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Views from the Choir Loft

Annibale Bugnini’s Commentary (June 1967)

Jeff Ostrowski · July 2, 2015

570 Hannibal Bugnini IMAGE HEN I FIRST READ Annibale Bugnini’s massive book, “The Reform of the Liturgy,” I recall being struck by his polemical—almost petulant—tone. It was as if all his pent-up ire finally had an opportunity to be released, and he reserved special contempt for one of the heroes of sacred music, Msgr. Johannes Overath. For Bugnini, there was no such thing as a valid criticism or suggestion; these were labeled as “attacks” (a word he uses constantly throughout the 974 pages of his book).

The tone is quite different this 1967 document in which Bugnini reflects on Tres Abhinc Annos (a.k.a. “The Second Instruction”) promulgated on 4 May 1967:

    * *  PDF • Commentary on TRES ABHINC ANNOS

This document is unimportant—since massive liturgical changes came two years later—but what’s interesting is Bugnini’s euphoric tone and overstated claims about liturgical changes. His testimony is 100% at odds with what I’ve been told by priests and laymen who experienced the reforms of the 1960s, yet Bugnini claims the changes have “been received everywhere with great satisfaction.” For instance:

The faithful everywhere have responded generously, and have greeted the “new” liturgy with great joy. There can be no doubt that interest in the liturgy has increased…

The recent “Second Instruction” on liturgical modifications has been received everywhere with great satisfaction and…with a spirit of joy…

Yet, you can see from his commentary that he desires more. For instance:

Our experience of the vernacular, and of celebrations versus populum, has shown that certain particular ceremonies are no longer of use; they can easily be changed, without altering the present liturgical books, in harmony with the guidelines of the renewal.

It’s also important to read Cardinal Antonelli’s testimony regarding Archbishop Bugnini.

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Annibale Bugnini Reform 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

    Bugnini’s Statement (6 November 1966)
    With each passing day, more is revealed about how the enemies of the liturgy accomplished their goals. For instance, Hannibal Bugnini deeply resented the way Vatican II said Gregorian Chant “must be given first place in liturgical services.” On 6 November 1966, his cadre wrote a letter attempting to justify the elimination of Gregorian Chant with this brazen statement: “What really gives a Mass its tone is not so much the songs as it is the prayers and readings.” Bugnini’s cadre then attacked the very heart of Gregorian Chant (viz. the Proprium Missae), bemoaning how the Proprium Missae “is completely new each Sunday and feast day.” There is much more to be said about this topic. Stay tuned.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Luis Martínez Must Go!
    Sevilla Cathedral (entry dated 13 December 1564): The chapter orders Luis Martínez, a cathedral chaplain, to stay away from the choirbook-stand when the rest of the singers gather around it to sing polyphony—the reason being that “he throws the others out of tune.” [Excerpt from “The Life of Father Francisco Guerrero.”]
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Urgent! • We Desperately Need Funds!
    A few days ago, the president of Corpus Christi Watershed posted this urgent appeal for funds. Please help us make sure we’re never forced to place our content behind a paywall. We feel it’s crucial that 100% of our content remains free to everyone. We’re a tiny 501(c)3 public charity, entirely dependent upon the generosity of small donors. We have no endowment and no major donors. We run no advertisements and have no savings. We beg you to consider donating $4.00 per month. Thank you!
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    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
    Antiphons Don’t Match?
    A reader wants to know why the Entrance and Communion antiphons in certain publications deviate from what’s prescribed by the GRADUALE ROMANUM published after Vatican II. Click here to read our answer. The short answer is: the Adalbert Propers were never intended to be sung. They were intended for private Masses only (or Masses without music). The “Graduale Parvum,” published by the John Henry Newman Institute of Liturgical Music in 2023, mostly uses the Adalbert Propers—but sometimes uses the GRADUALE text: e.g. Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (29 June).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“Many of those who have influenced the reform […] have no love, and no veneration of that which has been handed down to us. They begin by despising everything that is actually there.”

— Cardinal Antonelli (Peritus during the Second Vatican Council)

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