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Corpus Christi Watershed

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

“Adoro te devote” (SATB) • Rehearsal Videos

Jeff Ostrowski · March 31, 2017

285 Thomas Aquinas OMETIMES PROTESTANTS accuse Catholics of an “abuse” regarding hymns, saying whenever we sing hymns during Mass we should sing all the verses. This sounds like a powerful, self-evident truth—just like when somebody says “peace” and “piece” couldn’t possibly be pronounced the same way because they’re spelled differently.

Those who carefully study hymns know better. Consider Tantum Ergo; which is not the complete hymn. Consider O Salutaris, Hostis Herodes, A solis ortus, and Angularis fundamentum; none of which is the complete hymn. For that matter, look at the ancient verses of the Offertories, which omit and combine verses constantly. Indeed, sections are sometimes omitted from Sequences (e.g. Credendum est from “Victimae Paschali”). 1

I’m teaching a hymn to our children’s choir, but we only do four verses:

    * *  PDF Download • “Adoro te devote” (SATB)

The melody is very “nineteenth-century”—and I’ll be curious to read the Facebook comments regarding this tune. The children like it.

The SATB section begins at the 0:37 marker:

REHEARSAL VIDEOS for each individual voice—along with PDF score—await you at #5855. If you like them, please consider donating $5.00 per month.


The English translation is by Fr. Adrian Fortescue (d. 1923):

1. Humbly I adore Thee, hidden Godhead,
veiled truly under these figures.
All my heart I give to Thee,
for it all fails in contemplating Thee.

1. Adóro te devóte, látens Déitas,
Quae sub his figúris vére látitas:
Tíbi se cor méum tótum súbjicit,
Quia te contémplans tótum déficit.

2. Sight, touch and taste tell me nothing
of Thy presence; yet safely I trust what I hear.
I believe whatever the Son of God has said;
nothing can be more true than the word of Truth itself.

2. Vísus, táctus, gústus in te fállitur,
Sed audítu sólo túto créditur:
Crédo, quídquid díxit Déi Fílius:
Nil hoc vérbo Veritátis vérius.

3. On the cross Thy Godhead was hidden;
here is hidden Thy manhood too.
Yet I believe and confess both,
praying as prayed the good thief.

3. In crúce latébat sóla Déitas,
At hic látet símul et humánitas:
Ámbo támen crédens átque cónfitens,
Péto quod petívit látro paénitens.

4. I do not see Thy wounds like Thomas;
yet I confess Thee my God.
Grant that I may ever more and more
believe in Thee, hope in Thee, love Thee.

4. Plágas, sícut Thómas, non intúeor:
Déum támen méum te confíteor:
Fac me tíbi sémper mágis crédere,
In te spem habére, te dilígere.



NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1   For the record, even melodies are sometimes added or torn out, which made a big difference in Gloria IX. This is simply what happens with a Faith as ancient as ours.

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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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    “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
    “Music List” • 21st in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Our choir returns on Sunday, 24 August 2025. Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for it, which is the 21st 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. When it comes to the feast of the Assumption (15 August 2025), I have uploaded the music list for that Mass—but not the “bi-lingual” Mass in the evening (Spanish, Latin, and English) which has completely different music.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    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

Random Quote

Goupil deserves the name of martyr not only because he has been murdered by the enemies of God and His Church while laboring in ardent charity for his neighbor, but most of all because he was killed for being at prayer and notably for making the Sign of the Cross.

— St. Isaac Jogues (after the martyrdom of Saint René Goupil)

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