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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

Pope Saint John Paul II on Gregorian Chant

Richard J. Clark · June 13, 2014

N THE FEAST OF SAINT CECILIA in 2003, Pope Saint John Paul II gave the Chirograph for the Centenary of Tra le sollecitudini of Pope Saint Pius X. As Gregorian Chant was arguably “dead” during much of his pontificate, Pope Saint John Paul II’s strong words on Gregorian Chant, are therefore even more notable:

12. With regard to compositions of liturgical music, I make my own the “general rule” that St Pius X formulated in these words: “The more closely a composition for church approaches in its movement, inspiration and savour the Gregorian melodic form, the more sacred and liturgical it becomes; and the more out of harmony it is with that supreme model, the less worthy it is of the temple”. It is not, of course, a question of imitating Gregorian chant but rather of ensuring that new compositions are imbued with the same spirit that inspired and little by little came to shape it.

He immediately follows with words extremely humbling for any composer:

“Only an artist who is profoundly steeped in the sensus Ecclesiae can attempt to perceive and express in melody the truth of the Mystery that is celebrated in the Liturgy.”

Other notable sections:

3. “…I have also stressed the need to ‘purify worship from ugliness of style, from distasteful forms of expression, from uninspired musical texts which are not worthy of the great act that is being celebrated”, to guarantee dignity and excellence to liturgical compositions.” (emphasis added)

4. “In continuity with the teachings of St Pius X and the Second Vatican Council, it is necessary first of all to emphasize that music destined for sacred rites must have holiness as its reference point: indeed, ‘sacred music increases in holiness to the degree that it is intimately linked with liturgical action…’” (emphasis added)

IN COMPOSING THE “MASS IN HONOR OF POPE SAINT JOHN PAUL II”, I pray that I lived up to some of the his words. If not, I will strive further!

Recently, I was asked to provide a Unison and Organist Edition of the mass. It is available below. (Descants are still included!) Furthermore, this mass is published with the approval for liturgical use by the Committee on Divine Worship, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

DOWNLOAD Unison/Organist Edition:
PDF • Mass in Honor of Pope Saint John Paul II (for Schola, Organ)

DOWNLOAD Complete Score (2.3 MG):
PDF • Mass in Honor of Pope Saint John Paul II (for Schola, Organ, SATB)

• SATB Recordings by the St. Cecilia Choir, Boston, MA, with the 1999 Smith & Gilbert Organ:

      YouTube:  Penitential Act C | Kyrie
      YouTube:  Gloria
      YouTube:  Sanctus
      YouTube:  Memorial Acclamation A
      YouTube:  Memorial Acclamation B
      YouTube:  Memorial Acclamation C
      YouTube:  Doxology, Amen
      YouTube:  Agnus Dei

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Pope Saint John Paul II, Saint Cecilia, Tra le sollecitudini Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Richard J. Clark

Richard J. Clark is the Director of Music of the Archdiocese of Boston and the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.—(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    “Entrance Chant” • 23rd (Ordinary Time)
    This coming Sunday, 7 September 2025, is the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). You can download the “Entrance Chant,” conveniently located at the feasts website. I also recorded a rehearsal video for it (freely available at the same website). The Communion Chant includes gorgeous verses in FAUXBOURDON. I attempted to create a rehearsal video for it, and it’s been posted at the feasts website, called by some: “church music’s best kept secret.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • 3 September
    According to the MISSALE RECENS, the Feast of Saint Gregory the Great occurs on 3 September (the date Gregory became pope). Formerly, his feast was celebrated during Lent, on 12 March (the day Gregory died). In Latin, the feast is: Die 3 Septembris: S. Gregorii Magni, papæ et Ecclesiæ doctoris. you can download the Latin Introit, the Latin Offertory, as well as the Communion with gorgeous fauxbordon in English. Abbat Joseph Pothier—along with Dom André Mocquereau, Bishop Laurent Janssens, Father De Santi, and other Gregorian superstars—sang with a choir of 1,210 voices (from 36 different Roman colleges) under the direction of Monsignor Antonio Rella. That Mass included the “Alma cohors,” a special SEQUENCE for Saint Gregory…much to the dismay of those who believe in strict adherence to rubrics. The Mass on 11 April 1904 was celebrated by Pope Saint Pius X, at the great GREGORIAN CONGRESS held in Rome “to mark the 13th Centenary of the death of Saint Gregory the Great.” Someday, there’s much I’d love to say about this congress. We even have recordings (!) from it (made in 1904 by the Gramophone Company) with choirs conducted by Dom Pothier, Dom Mocquereau, Dom Janssens, Monsignor Rella, Baron Kanzler, and others.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    New Bulletin Article • “7 September 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 is called: “Professor Bouyer’s Regret.”
    —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

“Edwin Fischer was, on the concert platform, a short, leonine, resilient figure, whose every fibre seemed to vibrate with elemental musical power.”

— Daniel Barenboim (1960)

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  • PDF Download • 3 September

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