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.”

Views from the Choir Loft

It Has Arrived! • “Proper of the Mass” (Ignatius)

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944 Weber Propers Missal Gradual VER A PERIOD of weeks, we’ve discussed the current system of replacing assigned Mass texts in the Ordinary Form, which violates liturgical law. 1 Priests wishing to allow their congregations to pray the actual prayers of the Mass have a solution in the Jogues Lectionary, the only pew book containing the full Vatican II propers in Latin & English.

But what about the music?

Many parishes use the Lalemant Propers (very simple); Simple English Propers (fairly simple); or Graduale Parvum (simple). 2 Yet, when it comes to Ordinary Form propers, we need as many options as possible, and a fantastic book appeared today:

* *  PROPER OF THE MASS — 1,292 page book

I won’t reproduce the descriptions given there, but please notice that Fr. Weber’s book provides multiple settings for each chant. Below are audio samples demonstrating a “simpler” setting and a “complex” setting of the same Entrance chant. If you’re familiar with the ancient Latin version (“Judica Me”) you will notice that Fr. Weber’s version sounds quite similar:

Simpler Setting:   YouTube   •   Mp3 File

Complex Setting:   YouTube   •   Mp3 File

I ordered my copy today; when it arrives, I hope to write a comprehensive review of Fr. Weber’s masterpiece.

Proper of the Mass: Entrance, Offertory and Communion Antiphons for Sundays and Solemnities (Benedict XVI Institute, 19 March 2014)

*** UPDATES :

Lovely images of this book can now be viewed.

Andrew R. Motyka has posted a beautiful review of this book.

 

HIGHLY RECOMMEND this new English Gradual to anyone who wants to sing the proper antiphons on a regular basis and is looking for very accessible, yet most beautiful chant in the vernacular. We cannot thank Fr. Samuel Weber enough for all his hard work, a true labor of love and dedication to liturgy and the Church. I am most confident that this new Gradual will become a standard work and hopefully find a home in many parishes.

—Dr. Horst Buchholz (Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis, MO)

 

 


NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1   Daniel Craig’s landmark article presents important documentation from the USCCB which—although it dates from a few years ago—is still pertinent.

2   Even more options, along with audio samples, can be found here.

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

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