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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

Elvis Presley, Offertory Processions, & “Alius Cantus”

Jeff Ostrowski · February 2, 2015

384 Offertory Procession 1940s ACK IN 2013, we uploaded the complete 1965 Missal, which has generated a considerable amount of interest among those seeking to understand the reformed rites. I was recently made aware of an incredible video which shows an “Offertory Procession” from the 1960s:

      * *  Video • Elvis Presley & 1965 Missal

I’m not kidding. Click the link to see for yourself.

If you scroll down, you’ll see that Offertory processions and “versus populum” were started before the 1960s in some locations. Progressive liturgists of the 1940s justified processions at the Offertory because “the rubrics don’t specifically say they cannot be done.” However, when today’s priests try to reintroduce more traditional practices by means of “mutual enrichment,” these same liturgists complain. A double standard appears to be at work…

In any event, I would say three things about this video: *

1. A most destructive force at work after the Second Vatican Council has been a “loophole” which allows musicians to substitute alius cantus congruus (“anything else appropriate”) for the official Propers assigned by the Church. Only recently have books such as the Jogues Pew Missal made the official texts accessible to congregations. Hopefully more parishes will consider using these assigned texts (in English or Latin).

2. People justify alius cantus congruus in the name of “people participating at Mass.” They fail to realize that when you replace the official texts and sing something else—like Elvis did in that video—you’re no longer participating at Mass the way the Vatican II fathers desired.

3. Everything says something. Everything. If we eliminate the Mass Propers, we must replace them with something. Therefore, we cannot fault Elvis for what he did in that video.

376 Facing the People 1954 377 Facing the People 1965 378 Facing the People 1947 379 Facing the People 1965

P.S.

Based on a quick Google search, I assume the video clip comes from a movie I’ve never seen called Change of Habit. Obviously, a film is not real, but in this case, it gives us a glimpse into what was happening in some Catholic Churches during the 1960s.




NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

*   Regarding number 1, the GIRM says any substitute texts must be approved by the local bishop. The USCCB Committee on the Liturgy—in clear contradiction to the GIRM—declared that this requirement can be ignored. However, several Canonists have said the USCCB does not have the power to overrule the GIRM, and official replies by the Pontifical Commission for the Interpretation of the Code of Canon Law support this view.

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: 1965 Missal, Hymns Replacing Propers 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

    A Nice Hymn In Spanish
    In my humble opinion, this is a really beautiful hymn in Spanish. If I practice diligently, I’ll be able to pronounce all the words properly. If you’re someone who’s interested in obtaining a melody only version (suitable for your congregational ORDER OF WORSHIP) you can steal that from this.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Music List” • 21st in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Our choir returns on Sunday, 24 August 2025. Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for it, which is the 21st 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. When it comes to the feast of the Assumption (15 August 2025), I have uploaded the music list for that Mass—but not the “bi-lingual” Mass in the evening (Spanish, Latin, and English) which has completely different music.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Entrance Chant” • 21st Sunday Ordin. Time
    You can download the ENTRANCE ANTIPHON in English for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) which is coming up on 24 August 2025. Corresponding to the vocalist score is this free organ accompaniment. It’s set in a melancholy mode, but if you heard my choir’s female voices singing it your soul would be uplifted beyond belief. If you’re someone who enjoys rehearsal videos, this morning I tried to sing it while simultaneously accompanying my voice on the pipe organ.
    —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

“After a discussion lasting several days, in which arguments for and against were discussed, the Council fathers came to the clear conclusion—wholly in agreement with the Council of Trent—that Latin must be retained as the language of cult in the Latin rite, although exceptional cases were possible and even welcome.”

— Alfons Cardinal Stickler, Vatican II ‘peritus’

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