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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

PDF Download • Plainsong Settings for Voice & Organ … in English! (957 pages)

Corpus Christi Watershed · July 14, 2022

M Corpus Christi Watershed is pleased
M to offer the following guest article
M by Mr. Brian Michael Page:

OUR YEARS AGO, I completed PSALM 151, a collection (957 pages) of Propers for the Sundays and major feasts of the Church Year. This work was over 32 years in the making. In the mid 1980s and into the 1990s, PSALM 151 was merely a collection of Responsorial Psalms for Sundays and feasts, and its exposure was basically limited to the whatever parish I was employed at in illo temprore. The collection has grown. I’ve added ALLELUIAS (mostly based on known chants according to season) and their Lenten replacements, simply dubbed “Alleluias and Gospel Acclamations.” You can find that collection still within my website: Christus Vincit Music.

Brief Overview: As of May, 2018, this work is complete! Many of the Psalms were updated, a good chunk of them re-written with chant melodies, and with standard Psalm tones with optional SATB endings. I’ve also added Introits, Graduals, the aforementioned Alleluias, Offertories, and Communions. Most of these are in the form of responsories. In the case of many of the longer antiphons (namely those from the Graduale Romanum), there is a portion of the antiphon in the people’s response, and the remainder is a versicle for the cantor or choir.

*  PDF Download • “PSALM 151” (957 pages)
—Includes the scores, and parts for the congregation.

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The Style Of These Pieces: While most of the material is chant-based—or at least “chant-like”—there are some metrical responses as well, and some even based on metrical hymn-tunes (e.g. In Der Ist Freude). Some material includes parts for brass and timpani. There is also an Ave Maria (Offertory for IV Advent and the Annunciation) which I wrote when I was “barely old enough to drink,” which includes parts for a string quartet. I also included “Parce, Dómine” for Ash Wednesday, based on one of the antiphons for the Imposition of Ashes, which includes verses of Psalm 51 (50) adapted to the Mode I chant.

My Influences: Other extra music includes choral options for the Easter and Pentecost sequences, a simplified version of the chant “Gloria, Laus, et Honor” with the English hymn text “All Glory, Laud, and Honor,” great for processions from locations that begin outside the church. One could safely say that the writings show influences ranging from Theodore Marier to Alexander Peloquin.

Impact Of These Pieces: Since I released PSALM 151, the work has gradually gained exposure. I personally have heard well-executed renditions of (at the very least) the Responsorial Psalms on YouTube from Boston to San Francisco. In fact, for the past year or two, one parish in particular, St. Stephen Martyr in Washington, DC, has been using the Responsorial Psalms from this project regularly.

The Future of Psalm 151: I am working on a huge update, the Christus Vincit Gradual, which will add weekday Propers to the mix, as well as updated versions of much of the PSALM 151 material. Some of those updated versions include a couple of Advent offertories in the form of hymns from traditional sources (and using my own tunes), as well as some updated original Psalm tones. I am also restoring some of my older responses, including one for III Advent C (Isaiah 12), which also includes a juicy organ fanfare to let Gaudete Sunday live up to its name. PSALM 151 will remain on the site. There will be a planning guide that will support both PSALM 151 and the forthcoming Christus Vincit Gradual.

Personal Note: Special thanks to all who have supported my project over the last few years, especially Mr. Luke Massery. God bless.

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Alexander Peloquin, Brian Michael Page, Psalm 151 Brian Michael Page, Theodore Marier Last Updated: July 14, 2022

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    PDF • “Lectionary Comparison Chart”
    Various shell corporations (in an effort to make money selling Sacred Scripture) have tinkered with the LECTIONARY texts in a way that’s shameful. It’s no wonder Catholics in the pews know so few Bible passages by heart. Without authorization, these shell corporations pervert the official texts. Consider the Responsorial Psalm for the 1st Sunday of Advent (Year A). If you download this PDF comparison chart you’ll notice each country randomly omits certain sections. Such tinkering has gone on for 60+ years—and it’s reprehensible.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Monsignor Klaus Gamber Speaks!
    An interesting quotation from the eminent liturgist, Monsignor Klaus Gamber (d. 1989): “According to canon law, a person’s affiliation with a particular liturgical rite is determined by that person’s rite of baptism. Given that the liturgical reforms of Pope Paul VI created a de facto new rite, one could assert that those among the faithful who were baptized according to the traditional Roman rite have the right to continue following that rite; just as priests who were ordained according to the traditional Ordo have the right to exercise the very rite that they were ordained to celebrate.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “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

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 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

“Now we are aware of the fact that during recent years some artists, gravely offending against Christian piety, have dared to bring into churches works devoid of any religious inspiration and completely at variance with the right rules of art.”

— Ven. Pope Pius XII (25 December 1955)

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