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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

Start the New Year Right with a Spectacular Alleluia

Keven Smith · December 28, 2020

ITURGY IS, FIRST AND FOREMOST, an act of public worship. It also happens to be a skilled teacher. That’s the great thing about being Catholic. Our liturgy doesn’t patronize us by conforming to what we like; it challenges us by giving us what we need.

Of course, liturgy sometimes exalts the spirit beyond what we think possible. A perfect example is the Alleluia chant for the upcoming Octave of the Nativity (Extraordinary Form).

Now, if you asked me to list my favorite Alleluias of the liturgical year, I’ll admit I would have to put Pascha Nostrum (Easter Sunday) in the top position. Even if Holy Mother Church had given us a pedestrian melody for this chant, the fact that we get to sing it on Easter morning—after 40 days of suffering—would increase its poignancy. But the Church has provided for us musically. Pascha Nostrum is nothing short of dramatic. Something about the incipit has always made me want to start it off pianissimo as if our ears can hardly believe we’re hearing the “A” word again. The verse is stunning. The melisma on “immolatus” is one of the most florid of the entire liturgical year. The fireworks are justified; our Pasch has been sacrificed. Our Lord has paid the debt of our sins. Satan loses—then, now, and forever.

But Multifarie Olim (Octave of the Nativity) would be a not-too-distant second. Based on sheer musical merits, it’s easily the equal of Pascha Nostrum. The jubilus is brimming with energy. The verse begins with the same melody but then….soars. The text ties up the Christmas Octave perfectly:

God, who in divers manners spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets, last of all in these days hath spoken to us by His Son. (Heb 1: 1-2)

At this point you might ask, “Why do we sing such straightforward Alleluias for each of the three Masses of Christmas and put off this gem until the Octave?” This is where the Church teaches us. Even as our neighbors began tossing their Christmas trees onto the curb on December 26, we Catholics knew that the Christmas celebration had just begun. Big feasts have octaves, during which we’re encouraged to maintain the festivities for a full eight days.

The Octave of the Nativity underscores this point by prescribing propers identical to those of the Christmas Mass of the Day—except for this spectacular Alleluia, which it has kept hidden away like a final surprise gift.

The Gradual and Alleluia are supposed to prepare us to hear the Gospel. If the Alleluia encourages us to listen attentively, then it has done its job. That’s exactly what Multifarie Olim does. In fact, I remember singing it in Fresno years ago while I had guests in town. Both were non-practicing Catholics, but they came to the sung Mass with me. As the Alleluia verse soared higher and higher, the melody moved them to tears.

If you’re attending an Extraordinary Form Mass for New Year’s Day 2021 and live in an area where you’re allowed to sing, savor this Alleluia. May we all sing it with gusto on New Year’s Day 2022.

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

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Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Beauty in the Catholic Liturgy, Gregorian Chant Last Updated: December 29, 2020

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About Keven Smith

Keven Smith, music director at St. Stephen the First Martyr, lives in Sacramento with his wife and five musical children.—(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    2-Voice Arr. • “Creator of the Starry Height”
    Do you direct a choir consisting of women or children only? (Some call this a “treble” choir.) Download a two-voice arrangement of Creator of the Starry Height set to the tune of IOANNES by clicking here and then scrolling to the bottom. In our times, this hymn is normally used during ADVENT, and the Latin title is: Cónditor alme síderum. It’s important to say “cónditor”—placing the accent on the antepenult—because ‘condítor’ in Latin means “one who embalms the dead.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Equal Voices” Choir Pieces
    My colleague, CORRINNE MAY, has posted some delightful compositions for equal voices: that is, choirs consisting of all men or all women. Included there are settings of the “Ave Maria” and “Tantum Ergo.” They strike me as relatively simple and not excessively lengthy. (In other words, within reach of volunteer singers.) Even better, all the scores have been made available as instant PDF downloads, completely free of charge. Bravo!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Typo in the “Missale Romanum” (1962)
    The 1962 MISSALE ROMANUM was a transitional missal. It was on its way to becoming the 1970 version, but wasn’t there yet. It eliminated certain duplications, downplayed the Prayers at the Foot of the Altar, expanded the role of laymen, minimized the Last Gospel, made many items optional, and so forth. Father Valentine Young spotted many typos in the 1962 MISSALE ROMANUM, especially incorrect accents. The Offertory Antiphon for this coming Sunday (OF kalendar) contains an error, citing the wrong verse from Psalm 118. It should be 118:107b, not 118:154. If you read verse 154, you’ll understand how that error crept in. [In this particular case, the error pre-dates the 1962 Missal, since the 1940s hand-missal by Father Lasance also gets it wrong.]
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “Our Father” • Musical Setting?
    Looking through a Roman Catholic Hymnal published in 1859 by Father Guido Maria Dreves (d. 1909), I stumbled upon this very beautiful tune (PDF file). I feel it would be absolutely perfect to set the “Our Father” in German to music. Thoughts?
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
    The American Catholic Hymnal, with IMPRIMATUR granted (25 April 1991) by the Archdiocese of Chicago, is like a compendium of every horrible idea from the 1980s. Imagine being forced to stand all through Communion (even afterwards) when those self-same ‘enlightened’ liturgists moved the SEQUENCE before the Alleluia to make sure congregations wouldn’t have to stand during it. (Even worse, everything about the SEQUENCE—including its name—means it should follow the Alleluia.) And imagine endlessly repeating “Alleluia” during Holy Communion at every single Mass. It was all part of an effort to convince people that Holy Communion was historically a procession (which it wasn’t).
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“If a pope were only ever applauded, he would have to ask himself whether or not he was doing things right.”

— Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI (2016)

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