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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

“Three Hymns for Lent” • (Rec. 03/10/2022)

Jeff Ostrowski · March 15, 2022

NE OF MY PROFESSORS used to say: “Sometimes what goes without saying needs to be said.” The Brébeuf hymnal was designed to get congregations singing. The Brébeuf is not a reprint of the Liber Usualis. The Brébeuf is not a reprint of Cantus Varii, the Liber Cantualis, or Cantus Selecti. The Brébeuf is not a reprint of the Antiphonale Romanum or the Liber Gradualis. The Brébeuf hymnal was designed for congregations; therefore, most of its hymns are in English.1 It has never been the tradition in America to have congregations sing hymns in Latin—although Adéste Fidéles is certainly an exception to that rule. Neither is it traditional for priests to preach their homilies in Latin.

Leading The Way: The Brébeuf hymnal contains approximately 700 hymns. It does contain Latin hymns, but these are provided with metrical and literal English translations. The literal translations were done by a brilliant FSSP priest, and—until he contributed his works to the Brébeuf hymnal—several of these ancient Latin hymns had never been given a literal English translation before. The Brébeuf melodies (such as SAXONY) can also be adapted to Latin—it’s a book which inspires and leads the way. Here’s an example of how that works:

*  PDF Download • “O Sol Salutis, Intimis”
—Before 1629AD, this hymn was known as Jam Christe Sol Justitiæ.

Same Melody, 2nd Time: You can also sing that same melody in English. Page 215 in the Brébeuf hymnal has an English translation of Ex More Docti Mystico by Father Fitzpatrick, an Oblate of Mary:

REHEARSAL VIDEOS for each individual voice await you at #215.

Same Melody, 3rd Time: If you look on page 93 of the Brébeuf hymnal, you will see another ancient hymn for Lent: Audi Benigne Conditor. The same melody can be used, with a marvelous translation by Father Fitzpatrick:

REHEARSAL VIDEOS for each individual voice await you at #093.

 


NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1   Choirs will want to purchase the Brébeuf choral supplement, and organists will want the Brébeuf accompaniment volumes.

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

Filed Under: Articles, PDF Download Tagged With: Audi Benigne Conditor, Ex More Docti Mystico, O Sol Salutis Intimis, Rare Hymns for Lent Last Updated: February 25, 2023

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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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President’s Corner

    “Music List” • 29th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 19 October 2025, which is the 29th 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 sensational feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Liturgical Round (“Canon”) in C-Major
    Those who direct children’s choirs are always on the lookout for repertoire that’s dignified, inspired, and pleasing—yet still within reach of young choristers. Such directors will want to investigate this haunting liturgical round (PDF download) which has been married to the KYRIE from Mass VI (EDITIO VATICANA). I have provided an accompaniment, but it’s only for use during rehearsal; i.e. when teaching this round to your choristers. I also provided an organ accompaniment for the KYRIE—which some know by its trope (Kyrie Rex Genitor)—so that your congregation can take part when this round is used as a choral extension during Mass.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Latin Liturgy Association
    We note with pleasure that Mrs. Regina Morris, president of the Latin Liturgy Association, has featured—on page 4 of Volume CXXIX of their official newsletter—the three (3) terrific versions of the Stations of the Cross found in the Brébeuf Hymnal. One of the main authors for the blog of the Church Music Association of America said (6/10/2019) about this pew book: “It is such a fantastic hymnal that it deserves to be in the pews of every Catholic church.”
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

    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
    “Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Fifty years ago, Dr. Theodore Marier made available this clever arrangement (PDF) of “Come down, O love divine” by P. R. Dietterich. The melody was composed in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (d. 1958) and named in honor of of his birthplace: DOWN AMPNEY. The arrangement isn’t a strict canon, but it does remind one of a canon since the pipe organ employs “points of imitation.” The melody and text are #709 in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

Saint Phillip Neri founded a religious congregation called the Oratory. Animuccia was involved from early on and remained “maestro di capella” of the Oratory until his death. The Oratory was able to attract many musicians who volunteered their services, including the famous singer Francesco Soto de Langa from the Capella Sistina, the composer Palestrina, and probably the composer Tomás Luis de Victoria who lived in the same house as St. Phillip Neri for five years.

— Source Unknown

Recent Posts

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  • Children’s Repertoire • Three More Recommendations by Keven Smith
  • Liturgical Round (“Canon”) in C-Major
  • PDF Download • Liturgical Round (“Canon”) for your Children’s Choir

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