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Views from the Choir Loft

Bishop Doerfler’s Stunning Church Music Letter

Jeff Ostrowski · March 31, 2016

The following was promulgated by Most Rev’d JOHN F. DOERFLER (Bishop of Marquette, Michigan) on 26 January 2016:

624 Bishop John F. Doerfler of Marquette, Michigan

HE PSALMS from the Old Testament give witness to the human expression of faith through Sacred Music that manifests the beauty of God. It is our joy to give God the best, most beautiful musical expression that we can offer him as we sing the Mass.

My illustrious predecessor, the Most Reverend Alexander K. Sample, wrote eloquently regarding Sacred Music in his pastoral letter entitled, Rejoice in the Lord Always. The teaching and directives given therein remain in effect, although he acknowledged that the implementation of the directives would take some time and catechesis.

Therefore, to build upon the foundation laid by my predecessor, I hereby issue this INSTRUCTION ON SACRED MUSIC IN DIVINE WORSHIP to elucidate the steps to be taken to promote Sacred Music in the Diocese of Marquette over the next five years. The following easy steps can be taken by the smallest parishes in the diocese. Thus, all parishes and schools are to have implemented the following directives by December 31, 2020.

1. All parishes and schools will learn to chant the Ordinary parts of the Mass in English that are found in the Roman Missal, and they will be sung by the congregation some of the time throughout the year.

2. All parishes and schools will learn to chant the KYRIE, SANCTUS and AGNUS DEI from the Missa lubilate Deo, and they will be sung by the congregation some of the time throughout the year.

3. All parishes and schools will learn to chant the Communion Antiphon in English to a very simple tone that everyone can sing, and the Communion Antiphon will be sung at every Sunday Mass. A hymn may be sung after the Communion Antiphon while the congregation is receiving the Blessed Sacrament.

4. A Diocesan Hymnal will be used to ensure the musical quality and doctrinal integrity of the Sacred Music. The hymnal will include a broad repertoire of hymns from classical to contemporary.

a. It is projected that the hymnal may be ready to implement on the first Sunday of Advent, 2017. Once the diocesan hymnal is implemented, no other hymnal may be used.

b. Effective immediately, no other hymnal may be purchased.

c. To assist with the cost, the diocese will purchase the hymnals, and the parishes will reimburse the diocese for the cost over a period of three years. Over time, this will amount to a significant cost savings to the parishes in comparison to the annual disposable music resources.

d. It is acknowledged that some parishes have recently purchased hymnals. In these cases, a singular provision will be made for each parish. To assist with the planning and implementation of the diocesan hymnal, the pastors of these parishes are to request this special provision from the Diocesan Bishop in writing no later than April 30, 2016. In making the request, please indicate the hymnal that was purchased, the purchase date, the total number of hymnals purchased, the cost and any other relevant information, such as whether the hymnals were donated, etc.

e. Parishes may recommend hymns to be included in the diocesan hymnal, with the understanding that not all recommendations might be accommodated due to space limitations or to ensure doctrinal integrity. To facilitate this process, pastors are to submit all hymn recommendations to the Diocesan Director of Sacred Music no later than April 30, 2016.

f. Once the diocesan hymnal is implemented, permission may be requested from the Diocesan Bishop to utilize new Sacred Music for congregational singing that is published subsequent to the implementation of the diocesan hymnal.

g. Once the diocesan hymnal is implemented, permission may be requested from the Diocesan Bishop to use choral settings that are not for congregational singing and are not in the diocesan hymnal.

h. More information regarding the hymnal and its implementation will be made available as it is developed.

5. The Diocesan Director of Sacred Music will provide annual, regional workshops for parish musicians to assist them in the implementation of these directives. He will also assist music teachers in Catholic schools to implement Sacred Music in the school curriculum and at school Masses. Finally, he stands at the service of parishes upon request to help implement Sacred Music in other ways.

Through the implementation of these directives, may we all offer to the Lord ever more beautiful praise. Sing to the Lord, All the Earth!

Given at the Chancery, Marquette, Michigan, January 26, 2016.

YOU CAN DOWNLOAD Bishop Doerfler’s original letter, but the typeface came through a bit fuzzy. I believe Bishop Doerfler should be commended for attempting to improve the sacred music in his diocese. By the way, our readers probably remember the 8-part series we published regarding the actions of Bishop Doerfler’s predecessor, Most Rev’d Alexander Sample. 1

This paragraph by Bishop Doerfler jumped out at me:

3. All parishes and schools will learn to chant the Communion Antiphon in English to a very simple tone that everyone can sing, and the Communion Antiphon will be sung at every Sunday Mass.

The musicians in Marquette may wish to explore the following complete collections of Communion antiphons:

(1) Laudate Dominum Antiphons (Motyka) — with complete rehearsal files

(2) Simple English Propers (CMAA) — with videos for rehearsal

(3) Lalemant Propers (CCW) — also available in hard copy

(4) Fr. Samuel Weber Propers — published by Ignatius Press

(5) John Ainslie Propers — not available for free, but worth purchasing

Many other composers—such as Richard J. Clark and Gary Penkala—have set the Communion antiphons. I wrote an article about English plainsong settings of the propers, which you can access here. Of special interest on that page will be the “Graduale Parvum.”



NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1   Our own Andrew Leung has already commented on the latest developments in Marquette, but this letter is so powerful it’s okay to continue to speak about it.

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Bishop John Doerfler Sacred Music 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

When a friend speaks of his accomplishments and triumphs, he stands at a distance from our heart. When he shares his weaknesses and failings, he’s very near.

— Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

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