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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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Jeff Ostrowski

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 Los Angeles.—(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

4 March 2021 • Can you spare 15 seconds?

Due to Covid-19, California has basically been under “lock down” for 11 months, and these restrictions have had quite a detrimental effect on our choral programs. We are frequently limited to just 2-3 singers, on account of regulations by the government and our Archdiocese. However, although the number of singers is quite small, I was struck by the beauty of the singing last Sunday. Listen to this 15-second live excerpt and see if you agree?

—Jeff Ostrowski
3 March 2021 • “A policeman” — really?

According to Monsignor Frederick R. McManus, there were “policemen” serving the Sanhedrin in the time of Our Blessed Lord. Look at this awful translation in the 1966 “Saint Andrew Bible Missal” from 1966. Yuck!

—Jeff Ostrowski
Surprising Popularity!

One of our most popular downloads has proven to be the organ accompaniment to “The Monastery Hymnal” (131 pages). This book was compiled, arranged, and edited by Achille P. Bragers, who studied at the Lemmensinstituut (Belgium) about thirty years before that school produced the NOH. Bragers might be considered an example of Belgium “Stile Antico” whereas Flor Peeters and Jules Van Nuffel represented Belgium “Prima Pratica.” You can download the hymnal by Bragers at this link.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

Far from dreading an encounter with the Iroquois, Fr. Garnier often told us he would be quite content to fall into their hands and remain their prisoner if—while they were torturing him—he at least had a chance of instructing them as long as his torments lasted. If they allowed him to live, it would afford him a golden opportunity to work for their conversion, which was now impossible, since the gateway to their country was closed as long as they were our enemies.

— Father Ragueneau (Jesuit Relations)

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