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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

What Will ICEL Do Next?

Fr. David Friel · November 23, 2014

HE NAME of Msgr. Andrew Wadsworth is likely familiar to anyone who reads Views from the Choir Loft. He presently serves as Executive Director of the International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL) and is one of the founding members of the new Oratory in Washington, D.C. Msgr. Wadsworth is originally a priest of the Diocese of Westminster (London, UK) and is a friend to anyone working for the authentic renewal of the sacred liturgy.

In his work with ICEL, Monsignor was instrumental in the production of the Third Edition of the Roman Missal that was implemented in 2011 (and which I have commented upon HERE). This past summer, he was invited to give the Hillenbrand Distinguished Lecture at the Liturgical Institute at Saint Mary of the Lake (Mundelein), during which he gave a sort of status update on the present focus of ICEL’s effort. This lecture was published in the September issue of Adoremus Bulletin, available HERE.

The article explains that ICEL is now working on new translations for the following liturgical texts:

The Rite of Confirmation

The Order of Celebrating Marriage

The Order of the Dedication of a Church and an Altar

Exorcism and Related Supplications

The Supplement to the Liturgy of the Hours

Some of these texts received attention during this month’s meeting of the US Bishops in Washington.

Additionally, Msgr. Wadsworth gives details on the request of the USCCB for assistance in producing a revised version of the Liturgy of the Hours. Among the LOH components to be retranslated by ICEL are the following:

The complete selection of hymns as found in the Liturgia Horarum

Magnificat and Benedictus antiphons for Sundays of the 3-year cycle

Intercessions

Orations from the 4-week psalter

The Te Deum

Marian antiphons for use at Compline

If you are interested in learning more about what will be coming our way in the next few years, I encourage you to read this informative article. The author is a good priest we are so fortunate to have directing the work of ICEL.

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Compline, ICEL New Translation of the Roman Missal, Reform of the Reform, Roman Missal Third Edition, USCCB Secretariat of Divine Worship Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Fr. David Friel

Ordained in 2011, Father Friel is a priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and serves as Director of Liturgy at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary. —(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    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) 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
    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
    “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

    “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
    Did they simplify these hymn harmonies?
    Choirs love to sing the famous & splendid tune called “INNSBRUCK.” Looking through a (Roman Catholic) German hymnal printed in 1952, I discovered what appears to be a simplified version of that hymn. In other words, their harmonization is much less complex than the version found in the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal (which is suitable for singing by SATB choir). Please download their 1952 harmonization (PDF) and let me know your thoughts. I really like the groovy Germanic INTRODUCTION they added.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“Although some may not understand what is being sung, they understand why it is being sung, that is, for the praise of God, and this is enough, even if the faithful do not strictly speaking sing in order to rouse their devotion.”

— Saint Thomas Aquinas

Recent Posts

  • Why A “Fugue” Here?
  • “Three Reasons To Shun Bad Hymns” • Daniel B. Marshall
  • “Puzzling Comment” • By A Respected FSSP Priest
  • New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
  • “Reminder” — Month of October (2025)

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