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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

Jungmann’s Remarkable Statement About The Mass Propers In 1964

Jeff Ostrowski · February 9, 2014

814 pius ii mantua Pope Pius II at the Congress of Mantua ROM A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE, László Dobszay has demonstrated that it’s incorrect to assume each Mass has its own “theme.”  Even more erroneous is the notion that the Readings historically played the largest role in determining this “theme.”  From a theological perspective, Fr. Deryck Hanshell has said:

In the name of the reform there has been a tendency to equate the “theme” of the Mass with the theme to be derived from the readings. This is a misunderstanding of the nature of the Mass, in which the liturgy of the word leads up to and is subordinate to the liturgy of the sacrifice. In every Mass there is properly speaking one theme and one theme alone: the theme of the paschal mystery, of the death and resurrection of Christ.

I had previously assumed that Fr. Josef Jungmann was aware of these two basic realities, so I was shocked to discover something he wrote in 1964:

Very often the Propers are not particularly apposite, bearing a particular reference neither to the rest of the Mass formula nor to the relevant part of the action of the Mass. In short, they need reforming.

The entire article is available at the following link:

      * *  “Liturgy and Congregational Singing” (1964) — Fr. Josef A. Jungmann, SJ

Did you notice the horrible error made by Editor, by the way? He accidentally typed “OPPOSITE” instead of “APPOSITE”. Needless to say, there’s a huge difference! (For the record, Msgr. Schmitt often joked about how sloppy an editor he was.)

Anyway, getting back to that quote … it’s appalling! In essence, Jungmann is saying:

“I’ve decided that each Mass has a theme. If the ancient Propers don’t match the theme I’ve invented, let’s change them. Let’s ignore the incredible history of these prayers, which have been used for approximately 1,600 years.”

The spoken Propers were, in fact, radically reformed in the wake of the Second Vatican Council, but the Sung Propers were left largely untouched. The reformers also annihilated most of the Collects, perhaps because they didn’t sufficiently match the “theme.” Dr. Lauren Pristas wrote a book about this, which I mention in my article, “Bugnini wanted to get rid of Ash Wednesday.”

I challenge you to carefully read that quote by Jungmann several times. What he’s putting forth shows a total misunderstanding of the Church’s liturgical life. I realize this is a serious allegation, but I cannot see any other possible conclusion.

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Hymns Replacing Propers, Mass Propers Proprium Missae 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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President’s Corner

    PDF Download • “Offertory” for this Sunday
    This coming Sunday, 12 October 2025, is the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). Its OFFERTORY ANTIPHON (PDF) is gorgeous, and comes from the book of Esther, as did the ENTRANCE CHANT last Sunday. Depending on a variety of factors, various hand-missals (all with Imprimatur) translate this passage differently. For instance, “príncipis” can be rendered: King; Prince; Lion; or Fierce lord. None is “more correct” than another. It depends on what each translator wants to emphasize and which source text is chosen. All these pieces of plainsong are conveniently stored at the blue-ribbon feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Why A “Fugue” Here?
    I believe I know why this plainsong harmonizer created a tiny fugue as the INTRODUCTION to his accompaniment. Take a look (PDF example) and tell me your thoughts about what he did on the feast of the Flight of Our Lord Jesus Christ into Egypt (17 February). And now I must go because “tempus fugit” as they say!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Reminder” — Month of October (2025)
    Those who don’t sign up for our free EMAIL NEWSLETTER miss important notifications. Last week, for example, I sent a message about this job opening for a music director paying $65,000 per year plus benefits (plus weddings & funerals). Notice the job description says: “our vision for sacred music is to move from singing at Mass to truly singing the Mass wherein … especially the propers, ordinaries, and dialogues are given their proper place.” Signing up couldn’t be easier: simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    New Bulletin Article • “12 October 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 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
    The American Catholic Hymnal, with IMPRIMATUR granted (25 April 1991) by the Archdiocese of Chicago, is like a compendium of every horrible idea from the 1980s. Imagine being forced to stand all through Communion (even afterwards) when those self-same ‘enlightened’ liturgists moved the SEQUENCE before the Alleluia to make sure congregations wouldn’t have to stand during it. (Even worse, everything about the SEQUENCE—including its name—means it should follow the Alleluia.) And imagine endlessly repeating “Alleluia” during Holy Communion at every single Mass. It was all part of an effort to convince people that Holy Communion was historically a procession (which it wasn’t).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Fifty years ago, Dr. Theodore Marier made available this clever arrangement (PDF) of “Come down, O love divine” by P. R. Dietterich. The melody was composed in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (d. 1958) and named in honor of of his birthplace: DOWN AMPNEY. The arrangement isn’t a strict canon, but it does remind one of a canon since the pipe organ employs “points of imitation.” The melody and text are #709 in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“The modern human being, wearied by the noisy and hectic life, through an attentive listening can find in church a restful peace which is the springboard for true prayer.”

— Dr. Joseph Lennards (1966)

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