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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 • “Veni, Veni Emmanuel” for 2 parts

Jeff Ostrowski · December 18, 2022

UPPOSE YOU CAME into contact with someone who claims to be an expert in German folk songs, yet doesn’t speak a word of German. Wouldn’t you find that strange? Even more bizarre is this man’s defense: “I don’t need to know a single word of German to appreciate German folk songs.” But is such an assertion credible? Since the 1960s we have witnessed ‘progressive’ Catholics do something similar. In spite of the fact that we are LATIN RITE CATHOLICS, they will not tolerate anything in Latin. They are fine with Spanish, Greek, Vietnamese, Tagalog, and so forth. But Latin they will not brook. Indeed, Bugnini’s cadre in the 1960s attempted to eliminate from the Catholic Mass all foreign words—even Alleluia, Hosanna, and Amen—but the Congregation of Sacred Rites was able to prevent that from happening.1

“Veni, Veni Emmanuel” • We sing the famous O ANTIPHON PARAPHRASES (better known as O Come, O Come Emmanuel) in Latin, using a brilliant 2-voice arrangement from the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal. You can download the PDF score for free—along with rehearsal videos for each individual voice—by scrolling to #2002. Below is a ‘live’ recording (from last Sunday) by the 100% volunteer choir I direct:

M To access this hymn’s media in the Brébeuf Portal, click here.

NOH Bass-Line • The arrangement has a gorgeous bass-line which descends using stepwise motion. This was a technique used constantly by the NOH composers to give harmonizations a more interesting structure:

Ronald Knox • My choir also sings the O ANTIPHON PARAPHRASES in English, using the Brébeuf Hymnal translation by Monsignor Ronald Knox:

M To access this hymn’s media in the Brébeuf Portal, click here.

“O Antiphons” • Anyone who downloaded this organ accompaniment booklet (25 pages) probably noticed the 4th Sunday of Advent does not have any Magnificat antiphon of its own. That’s because it must be taken from the “O Antiphons.” The clearest and most concise explanation of the “O Antiphons” can be found here, and don’t forget to read the footnote:

*  PDF Download • “O ANTIPHONS” • What are those?
—An excerpt from The Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal.

Obsessed With Them? • I once knew someone who considered himself the authority on the Roman Rite. He was obsessed with the O ANTIPHONS to a degree that was not healthy. He would say things like: “They’re the essence of Advent … the very essence of Advent … and hearing them I know it can only be the season of Advent.” I didn’t have the heart to tell this poor man that similar melodies occur at other times of the liturgical year. For example, take a look at the MAGNIFICAT ANTIPHON for the feast of the Ascension:

1 On Good Friday, the English translation of the Roman Missal uses Greek … but not Latin. This ferocious hatred of anything spoken in Latin is something utterly wrongheaded, deleterious, and embarrassing.

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

Filed Under: Articles, PDF Download Tagged With: Annibale Bugnini Reform, Monsignor Ronald Knox Traditional Mass, Stepwise Motion Bass, Veni Veni Emmanuel Last Updated: December 18, 2022

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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

    New Bulletin Article • “21 September 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 21 September 2025) discusses some theological items—supported by certain verses in ancient Catholic hymns—and ends by explaining why certain folks become delirious with jealousy when they observe feats by Monsignor Ronald Knox.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Cheap! Cheap! Cheap!
    It’s always amusing to see old diocesan newspapers—in huge capital letters—advertising the Cheapest Catholic Paper in the United States. The correspondent who sent this to me added: “I can think of certain composers, published by large companies in our own day, who could truthfully brag about the most tawdry compositions in the world!” I wonder what she could have meant by such a cryptic comment…
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • Dom Murray Harmonies
    Along with so many others, I have deep respect for Dom Gregory Gregory Murray, who produced this clever harmonization (PDF) of “O SANCTISSIMA.” It’s always amazed me that Dom Gregory—a truly inspired composer—was so confused when it came to GREGORIAN CHANT. Throughout his life, he published contradictory statements, veering back-and-forth like a weather vane. Toward the end of his life, he declared: “I see clearly that the need for reform in liturgical music arose, not in the 18th and 19th centuries, but a thousand years earlier—in the 8th and 9th centuries, or even before that. The abuses began, not with Mozart and Haydn, but with those over-enthusiastic medieval musicians who developed the elaborate and flamboyant Gregorian Chant.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Karl Keating • “Canonization Questions”
    We were sent an internet statement (screenshot) that’s garnered significant attention, in which KARL KEATING (founder of Catholic Answers) speaks about whether canonizations are infallible. Mr. Keating seems unaware that canonizations are—in the final analysis—a theological opinion. They are not infallible, as explained in this 2014 article by a priest (with a doctorate in theology) who worked for multiple popes. Mr. Keating says: “I’m unaware of such claims arising from any quarter until several recent popes disliked by these Traditionalists were canonized, including John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul II. Usually Paul VI receives the most opprobrium.” Mr. Keating is incorrect; e.g. Father John Vianney, several centuries ago, taught clearly that canonizations are not infallible. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen would be another example, although clearly much more recent than Saint John Vianney.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Vatican II Changed Wedding Propers?
    It’s often claimed that the wedding propers were changed after Vatican II. As a matter of fact, that is a false claim. The EDITIO VATICANA propers (Introit: Deus Israel) remained the same after Vatican II. However, a new set of propers (Introit: Ecce Deus) was provided for optional use. The same holds true for the feast of Pope Saint Gregory the Great on 3 September: the 1943 propers (Introit: Si díligis me) were provided for optional use, but the traditional PROPRIA MISSAE (Introit: Sacerdótes Dei) were retained; they weren’t gotten rid of. The Ordo Cantus Missae (1970) makes this crystal clear, as does the Missal itself. There was an effort made in the post-conciliar years to eliminate so-called “Neo-Gregorian” chants, but (contrary to popular belief) most were retained: cf. the feast of Christ the King, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, and so forth.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Solemn “Salve Regina” (Chant)
    How many “S” words can you think of using alliteration? How about Schwann Solemn Salve Score? You can download the SOLEMN SALVE REGINA in Gregorian Chant. The notation follows the official rhythm (EDITIO VATICANA). Canon Jules Van Nuffel, choirmaster of the Cathedral of Saint Rumbold, composed this accompaniment for it (although some feel it isn’t his best work).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“The first tasks of the new pope will be to restore normality, restore doctrinal clarity in faith and morals, restore a proper respect for the law and ensure that the first criterion for the nomination of bishops is acceptance of the apostolic tradition. Theological expertise and learning are an advantage, not a hinderance for all bishops and especially archbishops.”

— Cardinal Pell (2022) about the pope who will succeed Francis

Recent Posts

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