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Views from the Choir Loft

In This Regard, The EF Cannot Compare To The OF

Jeff Ostrowski · May 1, 2015

N THE ORDINARY FORM, the “sung propers” don’t always match the “spoken propers.” In this regard, the EF cannot compare to the OF. However, some trivial differences do exist between the “sung” and “spoken” versions in the Extraordinary Form.

For example, the “spoken form” is CUM VENERIT:

841 Cum Venerit Paraclitus


However, the “sung version” in the Graduale—which often comes from a more ancient version called the Itala—has DUM VENERIT:

840 Dum Venerit


That’s the Communion for this Sunday. If you look at the Offertory verses for last Sunday, you’ll notice three possible versions:

Carl Ott’s Offertoriale: “Qui custodit veritatem in saeculum; faciet judicium injuriam patientibus; dat escam esurientibus.”

Rupert Fischer’s Offertoriale: “Qui custodit veritatem in saeculum; faciens judicium injuriam patientibus; dat escam esurientibus.”

St. Jerome’s Vulgata: “Qui custodit veritatem in saeculum; facit judicium injuriam patientibus; dat escam esurientibus.”

They all mean basically the same thing:

«Who will execute judgment for them that suffer wrong.»

«Who is executing judgment for them that suffer wrong.»

«Who executes judgment for them that suffer wrong.»

To view a meme about sung vs. spoken, click here.

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Sung Vs Spoken Propers Novus Ordo 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 Los Angeles.—(Read full biography).

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Quick Thoughts

PDF Download • Trinity Sunday (22 pages)

Feel free to download this Organ Accompaniment Booklet for Trinity Sunday (Second Vespers). Notice how the modes progress by number. Psalm 1 is mode 1; Psalm 2 is mode 2; Psalm 3 is mode 3; Psalm 4 is mode 4; Psalm 5 is mode 5. I am told by an expert that other feasts (such as Corpus Christi) are likewise organized by mode, and it’s called a “numerical office.”

—Jeff Ostrowski
10 June 2022 • “Official” rhythm of plainsong

I continue to search for the most beautiful way to present the “pure” Editio Vaticana scores. (Technically, the “pure” rhythm of the official edition is what everyone is supposed to use.) You can download my latest attempt, which is the Introit for this coming Sunday: Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. Because this is not an ancient feast, the Introit had to be adapted (perhaps around 750AD). Prior Johner says the adaptation is “not an entirely happy one.”

—Jeff Ostrowski
7 June 2022 • FEEDBACK

From Chelan, Washington: “CCWatershed is a God-sent resource that I can’t function without! Such great work by the team to bring beauty back to our liturgy!” From Gainesville, Florida: “I am so appreciative of the work, of my brothers and sisters in music!” From Troutman, North Carolina: “Keep up the excellent work in service of the Liturgy!”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

I feel the greatest destroyer of peace today is abortion, because it is a direct war, a direct killing—direct murder by the mother herself. And we read in the Scripture, for God says very clearly: “Even if a mother could forget her child, I will not forget you: I have carved you in the palm of my hand.”

— Mother Theresa (11 Dec 1979)

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