The Seven ‘Ad Libitum’ Antiphons: A Gateway to the Gregorian Propers

Mark Haas · November 12, 2026

In many respects, they taught our choirs how to crawl before learning to walk, and how to walk before learning to run.

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

About Mark Haas

Mark Haas is a composer and speaker whose music has been sung in over 600 parishes and 10 countries. He serves as the Music Director at Ave Maria Parish in Ave Maria, Florida where he lives with his wife and seven children.—(Read full biography).

“Reprehensible Rhymes” • (1955 Hymnal)

It really does seem as though this gentleman was only considered an ‘expert’ in Roman Catholic hymnody when compared to others…

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—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • “Singers’ Booklet”

The Communion antiphon this week is the powerful “Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids.”

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—Jeff Ostrowski

Feast of All Saints (Nov. 1st)

The formatting of this booklet is ‘messy’—but it’s only ever seen by the singers (not the congregation).

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—Jeff Ostrowski

Preface of Saint Joseph (added by the pope)

You can see the “Præfatio de Sancto Joseph” inserted directly into the priest’s missal.

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—Jeff Ostrowski

“Predictable Rhymes?” • A Follow Up

We received considerable correspondence regarding my article, Two Ways to Defile a Hymn. More specifically, what really raised certain people’s hackles was its follow-up article dealing with the keyboard accompaniment for the CHRIST THE KING HYMNAL. But to quote Eliza Doolittle: “Have I said anything I oughtn’t?” Please examine this PDF file and see whether you agree. Were the editors of the BRÉBEUF HYMNAL incorrect to insist upon sophisticated and clever rhymes, rather than mind-numbingly predictable rhymes?

—Jeff Ostrowski

‘Ould’ But Not Good

Dom Samuel Gregory Ould (note the spelling) was a Benedictine monk at FORT AUGUSTUS ABBEY in Scotland. As musician, organist, and composer, Dom Ould was highly regarded. Moreover, he was considered an authority on Gregorian Chant. But not everything found in an old book—or, in this case, an “Ould” book—is necessarily praiseworthy. Consider this page from Dom Ould’s hymnal. Do you see the rhymes? They offend severely by ABR (“Abuse By Reuse”) and are utterly predictable. In my recent article—Two Ways to Defile a Hymn—I addressed this topic.

—Jeff Ostrowski

The Seven ‘Ad Libitum’ Antiphons: A Gateway to the Gregorian Propers

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