Communion Antiphon • “For Any Mass?”

Veronica Moreno · September 28, 2024

The GRADUALE ROMANUM says Psalm 33 can replace the proper Communion antiphon at any Mass. (The GRADUALE SIMPLEX says the same thing … in two separate places of the book.) I’ve posted a bright and clever arrangement of Psalm 33 in English and Latin. Rehearsal videos are also included. I hope you check it out!

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

About Veronica Moreno

Veronica Moreno is married to a teacher and homeschools five children. She has been cantor at her local Catholic parish for over a decade.—(Read full biography).

“Entrance Chant” • For Sunday (6-Oct-2024)

Here’s the ENTRANCE ANTIPHON (PDF)—in Gregorian notation on five lines—for the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time (6 October 2024) which is approaching quickly. Plainchant scholars will be interested in its inspiration: the Mode 4 version, including its use of ámbitu. (The ambitus in Gregorian terminology means “range.”) You can also download this organ accompaniment which corresponds to the vocalist score. If you enjoy rehearsal videos, you can listen to my recording by clicking here.

—Jeff Ostrowski

An Anglican “Mess”

If I live to be 100 years old, there’s something I’ll never understand. 70+ years ago, the Anglicans produced a plainchant collection in English. But they didn’t understand Gregorian Chant notation—as you can see by clicking here. The blank space indicates which notes are supposed to be elongated (morae vocis) and it’s mandatory. What a crying shame nobody explained things to them before they began their enormous project. What I really like about the Anglican collection is their use of “Thee” when addressing God. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to calling God “you.” Strangely, Monsignor Knox said he desperately wanted to use “you” in his Bible translation (but he wasn’t permitted to do that).

—Jeff Ostrowski

Most Magnificent Plainsong Kyrie?

Which—in your opinion—is the greatest setting of the KYRIE ELEYSON found in the official books? Some of my favorites are: (a) Kyrie X [similar to Orbis factor] “In Dominicis per annum” found in the Cantus ad libitum section; (b) Kyrie XVII “In Dominicis Adventus et Quadragesimae” [both versions]; (c) Kyrie X “Alme Pater”; (d) Kyrie II “Kyrie fons bonitatis”; (e) Kyrie IX “Cum jubilo”; (f) Kyrie III “Kyrie Deus sempiterne”; and (g) Kyrie IV “Cunctipotens Genitor Deus.” I doubt I could single out just one as “the greatest.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

This Coming Sunday’s Resp. Psalm

Visit the feasts website and examine the Responsorial Psalm REFRAIN for this coming Sunday [6-OCT-2024] which is the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B. Compare the official text (in Latin) to the “translation” given in the Spanish Lectionary. You’ll see the translators got it completely wrong. The 1970s “translations” by ICEL were notoriously heinous. Are those responsible for translating the Lectionary into Spanish striving to outdo them? Almost every psalm I’ve examined contains at least one major error.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Communion Antiphon • “For Any Mass?”

—Veronica Moreno

A Talk on the Importance of Chant

Back in January I gave a talk at Sacred Heart Parish in Grand Rapids, Michigan. They have a fantastic lecture series, and this was also in connection with their admirable project on the fifth centennial of Palestrina's birth. The talk is now available on Spotify, and I hope it will be of some interest to our readers. You can find the talk by clicking here.

—Dr. Charles Weaver

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About Veronica Moreno