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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 Must Be Sung Is The Mass” • Susan Benofy

Jeff Ostrowski · February 16, 2015

274 St. Isaac Jogues Illuminated Missal, Lectionary, & Gradual USAN BENOFY of Adoremus Bulletin published an article for the February 2015 edition called: What Must Be Sung Is The Mass. She begins with an important quote from Bugnini’s Consilium about the importance of singing the Propers. She continues:

“For decades there were virtually no musical settings for the Propers in English. And some of the Proper texts still have no officially approved English translation. In the last few years, however, there has been increasing interest in setting the Proper texts to music.”

In her article, Susan includes information about the Jogues Illuminated Missal. Here’s some of what she wrote:

• The Ordinary of the Mass in English and Latin set in parallel columns. This section also contains a large number of full-color illustrations: reproductions of ancient manuscripts of the text and music of the Mass, sacred art, and photographs of various moments in the Mass.

• Readings from the Lectionary for years A, B, and C are included (in English).

• Texts of the processional chants (Introit, Offertory, and Communion) from the Graduale Romanum in both Latin and English. The English text is taken from the Gregorian Missal translation.   [Note: For important reasons.]

• Texts of the chants between the readings are given in both the older and newer forms. The Gradual and Alleluia (or Tract) are given in both Latin and English (Gregorian Missal translation). In addition the Responsorial Psalm (with musical notation for the people’s response) and Alleluia or alternate acclamation used in Lent from the US Lectionary are given in English. Musical settings and organ accompaniment for the Responsorial Psalms and Gospel acclamations can be downloaded or ordered at the website.

• Sequences for Easter, Pentecost, and Corpus Christi are given with the Propers for the day in an English metric text with musical setting. The Latin and a literal translation are given in an Appendix. Musical notation for the Latin text of the Pange Lingua is given in the Holy Thursday section.

• Finally, the text of Benediction for the Blessed Sacrament is included with musical notation for the O Salutaris and the Tantum Ergo. A musical setting of the Ordinary of the Mass is given.


I HESITATE to say anything negative about Susan’s article, but she could have added more resources by visiting this website. Moreover, she said the following about the Revised Grail:

On November 11, 2008, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops approved the Conception Abbey Revised Grail Psalms for use in future editions of US liturgical books, including the Lectionary.

That’s not accurate according to what I’ve been told. It turns out the Revised Grail is going to be revised again! So all the books that currently use that translation—such as GIA Worship IV—are doubtless regretting their effort to get “ahead of the curve.” The question is, what will they call the new version? The “twice revised” Grail? Very confusing.

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Jogues Illuminated Missal Lectionary Gradual 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 Michigan. —(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    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’ with regard to 1960s switch to 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
    “Music List” • 27th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 5 October 2025, which is the 27th 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 spectacular feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin. Readers will want to check out the ENTRANCE CHANT posted there, which has a haunting melody (in the DEUTERUS MODE) and extremely powerful text.
    —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

“Père Joseph Gelineau represented everything that had gone wrong with the Church since the new liturgists had gained control.”

— Jean Langlais

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