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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

“Arundel Catholic Hymns” • Hymns Chosen and Edited by the Duke of Norfolk

Jeff Ostrowski · July 23, 2018

88134 ARUNDEL HYMNS NTIL the Westminster Hymnal appeared, the “best” Catholic hymnal for English-speakers was probably ARUNDEL HYMNS, with an Introductory Letter by Pope Leo XIII. It appeared around the year 1899, after several experimental versions. The official title was:

Arundel Hymns. Chosen and Edited by
Henry, Duke of Norfolk, and Charles P. Gatty.

In 1900, a fascinating review of “Arundel Hymns” was published in a Jesuit Magazine:

HAT THESE HYMNS will achieve immediate popularity with the Catholic masses can hardly be expected. The musical settings to the hymns at present in vogue in our churches are for the most part greatly inferior to those in this volume, but they have obtained a hold upon the affection of the congregations. Their sentimentality, their “sweetness,” their catching rhythms, appeal to the multitude; they are regarded as appropriate at popular services. To the musician, the lover of art, the man of cultivated taste, they are displeasing, and in some cases even offensive; and yet one hesitates to speak harshly of them. They are often the work of earnest, pious amateurs, and they would seem to stir genuine religious emotion in simple hearts.

Nevertheless our sympathy is with the Editors of the Arundel Hymns, who hope to introduce dignified, well-written hymns into our services. Most of the tunes in the collection are old, and their arrangement and adaptation is the work of musicians. We recommend them to the clergy, who, we trust, will not be discouraged if at first they hear complaints that the “new” hymns are drier and colder than the “old.” After all, the public likes what it is accustomed to, and hitherto, in the matter of hymns in our churches, it has too often been given sentimentality and violent rhythmic effects. Possibly it can be taught to appreciate solid worth and artistic restraint; in any case these are more suitable to divine service.

This review almost sounds like it was written in 2018—and I am being very serious!

There is quite a history behind the Arundel Hymnal, and I believe the one who paid for it was a relative of St. Philip Howard, who was martyred in 1595AD. The person to ask about “Arundel Hymns” is probably Veronica Brandt, who has made available a reprint.

Once upon a time, THE MONTH published some really awesome stuff. For example, “Dream of Gerontius” by Cardinal Newman first appeared in its pages. Later, an interesting Jesuit named Fr. Philip Caraman (d. 1998) became the Editor. We have often mentioned Caraman, who edited the Fulton J. Sheen Missal.

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

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: May 11, 2021

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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

    “Music List” • 17th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I prepared for the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time (27 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 Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the the feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Communion • “Ask & You Shall Receive”
    All of the chants for 27 July 2025 have been added to the feasts website, as usual under a convenient “drop down” menu. The COMMUNION ANTIPHON (both text and melody) are exceedingly beautiful and ancient.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Jeff’s Mother Joins Our Fundraiser
    To assist our fundraiser, Mrs. Kathleen Ostrowski has drawn several beautiful sketches which she offers to all our readers free of charge. If you have a moment, I invite you download them at this link.
    —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

“I am of the opinion, to be sure, that the old rite should be granted much more generously to all those who desire it. It’s impossible to see what could be dangerous or unacceptable about that. A community is calling its very being into question when it suddenly declares that what until now was its holiest and highest possession is strictly forbidden and when it makes the longing for it seem downright indecent.”

— Cardinal Ratzinger, 1997

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