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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

Where do you obtain your Psalms?

Jeff Ostrowski · September 27, 2016

NGLISH HAS LAWS of accentuation we seldom think about. For example, notice how the accent shifts: hypocrite, hypocrisy, hypocritical. Those of us who grew up speaking English know this by instinct. In Latin, the placement of the accent can change the meaning. For example, ádvenit has a different meaning than advénit. Likewise, the word cónditor has a different meaning than condítor.

A truly excellent resource is Catholic Bible Online, but accents are not given. So where does one find accented psalms when extra verses for liturgical music are needed?

My favorite source is the 1942 BREVIARY by the Desclée brothers:

    * *  (Part A) Desclée Breviary — HIEMALIS “Winter”

    * *  (Part B) Desclée Breviary — VERNA “Spring”

    * *  (Part C) Desclée Breviary — ÆSTIVA “Summer”

    * *  (Part D) Desclée Breviary — AUTUMNALIS “Fall”

If those massive files are too large your computer, download the 1888 Pustet Breviary:

    * *  (1 of 4) 1888 • Pustet Breviary (“Winter”)

    * *  (2 of 4) 1888 • Pustet Breviary (“Spring”)

    * *  (3 of 4) 1888 • Pustet Breviary (“Summer”)

    * *  (4 of 4) 1888 • Pustet Breviary (“Autumn”)

Those Breviaries are helpful when it comes to Latin syllabification—indeed, there’s no better source. By the way, one of the reasons I’m hooked on the Catholic Bible Online (SEE ABOVE) has to do with acrostics. Do you see the way Msgr. Ronald Knox imitates the Hebrew pattern, where each line begins with a subsequent letter of the alphabet? I never realized Psalm 33 was also an acrostic in the Hebrew.

GETTING BACK TO the Desclée Breviary, notice how every single page is done with unbelievable attention to detail. Consider the beautiful «Æ» employed for the hymn ÆTERNE RERUM CONDITOR:

990 Desclée Breviary


Henri and Jules Desclée were remarkable beyond words. Many readers will be familiar with their intimate relationship with the Abbey of Solesmes, which led to the production of so many stunning liturgical publications. The breviary above is peppered with artwork sometimes shared amongst various books. However, there is so much more to the story of the Desclée family, and this article is a good starting point.

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 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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President’s Corner

    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
    “Music List” • 28th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 12 October 2025, which is the 28th 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 dazzling feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

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

If then Dom Pothier has sometimes adapted authentic melodies found elsewhere in the manuscripts to texts of the Mass it is not, as Mr. X. maintains, because he has “composed them from scratch and declared them as traditional.”

— Most Rev’d Henri Laurent Janssens (25 November 1905)

Recent Posts

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  • PDF Download • Liturgical Round (“Canon”) for your Children’s Choir
  • Latin Liturgy Association
  • Important Quote by a Church Musician

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