Views from the Choir Loft

Epiphany Proclamation

Veronica Brandt · December 19, 2015

HEREBY ANNOUNCE THE RELEASE of the Proclamation of Moveable Feasts for 2016! You can download it here.

Many years ago (thirteen to be exact) the resident Parish Liturgical Experts gave me a manuscript to be typeset for the upcoming feast of the Epiphany. That was straightforward – the experts had done all the difficult part of arranging the words and music. I just typed it up.

In the following years, usually just after Midnight Mass, one Liturgical Expert would ask that dreaded question “Did you receive my email?” Then, on Christmas Day, I would take the words and fit them to the music to the best of my meagre ability.

It was not a thrilling job and I made sure the source code was available online for anyone else to take over from me, but still each year I was asked and each year I managed to put it together.

Then that particular Liturgical Expert passed away.

So now each Christmas I remember Mr Michael Pearce and fix up an Epiphany Proclamation, even though my local Latin Mass does not use it. Some years I have thought to let it slide only to be reminded by someone across the globe.

There is no compulsion to sing the Epiphany Proclamation or “de publicatione Festorum mobilium”. I have been told it is only for Cathedrals, but some parishes use it too. I am not a liturgical expert – I just type things up.

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

About Veronica Brandt

Veronica Brandt holds a Bachelor Degree in Electrical Engineering. She lives near Sydney, Australia, with her husband and six children.—(Read full biography).

“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

“The Worm That Dieth Not”

My pastor asked me to write a column for our parish bulletin with reflections on the sacred liturgy and church music. In my most recent article, I discuss “The Worm That Dieth Not.” At this website, you can access it conveniently; simply scroll down to the one dated 31 August 2025.

—Jeff Ostrowski

A Nice Hymn In Spanish

In my humble opinion, this is a really beautiful hymn in Spanish. If I practice diligently, I’ll be able to pronounce all the words properly. If you’re someone who’s interested in obtaining a melody only version (suitable for your congregational ORDER OF WORSHIP) you can steal that from this.

—Jeff Ostrowski

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