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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

Why It’s Pointless To Argue Over Our Roman Missal Translation

Jeff Ostrowski · July 27, 2015

466 ICEL Missal EADING COMMENTARY by the early liturgical translators can be infuriating, because many acted as though they were the first to realize that good translators render ideas not words. In their immaturity, they carefully avoided choosing words and phrases resembling the Latin. When all was said and done, their “translations” often looked like this one:

    * *  PDF Download • COMPARISON CHART

This is not to suggest that a “slavish adherence” guarantees a better translation. Moreover, I have no problem with translators taking a free approach if their goal is truly to help people understand—but they must avoid doing too much violence to the original. Therein lies the dilemma, of course, and that’s why the famous Italian phrase (“the translator is a traitor”) contains so much wisdom.

It’s not for me to argue about whether new translation (“MR3”) is more accurate; others can judge that. However, I would point out that MR3 was ultimately inevitable. 1 When the internet was invented, the official Latin became accessible by all—and the old ICEL simply could not stand.

BUT NONE OF THIS MATTERS. The real scandal is how 99% of our Catholic churches replace the official texts of the Church each Sunday. If you start talking about the Propers, most Catholics have no idea what you mean. My generation has never heard the Propers.

With what do we replace the Propers? Texts are supposed to be “approved,” but the USCCB—incredibly!—has said we can ignore the GIRM when it mentions such requirements. When I open my brand new GIA hymnal (2013), I find lyrics like the following:

We have covered earth in shadows, and sorrow thickens its veil.
Peoples stunned in desolation weep softly, tremble, and wail:
Children who die still as children; poor deprived of sun and air;
Women forced to sell their bodies in desperation and fear.

Others can judge whether this is a good hymn. Others can judge whether “air” rhymes with “fear.” Others can judge whether it feels weird for a congregation to publicly sing about “women forced to sell their bodies” in church. It’s not for me to judge such things. My only point is that it’s silly for folks to argue vehemently about liturgical translation principles when 99% of the Propers are being replaced 95% of the time.

One of the reasons I’ve mentioned the Jogues Illuminated Missal so frequently has to do with its large, beautiful typeface. The Propers are celebrated. When we complain about goofy modern hymns, we sound negative and filled with hate. Showing someone the pages of the Jogues is different—it’s a positive approach. It challenges people by asking, “What is so unacceptable about the official texts of the reformed liturgy?”



NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1   The early ICEL translations would never have been tolerated if the Vatican declaration (26 September 1964) had been obeyed:

“Missals to be used in the liturgy, however, shall contain besides the vernacular version the Latin text as well.”

But in 1969, Archbishop Bugnini’s group overruled the Vatican directives.

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Reform of the 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

    “Music List” • 29th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 19 October 2025, which is the 29th 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 sensational feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Liturgical Round (“Canon”) in C-Major
    Those who direct children’s choirs are always on the lookout for repertoire that’s dignified, inspired, and pleasing—yet still within reach of young choristers. Such directors will want to investigate this haunting liturgical round (PDF download) which has been married to the KYRIE from Mass VI (EDITIO VATICANA). I have provided an accompaniment, but it’s only for use during rehearsal; i.e. when teaching this round to your choristers. I also provided an organ accompaniment for the KYRIE—which some know by its trope (Kyrie Rex Genitor)—so that your congregation can take part when this round is used as a choral extension during Mass.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Latin Liturgy Association
    We note with pleasure that Mrs. Regina Morris, president of the Latin Liturgy Association, has featured—on page 4 of Volume CXXIX of their official newsletter—the three (3) terrific versions of the Stations of the Cross found in the Brébeuf Hymnal. One of the main authors for the blog of the Church Music Association of America said (6/10/2019) about this pew book: “It is such a fantastic hymnal that it deserves to be in the pews of every Catholic church.”
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

    New Bulletin Article • “12 October 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 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
    The American Catholic Hymnal, with IMPRIMATUR granted (25 April 1991) by the Archdiocese of Chicago, is like a compendium of every horrible idea from the 1980s. Imagine being forced to stand all through Communion (even afterwards) when those self-same ‘enlightened’ liturgists moved the SEQUENCE before the Alleluia to make sure congregations wouldn’t have to stand during it. (Even worse, everything about the SEQUENCE—including its name—means it should follow the Alleluia.) And imagine endlessly repeating “Alleluia” during Holy Communion at every single Mass. It was all part of an effort to convince people that Holy Communion was historically a procession (which it wasn’t).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Fifty years ago, Dr. Theodore Marier made available this clever arrangement (PDF) of “Come down, O love divine” by P. R. Dietterich. The melody was composed in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (d. 1958) and named in honor of of his birthplace: DOWN AMPNEY. The arrangement isn’t a strict canon, but it does remind one of a canon since the pipe organ employs “points of imitation.” The melody and text are #709 in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“A father cannot introduce mistrust and division among his faithful children. He cannot humiliate some by setting them against others. He cannot ostracize some of his priests. The peace and unity that the Church claims to offer to the world must first be lived within the Church. ”

— Cardinal Sarah (14 August 2021)

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