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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

PDF Download • “How To Serve Mass” (1651)

Jeff Ostrowski · November 29, 2017

3770 Sperabo ERY LITTLE has escaped our perusal when it comes to research materials for the St. Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal. We even look through ancient Roman Catholic Primers, which (believe it or not) translate into English the Breviary hymns, and some of these books date back more than 400 years—not long after the time of King Henry VIII. As Eamon Duffy has pointed out, however, such Primers contain much more than English hymn translations.

The following was taken from a 1651AD Primer:

    * *  PDF Download • “How to serve Mass” (1651AD)

The Brébeuf hymnal does have beautiful hymn texts and tunes by modern composers and Catholics poets—but we also include some excellent ancient hymns. I’ve never seen any book that comes close to what we’re putting together, and I find myself in awe of the knowledge displayed by the scholars serving on our hymnal committee. And I end up feeling pretty inadequate!

A few excerpts:

When you see the Priest spread his Hands over the Chalice,
light your Wax-Candle; kneel, and with your other Hand
hold up the Vestment, till the Elevation be past;
that done, kiss the Vestment, put out the Candle;
and so often as you pass by the Blessed Sacrament,
do Reverence on your Knees.

[ … ]

The Clerk kneeling must give the Pax to the Priest to kiss,
and answer, “P. Pax tecum. C. Et cum spiritu tuo.”
Pausing a little, arise, make Adoration to the Sacrament,
give the Pax to those present, observe Order of calling, and Years:
Which done, be ready to give Wine and Water to the Priest;
and if there be Communicants, provide Towel and Taper,
and say Confiteor: After they have received the Host,
give them Wine, remove the Book to the Left Hand
of the Altar, take away the Towel, depart to your former place.

[ … ]

So put out the Candles, and look they spoil not
the Altar-Clothes, and lay up all handsomely.
If you have leisure, meditate a while, kiss the Altar, saying,
“I will adore in the Place where his Feet stood,” and depart.

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

Filed Under: Articles, PDF Download 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

    “What Martin Luther Said…”
    My pastor asked me to write little columns for the bulletin each week. The article for 20 July 2025 has been posted, and it’s called: “What Luther Said…” Martin Luther (an ex-priest and apostate) was an infamous heretic whose ignorance of JESUS CHRIST was only exceeded by his filthy and disgusting vulgarity.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Music List” • 15th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I prepared for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (13 July 2025). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and propers for this Sunday are also provided at the the feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    This coming Sunday—13 July 2025—is the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). All the chants have been conveniently assembled and posted at the feasts website. The OFFERTORY, Ad Te Levávi, is particularly beautiful.
    —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

“Edwin Fischer was, on the concert platform, a short, leonine, resilient figure, whose every fibre seemed to vibrate with elemental musical power.”

— Daniel Barenboim (1960)

Recent Posts

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  • “Music List” • 15th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
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