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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

“Reader Feedback” • 9 November 2024

Corpus Christi Watershed · November 9, 2024

Jeff Ostrowski Writes: “We love receiving messages from our readers. The following came in response to a recent article about the “Spoken” propers. It’s no small feat to determine which articles will interest readers. The English versions of the ENTRANCE CHANT I’ve been posting seem to be appreciated. Each of them on average gets downloaded 2,200 times. Oh, how I wish I could convince 2,200 people to watch the (free) 51-minute introduction to my seminar.”

The following came from Harry M.
[We usually redact names for anonymity’s sake.]

EAR JEFFREY: I enjoyed your article which comments on the 1970 document attempting to justify different sets of propers (depending on whether the Mass is sung or recited). One fundamental thing to remember is that our scripture in the Latin Mass is always a translation from Hebrew, Greek, or Aramaic. And there are different translations into Latin. Indeed when Saint Jerome produced his translation he produced different drafts. When the Gradual was composed the texts of the antiphons were taken by the cantors in Rome from a different source from Saint Jerome’s final version, and in any case variants crept into that as copies were made (by hand of course). So even though the Graduale Triplex meticulously preserves the antiphon Sicut cervus, when the same text from Ps 41/42 occurs in a funeral procession it is Quemadmodum desiderat, and has been so for centuries. The same thing occurs in the Office, 2nd Vespers of Whit Sunday, Psalmody begins Dum complerentur and after the psalmody the Chapter Cum complerentur, though admittedly the difference is trivial. Sometimes the differences involve whole phrases because different ancient editors in Alexandria or Damascus had different texts. The case you highlight is one such. Editorial decisions are always difficult, and contentious. Have a look at what happened in the 1590s, if only at Wikipedia’s account of the Sixtine Vulgate.

The following is Jeff Ostrowski’s response:
[This response was posted on 9 November 2024.]

Where We Agree • In its footnotes, the 3rd edition of the Saint Edmund Campion Missal points out many discrepancies similar to those you reference. Several are a bit more pronounced; e.g. on ASH WEDNESDAY “Juxta vestíbulum” vs. “Inter vestíbulum.” Others are hardly worth mentioning; e.g. whether the OFFERTORY “Ad Te Levávi” omits the word “Dómine.” You speak of translations made directly from Hebrew, Greek, or Aramaic. I’m all too aware of such endeavors. Indeed, getting “closer to the original” is precisely how certain clerics justify ceaseless revisions to our liturgical translations. They cultivate a “perpetual state of revision”—and the instability has caused enormous harm to Catholics’ faith.

I Don’t Follow You • But what you have written has absolutely nothing to do with the Spoken Propers. (Unless I’ve failed to correctly understand what you wrote.)

Consider the COMMUNION ANTIPHON for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time:

What specifically was it about PSALM 118 that Dom Franquesa felt was deficient, scandalous, or unacceptable? Why was he so keen on getting rid of it? What possible justification could there be for such tinkering?

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Father Adalbert Franquesa Garrós, Sung Vs Spoken Propers Novus Ordo Last Updated: November 9, 2024

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President’s Corner

    Typo in the “Missale Romanum” (1962)
    The 1962 MISSALE ROMANUM was a transitional missal. It was on its way to becoming the 1970 version, but wasn’t there yet. It eliminated certain duplications, downplayed the Prayers at the Foot of the Altar, expanded the role of laymen, minimized the Last Gospel, made many items optional, and so forth. Father Valentine Young spotted many typos in the 1962 MISSALE ROMANUM, especially incorrect accents. The Offertory Antiphon for this coming Sunday (OF kalendar) contains an error, citing the wrong verse from Psalm 118. It should be 118:107b, not 118:154. If you read verse 154, you’ll understand how that error crept in. [In this particular case, the error pre-dates the 1962 Missal, since the 1940s hand-missal by Father Lasance also gets it wrong.]
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Music List” • 30th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 26 October 2025, which is the 30th 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 top-notch feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Little Encouragement?
    In the Gospel, our Savior tells about 10 lepers who were healed. Only one went back to give thanks. Precious few express gratitude, yet many have endless energy to complain. For that reason, I deeply appreciate receiving messages like the following, which arrived a few days ago (about the parish where I direct in Michigan): “Last Sunday, a couple I knew from Grand Rapids was at Mass at 10:00 a.m. I got a chance to talk to them after Mass. I wanted to let you know what they said about the choir. They were absolutely floored by our sound!!!!! They both said they could continuously listen to our choir and the beauty of it. They asked me: “Do you always sound like that?” And they were also very surprised at how packed the church was. They said it was nice for them to be in such a full church. I just thought you would be interested to know their thoughts about our choir.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “Our Father” • Musical Setting?
    Looking through a Roman Catholic Hymnal published in 1859 by Father Guido Maria Dreves (d. 1909), I stumbled upon this very beautiful tune (PDF file). I feel it would be absolutely perfect to set the “Our Father” in German to music. Thoughts?
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    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

Random Quote

“It is profitable for me that shame hath covered my face so I may seek consolation in Thee rather than in men.” (From the Imitation of Christ by Father Thomas à Kempis)

— Cardinal Merry del Val’s Prayer-Book

Recent Posts

  • PDF Downloads • Four (4) Simple Pieces in Harmony for Men’s Choirs
  • Typo in the “Missale Romanum” (1962)
  • “Music List” • 30th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
  • “Our Father” • Musical Setting?
  • Little Encouragement?

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