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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

Now Online! • “Rare Latin + English Missal” (Burns and Oates, 1961) — 1,737 pages

Jeff Ostrowski · August 18, 2025

N TERMS OF sheer beauty—its dark printing that hasn’t faded in more than half a century; its luscious red ink used on every page (not just the ORDO MISSAE); its meticulous type-setting arrangement with Latin alongside English—this Missal was peerless until the Edmund Campion Missal, 3rd edition appeared 80+ years later. Nobody knows who was in charge of this edition, nor who wrote its elegant translations. They are based upon the majestic Bible translation by Monsignor Knox, but they have been (rightly) adjusted to fit the variant used in the traditional Proprium Missae. The fabulous translation by Monsignor Knox was (inexplicably) not chosen for this edition, but that can be found—printed with sumptuous full color—in the Campion, 3rd edition. I’d give anything to know who was responsible for creating this Missal. Whoever edited the propers and orations was truly educated. Consider the lofty language used for the INTROIT on the 13th Sunday after Pentecost:

Bethink thee, Lord, of thy covenant;
wilt thou leave us quite forgotten,
souls unbefriended but for thee?
Bestir thyself, O Lord, to vindicate
thy own cause, and do not neglect
the plea of thy suppliants.

Our blog contributors, Matthew Frederes and Cynthia Ostrowski, collaborated to make this entire book freely available to the entire world without even a login:

*  Complete Download • 1961 Missal
—“The Missal in Latin and English” (London, 1961).

Summary • What can I say about this fantastic production? It’s probably best to let its 1,737 pages speak for it. As I mentioned, I’d give anything to find out the name of its editor, a priest (most likely) who painstakingly crafted each marvelous translation—INTROIT, COLLECT, GRADUAL, etc.—into English. The Holy Week alterations by Pope Pius XII are included, so you’ll notice the Renewal of Baptismal Promises given in both Latin and English. On page 374, there’s a splendid English translation of “CRUX FIDELIS” which I’d never encountered before. It’s extremely ‘British’ but glorious. Without question, this is one of the rarest (and most valuable) treasures our organization has ever made available to the world.

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

Filed Under: Articles, PDF Download Last Updated: August 18, 2025

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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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President’s Corner

    2-Voice Arr. • “Creator of the Starry Height”
    Do you direct a choir consisting of women or children only? (Some call this a “treble” choir.) Download a two-voice arrangement of Creator of the Starry Height set to the tune of IOANNES by clicking here and then scrolling to the bottom. In our times, this hymn is normally used during ADVENT, and the Latin title is: Cónditor alme síderum. It’s important to say “cónditor”—placing the accent on the antepenult—because ‘condítor’ in Latin means “one who embalms the dead.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Equal Voices” Choir Pieces
    My colleague, CORRINNE MAY, has posted some delightful compositions for equal voices: that is, choirs consisting of all men or all women. Included there are settings of the “Ave Maria” and “Tantum Ergo.” They strike me as relatively simple and not excessively lengthy. (In other words, within reach of volunteer singers.) Even better, all the scores have been made available as instant PDF downloads, completely free of charge. Bravo!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    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

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

Nothing should be allowed that is unworthy of divine worship, nothing that is obviously profane or unfit to express the inner, sacred power of prayer. Nothing odd or unusual is allowable, since such things, far from fostering devotion in the praying community, rather shock and upset it—and impede the proper and rightful cultivation of a devotion faithful to tradition.

— Pope Paul VI • 10/13/1966

Recent Posts

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  • A Practical Method of Projecting Solfege for Chant
  • PDF Downloads • Four (4) Simple Pieces in Harmony for Men’s Choirs

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