought I was criticizing HPR for not publishing my article … but that wasn’t my intent.

That fact is, the article was probably too technical. “Liturgy talk” puts a lot of Catholics to sleep. Then, when you start throwing in stuff like “musical style,” Church documents, and melodic characteristics, it’s hopeless. The subject is just too technical, by it’s very nature, especially in an age where many folks listen exclusively to “beat music” on the radio and may have never heard a polyphonic motet performed well. The subject is also intensely personal: e.g. if a priest in the 1970s allowed a song by the Beatles, an emotional memory is formed, and the suggestion that secular songs be eschewed at Mass might hurt someone’s feelings. (For the record, it works both ways: I have incredibly emotional memories of singing the Pange Lingua as a child on Holy Thursday, etc.)

When it comes to liturgy and sacred music, it’s extremely difficult to make even a short (accurate) statement without spending hours explaining context, noting exceptions, defining one’s terms, and so forth.

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Hymns Replacing Propers 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

    Schola Director Posts ‘Live’ Recording
    As I explained in my article posted earlier today, Nun Komm Der Heiden Heiland is actually a Catholic tune (in spite of what some have claimed). The volunteer choir I direct sang that beautiful ADVENT melody last Sunday, and I invite you to listen to the live recording. It will get better the more we sing it.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Message from the Vice-President!
    The Vice-President of the Church Music Association of America, Dr. Horst Buchholz (who also serves as Director of Sacred Music for the Archdiocese of Detroit) sent us an email yesterday regarding the harmonizations (PDF) I composed for the Gregorian Chant psalm tones. Dr. Buchholz says: “Those settings are absolutely exquisite, as I'm used to when it comes from you. Bravo! Well done! Now, as a sequel, if you could write something for accompanying psalms in English that would be awesome.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Requesting Our Advent Eucharistic Hymn
    A young lady named Agnes wrote to us: “Dear Mr. Ostrowski, do you have the PDF score for Ave Corpus Domini set to the ADVENT melody? Last year, we sang the hymn tune “Nun Komm der Heiden Heiland” quite a bit using your contrafactum technique. My choir appreciates the Latin hymns and practice videos, especially in the ADVENT and CHRISTMAS seasons. Your recent article on Gregorian Psalm Tones is a great help to my organist brother, and reminds us of attending VESPERS years ago when we lived in California. Thank you so much for all the effort put into providing these wonderful resources!”   Agnes, if you are listening! Yes, the PDF file you desire can be downloaded for free at the Brébeuf Portal via this URL link. Thanks for writing to us!
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

In the Orthodox Churches they have kept that pristine liturgy, so beautiful. We have lost a bit the sense of adoration. They keep, they praise God, they adore God, they sing, time doesn’t count. God is the center, and this is a richness …

— Pope Francis (8/2/2013)

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