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“A much greater source of anxiety to Us is the style of action of those who maintain that liturgical worship should shed its sacred character, who foolishly say we should substitute for sacred items & furnishings ordinary common things in daily use.” —Pope Saint Paul VI (14 Oct 1968)

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Views from the Choir Loft

New! • Easy Choral Extension Mass (Ordinary Form)

Guest Author · January 3, 2017

509 Medieval Organist HAVE BEEN recently inspired by the principle of using choral extensions allowing both congregational participation and “a touch of polyphony,” as discussed in a previous post on Corpus Christi Watershed. I think it is a sound principle for those who are trying to find a balanced approach within the Ordinary Form, bring in beautiful elements of the Church’s polyphonic tradition, and increase the moments that we should have a little more reflection within the action of the Liturgy.

Practically speaking, a full polyphonic setting in the context of a regular Ordinary Form liturgy might seem a trifle long, when the action must stop to wait for it. In the heyday of sacred polyphony, and in the context of the Extraordinary Form of the Mass today, the liturgical action may continue during the choral singing of the Ordinary, with the celebrant reciting the texts at the altar sotto voce. This means that, sadly—and not intentionally—great works may be perceived to lose some of their functionality. This is where the principle of choral extensions may come in, where you still want this priceless treasure practically used in the Ordinary Form Mass.

    * *  PDF Download • MISSA MISERICODRIAE DEI (2017)

So, I have devised this Mass setting, which I’ve given the name Missa Misericordiae Dei (Mass of the Mercy of God), which incorporates the most common ICEL Roman Chants of the Kyrie, Sanctus, Memorial Acclamation, Great Amen, and Agnus Dei, with excerpts from the Missa Octavi Toni by Orlando de Lassus (for SATB). This allows for the congregation to join in with the “Chant” section of each of the parts and the choir to provide some polyphony either between or at the end of the section. I have provided the ICEL chants with a possible SATB choral harmonisation, to allow for them to be sung without organ accompaniment, as would seem to be more fitting in the penitential seasons of the year, particularly Advent and Lent. It would be, however, perfectly reasonable to ignore these harmonisations and sing the melodies in unison and break into the polyphony where it begins. The ICEL Chants are given in their English form. They could equally be sung in Latin, or any other language should that be desired or required.


We hope you enjoyed this guest article by Maestro McBain.


Nigel Lucas Silvester McBain currently serves as Director of Music and Adult Faith Formation at Holy Family Catholic Church, Mitchell, South Dakota.

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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President’s Corner

    Simplest “Agnus Dei” Ever Published
    Our choir is on break during the month of July. I needed a relatively simple “Agnus Dei,” so I composed this setting for organ & voice in honor of Saint René Goupil. It has been called the simplest setting ever composed. I love CARMEN GREGORIANUM (“Gregorian Chant”), especially the ALLELUIAS, INTROITS, and COMMUNION ANTIPHONS. That being said, some have pointed out that certain sections of the Kyriale aren’t as strong as the Graduale or Vesperale. There’s a reason for this—but it would be too complicated to explain at this moment.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Our choir is on break during the month of July. However, on the feasts website, the chants have been posted for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C), which is this coming Sunday: 6 July 2025.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    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

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

Impelled by the weightiest of reasons, we are fully determined to restore Latin to its position of honor, and to do all We can to promote its study and use. The employment of Latin has recently been contested in many quarters, and many are asking what the mind of the Apostolic See is in this matter. We have therefore decided to issue the timely directives contained in this document, so as to ensure that the ancient and uninterrupted use of Latin be maintained and, where necessary, restored.”

— Pope John XXIII (22 February 1962)

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