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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

Re: Copyright Status of “Abbey Psalms & Canticles” (PDF Chart)

Jeff Ostrowski · November 4, 2024

N THE YEAR 2013, six years after CORPUS CHRISTI WATERSHED was founded, we adopted a policy making clear we would no longer respond to any copyright inquiries. We adopted this policy because we’d been burned too many times. People would write to us asking copyright questions—and we’d respond. Those people would then go online and twist our words. Why did they do this? Some were malevolent. Others, however, had a false understanding of copyright. No matter how patiently we tried to explain matters to them, it didn’t make any difference. Certain people have a belief in their head and nothing can change it. You can talk until you’re blue in the face, but it won’t make any difference. Such people are the reason for our policy.

Abbey Psalms & Canticles

Brief History • Over the past few months, there’s been considerable discussion about whether the Abbey Psalms and Canticles is under copyright. If you’re wondering what the “Abbey Psalms and Canticles” translation is, please research it on GOOGLE. (It would take too long to explain its provenance.) For the purposes of this article, all you need to know is that the USCCB claims the Abbey Psalms and Canticles will someday replace the translation of the Responsorial Psalms printed in USA lectionaries. Whether this will actually take place is anyone’s guess.*

Damage Control • The Abbey Psalms and Canticles seems to be an effort at “damage control” after the USCCB’s copyright scheme with the Revised-Revised Grail was revealed publicly. Essentially, the copyright for the mandatory psalter had been given to a privately owned, non-Christian company (GIA PUBLICATIONS). Anyone who wanted to celebrate Mass, reproduce the Mass texts, or even broadcast the Mass on television or radio had to first obtain permission (!) from the non-Christian company and pay them money. If control had been given to a Protestant (non-Catholic) organization, that would have caused scandal; and rightly so. The fact that full control of our mandatory liturgical texts was given to a non-Christian organization (!) is even more shameful. As you might imagine, these heinous actions caused public outrage when they became known. For the record, the managing editor of the Church Music Association of America published an article claiming the Revised-Revised Grail translation had also been embedded in the 3rd edition of the Roman Missal.

Considerable Discussion • I’ve already reminded readers that our long-standing policy forbids our giving copyright guidance—under any circumstances—so I won’t be revealing my opinion on this matter. Nevertheless, there’s been considerable discussion online vis-à-vis whether the Abbey Psalms and Canticles translation is a candidate for copyright. Our readers have a right to know what the argument is about. Here’s a chart I made showing common Catholic translations for PSALM 33:

*  PDF • COMPARISON CHART (“Abbey Psalms & Canticles”)

The Issue Described • If I sneak into the LOUVRE tomorrow and draw a mustache on Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, that doesn’t mean I suddenly gain copyright on the Mona Lisa. That’s not how copyright works, even though some publishers claim otherwise. To place the entire issue into a nutshell, the Abbey Psalms and Canticles is virtually identical to translations which exist already. Because it’s so similar, folks are demanding to know whether it can be placed under copyright. They argue that merely changing a word here and there is insufficient to copyright the translation. Consider the first verse of Psalm 33:

Douay-Rheims-Challoner:
I will bless the Lord at all times,
his praise shall be always in my mouth.

Revised Standard Version (Catholic Edition)
I will bless the Lord at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

Westminster Translation (1958)
I will bless the Lord at all times:
His praise shall be ever in my mouth.

Ladies of the Grail (1963)
I will bléss the Lórd at all tímes,
his práise álways on my líps;

The New American Bible
I will bless the Lord at all times;
his praise shall be always in my mouth.

Revised-Revised Grail Psalter
I will bless the Lord at all times;
praise of him is always in my mouth.

Abbey Psalms & Canticles
I will bless the Lord at all times,
praise of him is always in my mouth.

I could easily provide more examples, but hopefully you get the point.

Trolling Us? • Sometimes, it almost seems as if the people in charge are clowning us. For instance, in PSALM 28 they left everything the same except for one word. “Sat” they changed to “sits.” Are these people serious? Keeping liturgical musicians in suspense for twenty years … for changes like that? Are these people for real?

* For years, the USCCB claimed the Revised-Revised Grail translation was going to be printed in USA lectionaries. Some books, such as the WORSHIP IV HYMNAL (GIA Publications, 2011) attempted to “get a leg up on competition” by printing the Revised-Revised Grail in their books. But their plan backfired because the USCCB—it turns out—was being dishonest when they said the Revised-Revised Grail would appear in lectionaries. At some point, the USA lectionary itself may also be replaced or updated we are being told. It could be here (perhaps) as early as 2029. When the “new” lectionary was announced in 2012, Donald Cardinal Wuerl said: “The sooner we get started, the sooner some of you will live to see it.”

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

Filed Under: Articles, PDF Download Tagged With: Abbey Psalms and Canticles, New Lectionary Edition USA Last Updated: November 20, 2024

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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 • “14 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 14 September 2025) discusses OFFERTORY ANTIPHONS and contains a wonderful quote by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • Draft Copy (Pamphlet)
    A few days ago, I posted a draft copy of this 12-page pamphlet with citations about the laity’s “full, conscious, and active participation.” Its basic point or message is that choir directors should never feel embarrassed to teach real choral music because Vatican II explicitly ordered them to do that! We’ve received tons of mail regarding that pamphlet, with many excellent suggestions for improvement. Please feel free to chime in!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Entrance Chant” • 23rd (Ordinary Time)
    This coming Sunday, 7 September 2025, is the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). You can download the “Entrance Chant,” conveniently located at the feasts website. I also recorded a rehearsal video for it (freely available at the same website). The Communion Chant includes gorgeous verses in FAUXBOURDON. I attempted to create a rehearsal video for it, and it’s been posted at the feasts website, called by some: “church music’s best kept secret.”
    —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

“It will not be Rome to tell you what you should do, no: because you have the charism. …you have the Holy Spirit for this. If Rome were to begin to make the decisions it would be a blow to the Holy Spirit, who works in the particular Churches.”

— Pope Francis (27 March 2023)

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