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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

“Turn Those Altars Around!” — Cardinal Lercaro, Consilium President (1965)

Jeff Ostrowski · March 27, 2014

704 John XXIII in 1962 HE OLD LATIN MASS had special rubrics for Masses said facing the people (versus populum) but such rubrics were unknown to most priests because Mass was seldom offered in that way. However, in the 1960s, this new form of celebration seemed to “spread like wild fire” even though the Second Vatican Council never mandated it. In fact, the Council never mentioned it!

Many people have wondered how such things came about, and I may have discovered a new “clue” from the BCL Newsletter (September 1965):

      * *  BCL Newsletter — September 1965

Did you notice this quote?

“Wherever it is reasonably possible, the altar must be turned toward the people. The seat of the celebrant when possible must be placed in the apse.” — Cardinal Lercaro, president of the Consilium, NCWC News Service, 6 March 1965, Foreign, p. 5.


FOUR EXPERTS have assured me this was simply Cardinal Lercaro’s personal opinion — no official document expresses this requirement. Remember that Pope Paul VI had set up the Consilium in opposition to the Sacred Congregation of Rites, causing great confusion. Furthermore, the Consilium meetings themselves were chaos. According to Cardinal Antonelli (who would know, because of his roles) many Consilium meetings didn’t even count the votes (much less record them), nobody knew if a simple majority or 2/3 majority was required, and even documents of great importance (like the new Eucharistic Prayers) were often passed out the night before the meetings!

Perhaps Cardinal Antonelli said it best when he made the following comment:

“Cardinal Lercaro is not the man to direct a discussion. Father Bugnini has only one interest: press ahead and finish.”

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Ad Orientem, Mass Facing The People, Versus Populum Altars 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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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    A Nice Hymn In Spanish
    In my humble opinion, this is a really beautiful hymn in Spanish. If I practice diligently, I’ll be able to pronounce all the words properly. If you’re someone who’s interested in obtaining a melody only version (suitable for your congregational ORDER OF WORSHIP) you can steal that from this.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Music List” • 21st in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Our choir returns on Sunday, 24 August 2025. Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for it, which is the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the spectacular feasts website. When it comes to the feast of the Assumption (15 August 2025), I have uploaded the music list for that Mass—but not the “bi-lingual” Mass in the evening (Spanish, Latin, and English) which has completely different music.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Entrance Chant” • 21st Sunday Ordin. Time
    You can download the ENTRANCE ANTIPHON in English for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) which is coming up on 24 August 2025. Corresponding to the vocalist score is this free organ accompaniment. It’s set in a melancholy mode, but if you heard my choir’s female voices singing it your soul would be uplifted beyond belief. If you’re someone who enjoys rehearsal videos, this morning I tried to sing it while simultaneously accompanying my voice on the pipe organ.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Solemn “Salve Regina” (Chant)
    How many “S” words can you think of using alliteration? How about Schwann Solemn Salve Score? You can download the SOLEMN SALVE REGINA in Gregorian Chant. The notation follows the official rhythm (EDITIO VATICANA). Canon Jules Van Nuffel, choirmaster of the Cathedral of Saint Rumbold, composed this accompaniment for it (although some feel it isn’t his best work).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Pope Pius XII Hymnal?
    Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Hybrid” Chant Notation?
    Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“The production of this book was too far advanced for notice to be taken of the new translation of the Hebrew psalter into Latin by the professor of the Biblical Institute at Rome. The Holy Father’s permission to use it in the divine office when properly adapted for the purpose will prove a welcome boon.”

— Father Cuthbert Lattey (15 Nov. 1944)

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