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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 • “Spanish Missal for the Traditional Latin Mass” (Madrid, 1961) — 860 pages!

Andrea Leal · March 7, 2023

ARK TWAIN said famously: “The truth is stranger than fiction.” On the one hand, we observe no shortage of scandals in the Catholic Church: high-ranking prelates who apostatize, dioceses shuttering parish after parish, and immorality being taught inside the hitherto secure sanctuary of parochial schools. On the other hand, a veritable renaissance of authentic sacred music is taking place, which I have witnessed with my own eyes. As a homeschooling mother of six children, who also (as a volunteer) runs multiple parish choirs, I certainly never thought I’d be given the privilege of working side-by-side with some of this nation’s foremost church musicians … but the truth is stranger than fiction.

Internet Initiatives • Even a single book—e.g. the NOH—being placed online can change lives. But until I became involved with Corpus Christi Watershed, I had no idea how much effort is required to produce such internet initiatives. Books must be discovered, then sought, then obtained, then scanned, then uploaded. Servers and websites must be maintained, which requires fundraising. To understand the value of such books requires special training and experience in the real world of church music. The MISAL ROMANO (Madrid, 1961) is our most recent gift to the world:

*  PDF Download • “Misal Romano” (1961) — PART 1 of 2
—PDF file 141.3MB • 419 pages.
*  PDF Download • “Misal Romano” (1961) — PART 2 of 2
—PDF file 122.6MB • 438 pages.

Why It Matters • Below, I describe why this 1961 Spanish Missal is (in my opinion) so important, and why I pushed for it to be scanned and offered free or charge to anyone with internet access. If you find books like this useful, please consider donating to our efforts the price of a cup of coffee.

HAVE RECENTLY been taking a closer look at the Spanish translations of the propers for the Traditional Latin Mass. As a brief background, I was raised in a bilingual household, so I learned English and Spanish simultaneously. As I read carefully through the Spanish propers, I was taken aback at the choices in verbiage and numerous inaccuracies. They seemed a little “off”—and I didn’t quite understand some of their meanings until I read them in English. I figured that as a bilingual person living in the United States with an English-speaking education, I must not be fluent enough to understand these passages. So, I asked some of the native Spanish speakers of my acquaintance to review the sections I found strange, and to tell me whether they understood everything. Their response was surprising: “No, I do not understand everything…but I figure I am just too ignorant to understand. I must not know enough.” Wow.

All Of Them Were Wrong • I commenced an online search for accurate and clear propers in Spanish, including those at SSPX, FSSP, and various websites in Spain and South America. This is not to say correct translations don’t exist online, but I sure couldn’t find any. I even checked the SSPX 1962 missal. They were all the same wrong translations. They contained the same strange word choices.

Some Examples • For example, the Epistle for the First Sunday of Advent is: “Brethren, knowing that it is now the hour for us to rise from sleep. For now our salvation is nearer than when we believed.” In Latin, this was the word salus. But in Spanish, it was translated as: “Hermanos: Hora es ya de despertar. Ahora está más cerca nuestra salud que cuando empezamos a creer.” The word salud in Spanish is most commonly known as “health.” So, the meaning provided in Spanish is: “…our health is nearer than when we believed.” This does not make sense in the passage in the way that the word “salvation” would. Similarly, the Alleluia for 1st Sunday of Advent says, “…grant us Thy salvation.” In Spanish, this was translated as: “give us your Savior.” (Latin: salutáre tuum da nobis. Spanish: danos tu Salvador)

Spain To The Rescue • Fortunately, the husband of my colleague, Veronica Moreno, had a 1961 missal from Spain in his personal library that he was willing to share. I asked him to send me pictures of the readings I was investigating and was relieved to find that this missal contained accurate readings! I’m not sure who will want to spend their free time crusading online to get everyone to use correct translations, but it would be nice if the Spanish-speaking world could understand the propers clearly. The handmissal’s full title is:

Misal Romano
Edición Manual Para Uso De Los Fieles
Por el R. P. Gregorio Martínez De Antoñana
Misionero Hijo Del Inmaculado Corazón De María
Octava Edicion • Madrid (1961)

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

Filed Under: Articles, Featured, PDF Download Tagged With: 1961 Misal Romano PDF, Spanish Mass Propers, Spanish Missal for the Extraordinary Form, Traditional Latin Mass Spanish Missal Last Updated: March 7, 2023

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About Andrea Leal

Andrea Leal is a wife and homeschooling mother of 6 children. She serves as choir director for the Traditional Latin Mass in Las Vegas.—(Read full biography).

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President’s Corner

    PDF Comparison Chart • “Serious Problems with the Lectionary Translation”
    EARS BEFORE truly revolutionary changes were introduced by the post-conciliar reformers, Evelyn Waugh wrote (on 16 August 1964) to John Cardinal Heenan: “I think that a vociferous minority has imposed itself on the hierarchy and made them believe that a popular demand existed where there was in fact not even a preference.” We ask the kind reader— indeed, we beg you—to realize that those of us born in the 1940s and 1950s had no cognizance of Roman activities during the 1960s and 1970s. We were concerned with making sure we had the day’s bus fare, graduating from high school, taking care of our siblings, learning a trade, getting a job, courting a spouse. We questioned neither the nuns nor the Church.1 Do not believe for one instant any of us were following the liturgical machinations of Cardinal Lercaro or Father Bugnini in real time. Setting The Stage • To never question or resist Church authorities is praiseworthy. On the other hand, when a scandalous situation persists for decades, it must be brought into focus. Our series will do precisely that as we discuss the Lectionary Scandal from a variety of angles. We don’t do this to attack the Catholic Church. Our goal is bringing to light what’s been going on, so it can be fixed once and for all. Our subject is extremely knotty and difficult to navigate. Its complexity helps explain why the situation has persisted for such a long time.2 But if we immediately get “into the weeds” we’ll lose our audience. Therefore, it seems better to jump right in. So today, we’ll explore the legality of selling these texts. A Word On Copyright • Suppose Susie modifies a paragraph by Edgar Allan Poe. That doesn’t mean ipso facto she can assert copyright on it. If Susie takes a picture of a Corvette and uses Photoshop to color the tires blue, that doesn’t mean she henceforth “owns” all Corvettes in America. But when it comes to Responsorial Psalm translations, certain parties have been asserting copyright over them, selling them for a profit, and bullying publishers vis-à-vis hymnals and missals. Increasingly, Catholics are asking whether these translations are truly under copyright—because they are identical (or substantially identical) to other translations.3 Example After Example • Our series will provide copious examples supporting our claims. Sometimes we’ll rely on the readership for assistance, because—as we’ve stressed—our subject’s history couldn’t be more convoluted. There are countless manuscripts (in Greek, Hebrew, and Latin) we don’t have access to, so it would be foolish for us to claim that our observations are somehow the ‘final word’ on anything. Nevertheless, we demand accountability. Catholics in the pews are the ones who paid for all this. We demand to know who specifically made these decisions (which impact every English-speaking Catholic) and why specifically certain decisions were made. The Responsorial Psalms used in America are—broadly speaking—stolen from the hard work of others. In particular, they borrowed heavily from Father Cuthbert Lattey’s 1939 PSALTER TRANSLATION:
    *  PDF Download • COMPARISON CHART —We thank the CCW staff for technical assistance with this graph.
    Analysis • Although certain parties have been selling (!!!) that translation for decades, the chart demonstrates it’s not a candidate for copyright since it “borrows” or “steals” or “rearranges” so much material from other translations, especially the 1939 translation by Father Cuthbert Lattey. What this means in layman’s terms is that individuals have been selling a translation under false pretenses, a translation they don’t own (although they claim to). To make RESTITUTION, all that money will have to be returned. A few years ago, the head of ICEL gave a public speech in which he said they give some of “their” profits to the poor. While almsgiving is a good thing, it cannot justify theft. Our Constant Theme • Our series will be held together by one thread, which will be repeated constantly: “Who was responsible?” Since 1970, the conduct of those who made a profit by selling these sacred texts has been repugnant. Favoritism was shown toward certain entities—and we will document that with written proof. It is absolutely essential going forward that the faithful be told who is making these decisions. Moreover, vague justifications can no longer be accepted. If we’re told they are “making the translations better,” we must demand to know what specifically they’re doing and what specific criteria they’re following. Stay Tuned • If you’re wondering whether we’ll address the forthcoming (allegedly) Lectionary and the so-called ABBEY PSALMS AND CANTICLES, have no fear. We’ll have much to say about both. Please stay tuned. We believe this will end up being the longest series of articles ever submitted to Corpus Christi Watershed. To be continued. ROBERT O’NEILL Former associate of Monsignor Francis “Frank” P. Schmitt at Boys Town in Nebraska JAMES ARNOLD Formerly associated w/ King’s College, Cambridge A convert to the Catholic Church, and distant relative of J. H. Arnold MARIA B. Currently serves as a musician in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte. Those aware of the situation in her diocese won’t be surprised she chose to withhold her last name.
    1 Even if we’d been able to obtain Roman journals such as NOTITIAE, none of them contained English translations. But such an idea would never have occurred to a high school student or a college student growing up in the 1960s. 2 A number of shell corporations claim to own the various biblical translations mandated for Roman Catholics. They’ve made millions of dollars selling (!) these indulgenced texts. If time permits, we hope to enumerate these various shell corporations and explain: which texts they claim to own; how much they bring in each year; who runs them; and so forth. It would also be good to explore the morality of selling these indulgenced texts for a profit. Furthermore, for the last fifty years these organizations have employed several tactics to manipulate and bully others. If time permits, we will expose those tactics (including written examples). Some of us—who have been working on this problem for three decades—have amassed written documentation we’ll be sharing that demonstrates behavior at best “shady” and at worst criminal. 3 Again, we are not yet examining the morality of selling (!) indulgenced texts to Catholics mandated to use those same translations.
    —Guest Author
    “Music List” • 17th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I prepared for the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time (27 July 2025). 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 the feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Communion • “Ask & You Shall Receive”
    All of the chants for 27 July 2025 have been added to the feasts website, as usual under a convenient “drop down” menu. The COMMUNION ANTIPHON (both text and melody) are exceedingly beautiful and ancient.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Pope Pius XII Hymnal?
    Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Hybrid” Chant Notation?
    Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Antiphons Don’t Match?
    A reader wants to know why the Entrance and Communion antiphons in certain publications deviate from what’s prescribed by the GRADUALE ROMANUM published after Vatican II. Click here to read our answer. The short answer is: the Adalbert Propers were never intended to be sung. They were intended for private Masses only (or Masses without music). The “Graduale Parvum,” published by the John Henry Newman Institute of Liturgical Music in 2023, mostly uses the Adalbert Propers—but sometimes uses the GRADUALE text: e.g. Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (29 June).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

Re: Low Mass: “It is desirable that in read Masses on Sundays and feast-days, the Gospel and Epistle be read by a lector in the vernacular for the convenience of the faithful.”

— 1958 document, issued under Pope Pius XII

Recent Posts

  • PDF Comparison Chart • “Serious Problems with the Lectionary Translation”
  • “Music List” • 17th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
  • Flor Peeters In A Weird Mood?
  • Communion • “Ask & You Shall Receive”
  • Jeff’s Mother Joins Our Fundraiser

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