• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

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.”

  • Donate
  • Our Team
    • Our Editorial Policy
    • Who We Are
    • How To Contact Us
    • Sainte Marie Bulletin Articles
    • Jeff’s Mom Joins Fundraiser
  • Pew Resources
    • Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal
    • Jogues Illuminated Missal
    • KYRIALE • Saint Antoine Daniel
    • Campion Missal, 3rd Edition
    • Repository • “Spanish Music”
    • Ordinary Form Feasts (Sainte-Marie)
  • MUSICAL WEBSITES
    • René Goupil Gregorian Chant
    • Noël Chabanel Psalms
    • Nova Organi Harmonia (2,279 pages)
    • Roman Missal, 3rd Edition
    • Catechism of Gregorian Rhythm
    • Father Enemond Massé Manuscripts
    • Lalemant Polyphonic
  • Miscellaneous
    • Site Map
    • Secrets of the Conscientious Choirmaster
    • “Wedding March” for lazy organists
    • Emporium Kevin Allen
    • Saint Jean de Lalande Library
    • Sacred Music Symposium 2023
    • The Eight Gregorian Modes
    • Gradual by Pothier’s Protégé
    • Seven (7) Considerations
Views from the Choir Loft

Diary of Cardinal Antonelli (1964): “How Exactly Should The Vatican II Mass Look?”

Jeff Ostrowski · July 19, 2014

6031 Antonelli ARDINAL FERDINAND ANTONELLI served as Secretary for the Consilium of Paul VI. (Technically, Cardinal Antonelli was appointed “Secretary of the Conciliar Commission on the Liturgy” on 4 October 1962.) Extremely well-informed and experienced, he was probably the most reliable and unbiased witness of the postconciliar liturgical reforms.

As you can see below, Cardinal Antonelli would today be given a “Reform of the Reform” label, proving that Pope Benedict XVI was correct 1 in his interpretation of the Second Vatican Council.

Please do not freak out because the diary contains Latin quotes: I’ve provided an English translation at the end.

Any comments written in red are mine.

*           *           *

PRIVATE DIARY OF CARDINAL ANTONELLI
—   Entry Date:   27 December 1964   —

Sacrosanctum Concilium

1. Article 50 of the Constitution contains 3 words which are explosive when compared to the actual state of things: Ordo Missae recognoscatur.

Therefore, the fixed parts of the Mass must be revised. In reality, they are not very ancient and assumed their present form only in the Tridentine reform. The Canon, however, has remained unchanged since the time of Gregory the Great, simply because he believed it to be Apostolic in origin.

[Cardinal Antonelli is incorrect when he says “in reality, they are not very ancient.” He’s probably referring to the fact that certain parts of the Tridentine Ordo Missae—such as the Offertory Prayers and “Prayers at the Foot of the Altar“—are not quite as ancient as things like the Canon and Proprium Missae. However, even those items go back many centuries before the Council of Trent, as anyone who purchases the Jogues Missal can see clearly.]

2. The Constitution also gives the criteria for recognition:

a) Singularum partium propria ratio necnon mutua connexio clarius pateant, for example, distinguishing the place of the liturgy of the word and that of the Eucharist;

[The Tridentine Low Mass did not demonstrate the difference between the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist as clearly as the arrangement used during a Tridentine Pontifical Mass. Antonelli here wants the Pontifical to be chosen so that the “intrinsic nature and purpose of the Mass may be more clearly manifested.” For the record, the Pontifical form is probably more ancient.]

b) Pia et actuosa fidelium participatio facilior reddatur, simplifying some things, Psalm 42, for example;

[The Tridentine Rite prescribed a recitation of Psalm 42, which had been used as preparation for Mass many centuries before the Council of Trent. However, Antonelli is here suggesting that “devout and active participation by the faithful” is impossible if Psalm 42 remains.]

c) ritus simpliciores fiant, for example some genuflections and many signs of the cross;

[In response to the Council’s desire that “the rites are to be simplified,” Antonelli suggests that some of the numerous genuflections could be eliminated, as well as the great number of times the Priest makes the sign of the Cross. In particular, some liturgists—especially those who possessed a very superficial understanding of the Sacraments—had a difficult time understanding why the Priest was required to make the sign of the Cross over the Sanctissimum, because no man can ever “bless” God. There is more that could be said about this, but it would be inappropriate to do so here.]

d) ea omittantur quae duplicatur fuerunt, for example, that the celebrant should have to say alone the parts sung by the deacon or subdeacon;

[Antonelli here reacts against those parts of the Tridentine liturgy where the priest “duplicates” the exact words prayed by the choir, congregation, deacon, or subdeacon. Pope Pius XII had already eliminated this duplication during the Gospel, as well as the sizable readings at the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday. For the record, it’s hard to see how it makes any difference to Catholics in the pews whether the Celebrant quietly recites prayers like the Gloria, Creed, and so on.]

e) restituantur nonnulla quae deciderunt, for example, the oratio fidelium.

[Antonelli was a huge fan of the “Prayer of the Faithful,” which some liturgists believe to be extremely ancient. There is an odd moment in the Tridentine Rite where the priest (after the Creed) turns around and sings «Orémus» but no prayer follows, and this might have been where the ancient “Prayer of the Faithful” happened. In another diary entry, Antonelli says the special prayers on Good Friday are vestiges of the “Prayer of the Faithful,” but scholars today disagree about this.]

Article 50 of the Constitution, which is very dense, lays down two indisputable conditions:

1. Ut substantia rituum servetur, in such a way that were St. Pius V or St. Gregory the Great to come back, they would be able to say that the Mass had substantially remained the same.

2. Ad pristinam sanctorum Patrum normam. This expression is taken from the Bull of Saint Pius V of 1570 on the Missal. It means that the entire revision must be carried out in accordance with the tradition of the Church.

Here’s a “key” to the Latin quotes:

Sacrosanctum Concilium

50. Ordo Missae ita recognoscatur, ut singularum partium propria ratio necnon mutua connexio clarius pateant, atque pia et actuosa fidelium participatio facilior reddatur.

Quamobrem ritus, probe servata eorum substantia, simpliciores fiant; ea omittantur quae temporum decursu duplicata fuerunt vel minus utiliter addita; restituantur vero ad pristinam sanctorum Patrum normam nonnulla quae temporum iniuria deciderunt, prout opportuna vel necessaria videantur.

Sacrosanctum Concilium

50. The rite of the Mass is to be revised in such a way that the intrinsic nature and purpose of its several parts, as also the connection between them, may be more clearly manifested, and that devout and active participation by the faithful may be more easily achieved.

For this purpose the rites are to be simplified, due care being taken to preserve their substance; elements which, with the passage of time, came to be duplicated, or were added with but little advantage, are now to be discarded; other elements which have suffered injury through accidents of history are now to be restored to the vigor which they had in the days of the holy Fathers, as may seem useful or necessary.

 


NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1   By the way, I’m amazed that Benedict’s astounding talk has not been made into a booklet yet.

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Annibale Bugnini Reform, Cardinal Ferdinando Giuseppe Antonelli OFM, Hymns Replacing Propers, Reform of the Reform Last Updated: October 19, 2022

Subscribe

It greatly helps us if you subscribe to our mailing list!

* indicates required

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).

Primary Sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    PDF Download • Draft Copy (Pamphlet)
    A few days ago, I posted a draft copy of this 12-page pamphlet with citations about the laity’s “full, conscious, and active participation.” Its basic point is that choir directors should never feel embarrassed to teach real choral music; Vatican II explicitly ordered them to do precisely that! We’ve received tons of mail regarding that pamphlet, with many excellent suggestions for improvement. Please feel free to chime in!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “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

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

“It is most important that when the faithful assist at the sacred ceremonies … they should sing alternately with the clergy or the choir, as it is prescribed.”

— ‘Pope Pius XI, Divini Cultus (20 Dec 1928) §9’

Recent Posts

  • PDF Download • Draft Copy (Pamphlet)
  • “Entrance Chant” • 23rd (Ordinary Time)
  • Weird Liturgical Kalendar …
  • Is ‘Chant’ a Generic Word for ‘Sing’ ? • No!
  • Catholic College (2025) Sings Vespers in SATB

Subscribe

Subscribe

* indicates required

Copyright © 2025 Corpus Christi Watershed · Isaac Jogues on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Corpus Christi Watershed is a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to exploring and embodying as our calling the relationship of religion, culture, and the arts. This non-profit organization employs the creative media in service of theology, the Church, and Christian culture for the enrichment and enjoyment of the public.