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Views from the Choir Loft

First Time Attending A Novus Ordo Mass

Jeff Ostrowski · June 26, 2014

336 Eagle ROWING UP, I attended a “typical” Catholic school of the 1990s, where the wacky theories of the time were taught. For example, our religion teacher said Adam & Eve never really existed, but were probably some form of evolving animal. Another teacher said God is certainly not omniscient, but does possess “a general idea how things will turn out in the end.”

Songs like Anthem (Tom Conry) and Sing A Simple Song Unto The Lord reigned supreme during Mass, and we were forced to do hand motions. Even though I was very young, I’ll never forget a comment uttered by the lady in charge of playing the piano for Mass: “I’m having a hard time finding Communion songs in this hymnal.” Our hymnal was Glory & Praise: the one with the bizarre Flying Eagle Picture.

When my parents couldn’t take it anymore, we sought out the Extraordinary Form, even though that required driving long distances. I attended the EF exclusively for a number of years and learned to especially cherish the quiet, peaceful, low Masses (even though I’m probably not supposed to admit that).

WHEN I RETURNED TO THE NOVUS ORDO, the priest would read some random-sounding verse at the beginning of Mass and at Communion. This was before the New Translation, and the language often struck me as pedestrian, as one might address a man on the street. (Cardinal Burke has said the language sounded “juvenile.”) I failed to realize these were the ENTRANCE and COMMUNION antiphons assigned to each Mass.

Why didn’t I realize this? Because I’m ignorant? Yes, I am ignorant — but maybe it would have been easier with a book like the JOGUES MISSAL, which clearly shows each member of the congregation what these antiphons are all about. Here’s an example:

      * *  Sample Page (PDF) — from the Jogues Illuminated Missal

Because there is no official translation of the Graduale Romanum, we chose a dignified-yet-modern translation done by Solesmes Abbey in the 1990s — the same translation used in publications like the Simple English Propers (CMAA, 2011). If you download the PDF version of the 1965 Missal, you’ll notice that the Solesmes translations are extremely similar. For example:

      * *  Comparison (PDF) — Between 1965 Missal & Jogues Missal

To view a fascinating version from 1806 — very similar to our translation — click here.

How wonderful it is to become familiar with these antiphons! Here’s the one for the 2nd Sunday of Advent — how lovely!

EOPLE OF SION, BEHOLD the Lord shall come to save the nations; and the Lord shall make the glory of his voice to be heard, in the joy of your heart.
(Ps 79:2)   O shepherd of lsrael, hearken, O guide of the flock of Joseph!
V. Glory be to the Father.   Repeat: People of Sion.

Doesn’t that just scream Advent?

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

Filed Under: Articles 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

    PDF • “For the Season of Pentecost”
    During the season of Pentecost, you might consider using this 2-page Piece “for the season of Pentecost.” Rehearsal videos are available at #40691, but the lyrics are different. Therefore, make sure your choir members understand that one can rehearse songs that have different lyrics (“CONTRAFACT”).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Introit • (This Coming Sunday)
    Our volunteer choir appreciates training videos, so here's my attempt at recording “Exáudi Dómine Vocem Meam,” which is the INTROIT for this coming Sunday. This coming Sunday is Dominica Post Ascensionem (“Sunday after the feast of the Ascension”). It is sung according to the official rhythm of the Catholic Church.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Volunteer Choir Attempts “Kýrie Eléison”
    My volunteer choir attempted the polyphonic KYRIE that will be sung at this year's Sacred Music Symposium. If you're interested, you can listen to the live recording from last Sunday. The piece is based on the ancient plainchant hymn melody: Ave Maris Stella. Polyphony like this is truly intricate and wonderful. It reminds me of the quote by Artur Schnabel: “music that's greater than it can be performed.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“Only against this background, of the effective denial of the authority of Trent, can one understand the bitterness of the struggle against allowing the celebration of Mass according to the 1962 Missal after the liturgical reform. The possibility of so celebrating constitutes the strongest, and thus (for them) the most intolerable contradiction of the opinion of those who believe that the faith in the Eucharist, as formulated by Trent, has lost its validity.”

— Cardinal Ratzinger, 2001

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