• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

“What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too…” Pope Benedict XVI (7 July 2007)

  • Our Team
  • Pew Resources
    • Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal
    • Jogues Illuminated Missal
    • Campion Missal, 3rd Edition
  • MUSICAL WEBSITES
    • René Goupil Gregorian Chant
    • Noël Chabanel Psalms
    • Nova Organi Harmonia (2,279 pages)
    • Lalemant Polyphonic
    • Saint Antoine Daniel KYRIALE
    • Roman Missal, 3rd Edition
    • Emporium Kevin Allen
  • Miscellaneous
    • Site Map
    • Saint Jean de Lalande Library
    • Sacred Music Symposium 2023
  • Donate
Views from the Choir Loft

Copyright Problems! • Vernacular Readings + “Traditionis Custodes”

Jeff Ostrowski · July 23, 2021

ANY QUESTIONS still remain about the recent papal decree (Traditionis Custodes). In particular, there is a section that says: In these celebrations the readings are proclaimed in the vernacular language, using translations of the Sacred Scripture approved for liturgical use by the respective Episcopal Conferences. It’s not clear whether that only refers to the so-called “diocesan EF Mass” that bishops are supposed to establish at some point in the future. Furthermore, it’s doubtful what this statement could possibly mean in light of the 20 November 2012 statement by the USCCB (see below).

A Legal Problem: It must be remembered that the Scripture translations used in the Novus Ordo are a major source of revenue for the USCCB. Even though the Mass is an indulgenced prayer—meaning its texts aren’t supposed to be sold—the USCCB has been selling those texts for decades. Moreover, the various readings (Gospels, Antiphons, Psalms, etc.) are copyrighted under various “shell” organizations, making it harder to know how much money they take in each month. 1 Even when you receive permission, they reserve the right to change their policy at any time. So if you broadcast 1,000 Masses on YouTube, remember that—at any moment—they can force you take down all those videos.

Poor Parishes Lacking Funds: Locations which celebrate the Traditional Latin Mass tend to be the marginalized groups, given “leftovers” that nobody else wants. It’s highly doubtful such parishes can afford the high rates associated with the USCCB readings. Remember, the USCCB does not allow anyone to reproduce or transmit electronically by any means any part of “their” Bible without permission. Sometimes they charge money, sometimes not. It can take months to receive permission from their office—and I speak from personal experience here. It would be risky to even use a loudspeaker or microphone system at Mass, since that “transmits electronically” the USCCB copyrighted readings.

Constantly Changing: There is no “physical Bible” you can purchase which contains the USCCB approved readings. They are constantly making small changes here and there. (I have tons of examples, if anyone cares.) You cannot simply copy the readings from the USCCB website—that’s not the official version although it’s quite similar to it. If you don’t observe these small changes, they threaten you with legal action. Does all this sound absurd? That is one of the reasons people had been flocking to the Traditional Latin Mass: The EF Mass texts are not for sale.

They Don’t Match: The USCCB readings and antiphons don’t match the Traditional Latin Mass. Therefore, priests must create some sort of “hybrid” lectionary. The following were approved for liturgical use by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in November of 1966 (and confirmed again in March of 1967):

Confraternity of Christian Doctrine Bible
Douai-Rheims-Challoner Bible
Monsignor Ronald Knox Bible
Revised Standard Version (Catholic Edition) Bible
Jerusalem Bible

Other Approvals: The following were approved for liturgical use by the USCCB (Secretariat for the Bishops’ Committee on the Liturgy) by a communication dated 20 November 2012:

The Bible readings in the Fulton J. Sheen Missal
The Bible readings in the Saint Andrew Missal
The Bible readings in the Father Lasance Missal

That remarkable 20 November 2012 statement by the USCCB Secretariat of Divine Worship—the whole business of “tacit” permission—was confirmed by 80+ snail-mail letters sent to bishops on that committee. This is important, because the Secretariat is supposed to act in the name of the bishops on the committee.

Actions Have Consequences: Because of this USCCB statement (dated 20 November 2012), everything you see at an Ordinary Form Mass—and here I’m speaking of the bad stuff, not the good stuff—is technically “approved,” in spite of what the GIRM says. It has “tacit” approval from the local bishop, according to the USCCB. Here is something I find very troubling:


NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1   Until recently, everyone who purchased the USCCB Psalms was inadvertently making a very small monetary donation to David Haas. More on this at a later date.

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

Follow the Discussion on Facebook

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: 1965 Missal, Traditionis Custodes Motu Proprio Last Updated: April 13, 2022

Subscribe

It greatly helps us if you subscribe to our mailing list!

* indicates required

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 Los Angeles.—(Read full biography).

Primary Sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

    Introit • Candlemas (2 February)
    “Candlemas” • Our choir sang on February 2nd, and here's a live recording of the beautiful INTROIT: Suscépimus Deus. We had very little time to rehearse, but I think it has some very nice moments. I promise that by the 8th Sunday after Pentecost it will be perfect! (That Introit is repeated on the 8th Sunday after Pentecost.) We still need to improve, but we're definitely on the right track!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Simplified Antiphons • “Candlemas”
    Anyone who desires simplified antiphons (“psalm tone versions”) for 2 February, the Feast of the Purification—which is also known as “Candlemas” or the Feast of the Presentation—may freely download them. The texts of the antiphons are quite beautiful. From “Lumen Ad Revelatiónem Géntium” you can hear a live excerpt (Mp3).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Tempo?? • 𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘺 𝘎𝘰𝘥, 𝘞𝘦 𝘗𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘛𝘩𝘺 𝘕𝘢𝘮𝘦
    Once, after Mass, my pastor said he really loved the hymn we did. I said: “Father, that's Holy God, We Praise Thy Name—you never heard it before?” He replied: “But the way you did it was terrific. For once, it didn't sound like a funeral dirge!” Last Sunday, our volunteer choir sang that hymn. I think the tempo was just about right … but what do you think?
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

At papal Masses, the regulations against tardiness were more stringent than at Masses celebrated by cardinals or bishops. Giovanni Maria Nanino records that any singer who is not in his place—and in his vestments—by the end of the repetition of the “Introit” will be fined eight vinti. At papal Vespers, the singer who is not present at the “Gloria Patri” of the first psalm pays a fine of fifty balocchi.

— Giovanni M. Nanino (d. 1607), Papal “Maestro di Cappella”

Recent Posts

  • Church Music Shouldn’t Be “Headache-Inducing”
  • Introit • Candlemas (2 February)
  • Simplified Antiphons • “Candlemas”
  • Apply Right Now! • Sacred Music Symposium
  • Tempo?? • 𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘺 𝘎𝘰𝘥, 𝘞𝘦 𝘗𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘛𝘩𝘺 𝘕𝘢𝘮𝘦

Subscribe

Subscribe

* indicates required

Copyright © 2023 Corpus Christi Watershed · Isaac Jogues on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Corpus Christi Watershed is a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to exploring and embodying as our calling the relationship of religion, culture, and the arts. This non-profit organization employs the creative media in service of theology, the Church, and Christian culture for the enrichment and enjoyment of the public.