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Corpus Christi Watershed

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” • 19 November 2024

Jeff Ostrowski · November 19, 2024

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

EAR CCW TEAM: Good morning, I hope this email finds you well. My name is [redacted], and I’m currently gathering materials for a newly ordained priest. Your website has been an invaluable resource in finding materials for singing the Holy Mass in Latin. Thank you for the excellent work you do in preserving and promoting this sacred tradition. For some weeks now, I’ve been searching for musical scores of the Canon Missae in Cantu (“Eucharistic Prayer I”), but unfortunately, I haven’t been able to locate them. I have consulted sources such as GREGOBASE and several PDFs of the GRADUALE ROMANUM, but without success. I’m reaching out in the hope that you might know where I could find these scores. It would mean a great deal to provide this as a gift to my priest friend. Thank you in advance for your assistance, and I greatly appreciate the work you continue to do.

The following is Jeff Ostrowski’s response:
[This response was posted on 19 November 2024.]

The Answer • Beginning on page 1915 of Volume 1 of the special PDF files we posted in 2013, you will find what you seek. Indeed, all four Eucharistic prayers are given there in musical notation.

Jeff’s (Unsolicited) Opinion • That being said, it might be important to remember that it’s quite “untraditional” to sing the Eucharistic Prayer. Throughout the entire history of the Catholic Church this was never done—until the 1970s. Indeed, the person responsible for all the liturgical reforms of the 1960s (viz. CARDINAL LERCARO) declared in a public letter dated 2 March 1965 that priests who pray the Eucharistic Prayer in an audible voice commit an extremely grave liturgical abuse. For many centuries, the Canon was said in a quiet voice: sotto voce. (Cardinal Lercaro was put in charge of all the liturgical reforms by Pope Saint Paul VI.) The 1970s was very much a liturgical low point; the order of the day was “change for the sake of change.” Someday, all this will have to be sorted out.

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Cardinal Giacomo Lercaro Consilium President, CCWatershed Feedback, Reader Feedback Corpus Christi Watershed Last Updated: November 19, 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

    Cardinal Ranjith on “Active Participation”
    From 2005–2009, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith served as Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. He was considered ‘papabile’ during the last conclave. On 8 December 2008, he wrote this powerful statement concerning Gregorian Chant, participatio actuosa, celebration “ad orientem,” and other subjects. When it comes to the question of what “sacred” means, Monsignor Robert A. Skeris provides a marvelous answer.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Music List” • 22nd in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 31 August 2025, which is the 22nd 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 spectacular feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “The Worm That Dieth Not”
    My pastor asked me to write a column for our parish bulletin with reflections on the sacred liturgy and church music. In my most recent article, I discuss “The Worm That Dieth Not.” At this website, you can access it conveniently; simply scroll down to the one dated 31 August 2025.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    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
    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

Random Quote

Bishops have a duty towards both wise and foolish. They have to rouse the devotion of the carnal people with material ornament, since they are incapable of spiritual things.

— St. Bernard of Clairvaux (†1153)

Recent Posts

  • Cardinal Ranjith on “Active Participation”
  • Exec. Director of ICEL weighs in on our series • “PDF comparison chart” included
  • “Music List” • 22nd in Ordinary Time (Year C)
  • Brave Schola Director Posts ‘Live’ Recording
  • “Cracker Barrel & Catholicism” • Logos and Lessons

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