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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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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    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’ with regard to 1960s switch to vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Reminder” — Month of October (2025)
    Those who don’t sign up for our free EMAIL NEWSLETTER miss important notifications. Last week, for example, I sent a message about this job opening for a music director paying $65,000 per year plus benefits (plus weddings & funerals). Notice the job description says: “our vision for sacred music is to move from singing at Mass to truly singing the Mass wherein … especially the propers, ordinaries, and dialogues are given their proper place.” Signing up couldn’t be easier: simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Music List” • 27th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 5 October 2025, which is the 27th 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. Readers will want to check out the ENTRANCE CHANT posted there, which has a haunting melody (in the DEUTERUS MODE) and extremely powerful text.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “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
    “Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Fifty years ago, Dr. Theodore Marier made available this clever arrangement (PDF) of “Come down, O love divine” by P. R. Dietterich. The melody was composed in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (d. 1958) and named in honor of of his birthplace: DOWN AMPNEY. The arrangement isn’t a strict canon, but it does remind one of a canon since the pipe organ employs “points of imitation.” The melody and text are #709 in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Did they simplify these hymn harmonies?
    Choirs love to sing the famous & splendid tune called “INNSBRUCK.” Looking through a (Roman Catholic) German hymnal printed in 1952, I discovered what appears to be a simplified version of that hymn. In other words, their harmonization is much less complex than the version found in the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal (which is suitable for singing by SATB choir). Please download their 1952 harmonization (PDF) and let me know your thoughts. I really like the groovy Germanic INTRODUCTION they added.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“To suggest, even loosely, that Catholics walk a more or less similar path to God as other religions drains martyrdom of its meaning. Why give up your life for Christ when other paths may get us to the same God? Such a sacrifice would be senseless.”

— Archbishop Charles J. Chaput

Recent Posts

  • New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
  • “Reminder” — Month of October (2025)
  • “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
  • Involving Women in the Communion?
  • “Toward a More Sacred Style With Pastoral Charity” • Guest Article by Dr. Myrna Keough

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