• 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
    • Repository • “Spanish Music”
    • KYRIALE • Saint Antoine Daniel
    • Campion Missal, 3rd Edition
  • 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
    • Feasts Website
  • 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

A self-fulfilling prophecy and why we don’t sing the Creed

Richard J. Clark · November 28, 2014

HOPE THE TIDE IS TURNING. I believe it is. But still how many times have we heard: “We shouldn’t use that because nobody can sing it”? This reasoning is often applied to various chants, (if not all chants), especially in Latin. Startlingly, I’ve heard this in reference to the simplest of chants, including Ubi Caritas and Missa XVIII or the ICEL Chants based on such. The logic of avoiding chant is justified by its very neglect, so therefore we must avoid it even further.

This is a self-fulfilling prophecy, is it not? Don’t sing something because it won’t yield instant external results. Of course, the people won’t sing something that’s been neglected for decades. Shall we pound the nail into the coffin ever deeper by continuing the status quo? Or shall we do the hard work required to preserve and foster our treasure of sacred music with great care as Vatican II demands? (Sacrosanctum Concilium §114) Additionally, Sacrosanctum Concilium §115 states: “Great importance is to be attached to the teaching and practice of music in seminaries, in the novitiates and houses of study of religious of both sexes, and also in other Catholic institutions and schools. To impart this instruction, teachers are to be carefully trained and put in charge of the teaching of sacred music.”

Furthermore, the 2007 US Bishop’s document Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship (SttL) states:

75. Each worshiping community in the United States, including all age groups and all ethnic groups, should, at a minimum, learn Kyrie XVI, Sanctus XVIII, and Agnus Dei XVIII, all of which are typically included in congregational worship aids. More difficult chants, such as Gloria VIII and settings of the Credo and Pater Noster, might be learned after the easier chants have been mastered.

The document also encourages:

132. “…one should never underestimate the ability of persons of all ages, cultures, languages, and levels of education to learn something new and to understand things that are properly and thoroughly introduced.

ITH REGARD TO THE CREED, not singing it is a bit more curious. Why do we not sing what we profess to believe? This is arguably one of the most important liturgical actions of the mass and therefore demands “greater solemnity.” (“…sacred music is to be considered the more holy in proportion as it is more closely connected with the liturgical action…” S.C., §112. )

However, it is lengthy and perhaps intimidating to some. But my feeling is that the impediment at this time is more cultural than musical: For example, Anglo-Catholics would rarely consider not singing the Creed. They sing it every week, usually the same setting and in English, so to them it’s musically easy. It is part of their culture.

And it used to be part of ours. It still is in some pockets. But forget the complaining and let’s take stock of where we are now. How can singing the Creed become a regular part of the liturgy once again?

1 • Heed the direction of SttL §75 & §132 (above), with special attention that music and concepts in liturgy be “properly and thoroughly introduced.”

2 • Pick only one setting of the Creed and sing it every week. Would one expect a Gloria, no less a Credo, to be learned by a congregation in just one or two weeks or with sporadic use? This will take time and patience. It will not yield instant results.

3 • We must catechize: Why sing the Creed at all? Because it is an extraordinarily important liturgical action of the priest and congregation together. Its purpose is “…that the whole gathered people may respond to the Word of God proclaimed in the readings taken from Sacred Scripture…and that they may also honor and confess the great mysteries of the faith…” (GIRM §67) Singing brings about a fully active response to the Liturgy of the Word. Confessing the great mysteries of our faith is greatly enhanced by the marriage of melody and word. Music often expresses the mysteries that words alone cannot.

RECENTLY HAD A REVEALING CONVERSATION with my mother. She grew up in the 1930s and 40s in a parish in New York City where they sang the Credo every week. Remarkably, she said, “It’s easy,” as she sang the Credo III from memory. She hasn’t sung it in over fifty years. (Not a professional musician, she was a school teacher in NYC.) Who today would say singing “Credo III” is easy? Anyone who grew up singing it every week. It was normative. Not controversial. Easy.

Can we ever get there again? Perhaps not anytime soon for most parishes, but yes for those with vision and courage. Consider that with the new ICEL Chants, the leap is no longer so great. The ICEL version of Credo I is not at all intimidating when one experiences its repeated phrases. Also, singing it in English may reduce anxiety for some pastors who may consider taking the leap:

      * *   There’s also the ICEL version of Credo III, here although I suspect this one is still easier in Latin.

Need an accompaniment? Here they are for free from ICEL:
      * *  ICEL Chant, Credo I | Organ Accompaniment | • Roman Missal, Third Edition
      * *  ICEL Chant, Credo III | Organ Accompaniment | • Roman Missal, Third Edition

      * *  Or try Jeff Ostrowski’s gorgeous St. Felix Creed with free scores.

      * *  Or an SATB Creed from the Mass of the Angels | Gary Penkala’s description here:

“The Credo can be handled responsorially, with the congregation singing the opening phrase of Credo III, “Credo in unum Deum,” accompanied by organ, as a refrain. The cantor (unison) or choir (SATB) would then sing eight verses, in pairs, to a recurring pattern, with a refrain after each pair of verses. The congregation also may sing the full text to the recurring pattern. The movement ends with the Amen music from Credo III.”

It takes fortitude to try to sing a Credo every week. But in time, it should bear much fruit. My prayers are with you!

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Musical Setting of the Creed, Singing the Credo, Singing the Mass Last Updated: January 1, 2020

Subscribe

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

* indicates required

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).

Primary Sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Liturgical Round (“Canon”) in C-Major
    Those who direct children’s choirs are always on the lookout for repertoire that’s dignified, inspired, and pleasing—yet still within reach of young choristers. Such directors will want to investigate this haunting liturgical round (PDF download) which has been married to the KYRIE from Mass VI (EDITIO VATICANA). I have provided an accompaniment, but it’s only for use during rehearsal; i.e. when teaching this round to your choristers. I also provided an organ accompaniment for the KYRIE—which some know by its trope (Kyrie Rex Genitor)—so that your congregation can take part when this round is used as a choral extension during Mass.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Latin Liturgy Association
    We note with pleasure that Mrs. Regina Morris, president of the Latin Liturgy Association, has featured—on page 4 of Volume CXXIX of their official newsletter—the three (3) terrific versions of the Stations of the Cross found in the Brébeuf Hymnal. One of the main authors for the blog of the Church Music Association of America said (6/10/2019) about this pew book: “It is such a fantastic hymnal that it deserves to be in the pews of every Catholic church.”
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Music List” • 28th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 12 October 2025, which is the 28th 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 dazzling feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    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
    “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

Random Quote

“Place the missal in the hand of the faithful so that they may take part more easily and more fruitfully in the Mass; and that they faithful, united with the priest, may pray together in the very words and sentiments of the Church.”

— Ven. Pope Pius XII

Recent Posts

  • Children’s Repertoire • Three More Recommendations by Keven Smith
  • Liturgical Round (“Canon”) in C-Major
  • PDF Download • Liturgical Round (“Canon”) for your Children’s Choir
  • Latin Liturgy Association
  • Important Quote by a Church Musician

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.