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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

Nixon, Watergate, & Singing The Mass Propers

Jeff Ostrowski · April 13, 2015

935 John Ehrlichman H. R. Haldeman OR MOST OF MY LIFE, I had no interest in the Watergate scandal, because I thought it was simply about a burglary. Why should I care about a 1970s burglary? Several months ago, I started learning more, and I must confess: I’m hooked. The whole thing is absolutely riveting. However, I can’t go into detail, because the topic is incredibly complicated and involves many characters.

Strong parallels exist between Watergate and our current situation with the Mass propers.

For instance, one of the most fascinating things about Watergate has nothing to do with illegal activity: it’s the disgusting language Nixon uses during the 3,700 hours of secretly recorded conversations. With the Mass propers, it’s not just that we constantly replace the propers in violation of current Church law. The fact is, what we replace the propers with is often offensive (musically & theologically), as Fr. Scalia correctly said.

Watergate was a huge deal at the time; yet, soon afterwards, it became innocuous. With the exception of G. Gordon Liddy, I don’t believe anyone involved served more than 2 years in prison. Liddy had a very successful post-prison life, thanks to his Watergate fame. Ehrlichman, Haldeman, Dean, Nixon, and many others made tons of money writing and speaking about Watergate.

In a similar way, when people first started to violate the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM), it was a big deal, and required machinations & careful manipulation on the part of some Church officials, I’m sorry to say. Friends of mine who remember those years tried to draw attention to the same violations—so many decades ago!—but their protests fell on deaf ears. At this point, such violations have become innocuous:

So what if the GIRM says the assigned texts can only be replaced by music specifically approved by the local bishop? Who cares? Everybody’s doing it! Why rock the boat?

I doubt that 95% of priests today even realize these violations occur in each Mass.

A major concern during the Watergate years had to do with the notion of justice. The President is the Chief Executive, and it seemed wrong for him to “get away” with breaking the law, while others are obliged to follow it. (The same thing bears on Spiro Agnew’s plea bargain.) Similarly, I cannot understand how some are happy to speak endlessly about “being faithful” to the teachings of the Second Vatican Council yet disregard important sections of the GIRM. If we can disregard section 48 of the GIRM, why not section 49? Why not 50? Why not 51? And so forth.

Speaking of inconsistencies, just look at the current treatment of the Responsorial Psalm! According to current legislation, the Responsorial Psalm can be replaced at any time by any other psalm, so long as it’s from an “approved” collection. 1 Yet, 97% of churches choose the ASSIGNED Responsorial Psalm; they do not replace it. In fact, replacing it never occurs to them! Yet, when it comes to the ancient propers of the Mass—whose usage Vatican II wanted to encourage and make accessible—these are almost always replaced, and often in violation of Church law.

Events surrounding Watergate never cease to captivate me. I was shocked to learn that, in the immediate aftermath of the shooting of Governor George Wallace, Nixon discussed the possibility of planting George McGovern items in the shooter’s house so people would think Wallace’s shooter was a supporter of McGovern. 2 Similarly, I continue to be amazed by little tidbits I come across, showing how the Mass propers were undermined by various parties, especially the big publishing companies.

One more parallel, before I call it a day. A major concern in Watergate was how Nixon’s people were bribing people to commit perjury. President Clinton also committed perjury, admitting the truth only after incontrovertible physical evidence was produced. Although I didn’t follow the Clinton trial—I was a young boy at that time—I remember hearing over and over again, “Who cares if the Chief Executive branch committed perjury? Nobody got hurt.” Such sentiments ultimately carried the day. However, a new generation of political analysts is currently reëvaluating the “nobody got hurt” angle in light of filmed testimony by members of the Arkansas State Police, Jones, Broaddrick, Willey, and a whole host of others.

Similarly, a new generation of priests is starting to reëvaluate what the GIRM says about the Mass propers. They are starting to reëxamine what Vatican II was aiming at. They are becoming aware of monumental books of the propers in English such as what Fr. Samuel Weber has created. How long will we continue to violate the clear requirements of the GIRM?

By the way, I just realized that Watergate was happening around the same time the Novus Ordo Missal was being introduced!



NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1   Even metrical settings are allowed!

2   Needless to say, Nixon was not the only politician to ever do wrong! In fact, much of what Nixon did pales in comparison to what we’re beginning to learn about presidents like JFK and FDR.

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: 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

    New Bulletin Article • “21 September 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 21 September 2025) discusses some theological items—supported by certain verses in ancient Catholic hymns—and ends by explaining why certain folks become delirious with jealousy when they observe feats by Monsignor Ronald Knox.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Cheap! Cheap! Cheap!
    It’s always amusing to see old diocesan newspapers—in huge capital letters—advertising the Cheapest Catholic Paper in the United States. The correspondent who sent this to me added: “I can think of certain composers, published by large companies in our own day, who could truthfully brag about the most tawdry compositions in the world!” I wonder what she could have meant by such a cryptic comment…
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • Dom Murray Harmonies
    Along with so many others, I have deep respect for Dom Gregory Gregory Murray, who produced this clever harmonization (PDF) of “O SANCTISSIMA.” It’s always amazed me that Dom Gregory—a truly inspired composer—was so confused when it came to GREGORIAN CHANT. Throughout his life, he published contradictory statements, veering back-and-forth like a weather vane. Toward the end of his life, he declared: “I see clearly that the need for reform in liturgical music arose, not in the 18th and 19th centuries, but a thousand years earlier—in the 8th and 9th centuries, or even before that. The abuses began, not with Mozart and Haydn, but with those over-enthusiastic medieval musicians who developed the elaborate and flamboyant Gregorian Chant.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Karl Keating • “Canonization Questions”
    We were sent an internet statement (screenshot) that’s garnered significant attention, in which KARL KEATING (founder of Catholic Answers) speaks about whether canonizations are infallible. Mr. Keating seems unaware that canonizations are—in the final analysis—a theological opinion. They are not infallible, as explained in this 2014 article by a priest (with a doctorate in theology) who worked for multiple popes. Mr. Keating says: “I’m unaware of such claims arising from any quarter until several recent popes disliked by these Traditionalists were canonized, including John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul II. Usually Paul VI receives the most opprobrium.” Mr. Keating is incorrect; e.g. Father John Vianney, several centuries ago, taught clearly that canonizations are not infallible. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen would be another example, although clearly much more recent than Saint John Vianney.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Vatican II Changed Wedding Propers?
    It’s often claimed that the wedding propers were changed after Vatican II. As a matter of fact, that is a false claim. The EDITIO VATICANA propers (Introit: Deus Israel) remained the same after Vatican II. However, a new set of propers (Introit: Ecce Deus) was provided for optional use. The same holds true for the feast of Pope Saint Gregory the Great on 3 September: the 1943 propers (Introit: Si díligis me) were provided for optional use, but the traditional PROPRIA MISSAE (Introit: Sacerdótes Dei) were retained; they weren’t gotten rid of. The Ordo Cantus Missae (1970) makes this crystal clear, as does the Missal itself. There was an effort made in the post-conciliar years to eliminate so-called “Neo-Gregorian” chants, but (contrary to popular belief) most were retained: cf. the feast of Christ the King, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, and so forth.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    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

Random Quote

“We cannot approve of the attitude of those who use the problems raised and discussed by the Council to create in themselves and in others an attitude of unrest and a desire for radical reformation, as if the Council gives every private opinion a chance to destroy the heritage of the Church. acquired during Her many centuries of history and experience.”

— Pope Paul VI (30 June 1965)

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