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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

Is this the “Proper” solution for you?

Dr. Alfred Calabrese · October 1, 2015

NTRODUCING THE PROPERS to a parish’s liturgies is a laudable goal. Accompanying the Entrance and Communion processions with Biblically-based antiphons alternating with psalm verses is so much more effective than just another ‘song’ which, as some like to say, “covers up the movement.” The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) gives four options for the Introit, Offertory, and Communion (GIRM 48, 87). The first option is the appointed chant from the Graduale Romanum and the second is from the Graduale Simplex. Much has been written in recent years about how to re-introduce chant into the Ordinary Form liturgy. Likewise, many wonderful musical resources have been made available, from new compilations and free on-line downloads to newly composed collections in both Latin and English. Many are based on chant. But what if you can’t use chant?

Without getting into the pros and cons of—or the style wars over—chant vs. no chant, let’s just assume that for whatever reason, it is not an option at this point in time to sing chant. Must the Proper be abandoned and replaced by another hymn? Very recently I’ve decided to try an experiment that may work in other parishes. Perhaps this is not a new idea, but it’s not something that I’ve run across, so here goes.

I looked at the Communion antiphons in all of the Ordinary Time Masses in the Graduale Simplex (in English, referencing By Flowing Waters by Dr. Paul F. Ford), and all the ad libitum Communion chants from the Graduale Romanum. Some of the texts leapt out at me. I wondered if I could use the texts of the actual antiphon, but within a musical language that was a little more, well, contemporary in style. I then wondered if I could keep the actual psalm verses assigned to that antiphon, set them in a way that is not Gregorian chant, but rather, in a still noble and at the same time familiar musical language. In short, could I maintain the intent of the musical structure of the Proper itself?

For example, in Mass III of the Graduale Simplex, the Communion chant is “Seek first the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 3:16). In place of a chant setting, I extracted the first eight measures of the contemporary hymn, “Seek Ye First,” (SEEK YE FIRST) by Karen Lafferty. Our people know it well and it is essentially the same text as found in the Graduale Simplex. This became the antiphon. Next, I set the psalm verses in one of the Gelineau tones in D major to create a simple, slightly tuneful, and accessible rendering of the verses. This past Sunday, as the Priest received the Sacrament, the organ played the first two measures of the ‘hymn’ as an incipit, the cantor sang through the eight-measure hymn/antiphon, and then repeated it with the people. They sang it! Verse one followed, repeat the antiphon, sing the rest of the verses, and we now have a ‘contemporary’ style Communion proper. Other possible antiphons are “Taste and See” (Gustate et videte, Ps. 34), “Where charity and love are present” (Ubi caritas), or the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55).

Is this an ideal and permanent solution? Probably not. I still hold fast to the idea that “all things being equal, Gregorian Chant holds pride of place.” And so it should. But being flexible and putting one’s own musical tastes on the back burner for a while is sometimes part of the job of being a Catholic music director. So is being a good teacher. So, if it’s important to sing approved texts instead of just another song, and if anyone is looking for noble simplicity, a way to introduce the idea of a Communion antiphon with its psalm verse, and a teaching tool that may well lead to the use of actual Gregorian chant propers, then perhaps this is a solution for you.

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

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Dr. Alfred Calabrese

Dr. Alfred Calabrese is Director of Music and Liturgy at St. Rita Catholic Church in Dallas, TX. He and his wife have two children.—(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    New Bulletin Article • “7 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 is called: “Professor Bouyer’s Regret.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Cardinal Ranjith on “Active Participation”
    From 2005–2009, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith served as Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. He was considered ‘papabile’ during the last conclave. On 8 December 2008, he wrote this powerful statement concerning Gregorian Chant, participatio actuosa, celebration “ad orientem,” and other subjects. When it comes to the question of what “sacred” means, Monsignor Robert A. Skeris provides a marvelous answer.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Music List” • 22nd in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 31 August 2025, which is the 22nd 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 spectacular feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    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
    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

Random Quote

“In case of urgent danger of life anyone may baptize, even a heretic or pagan. It is sufficient that he administer the essential matter and form and have the implicit intention of doing what Christ instituted. Naturally a Catholic must be preferred, if possible. A man is preferred to a woman; but anyone else to the parents.”

— Father Adrian Fortescue (1917)

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