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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

A Photograph “Progressive” Liturgists Cannot Abide

Jeff Ostrowski · November 18, 2014

674 Montini Cappa Magna Paul VI 01 ROGRESSIVE liturgists love Blessed Paul VI because he made sweeping changes to the liturgy. They have been desperately hoping Pope Francis will modify the liturgy further, but Francis hasn’t made any changes. On the right is an image of Bishop Montini wearing Cappa Magna, a garment which causes inexplicable panic in some… Perhaps an intelligent reader can confirm that Montini was a Cardinal at the time this photo was taken.

Some assert that bishops should no longer wear traditional vesture because Paul VI abolished the Papal Court (and with it certain garments). They claim that such vestments smack of secular garments—such as what an ancient prince might wear—and must be forbidden. The problem is, these same folks have no problem with bishops and priests dressing in lay clothes! 1

Many do not realize that Blessed Paul VI was a close advisor to Pius XII. Can you pick out Msgr. Giovanni Battista Montini in these images? (The final image shows him wearing Cappa Magna as bishop.)

670 Montini Pius XII 669 Montini Pius XII 667 Montini Pius XII 665 Montini Pius XII 673 Paul VI Cappa Magna

UPDATE:

FrGuy wrote: “Both photos of Montini in the Cappa Magna were taken when he was a cardinal. In the full length photo you’ve identified as him when he was a bishop that’s incorrect. You can tell he was a Cardinal because 1) he’s wearing red shoes a privilege of cardinals 2) there is a gold tassel hanging from his sash (fascia). This was also a privilege for cardinals. Bishops used to have a purple tuft on theirs. 3) there is no pom-pom on the biretta. Bishops’ birettas have pom-poms. Keep in mind that in the old days there were occasions when cardinals wore purple as well as bright scarlet (penitential days). In both photos Montini is a Cardinal.”



NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1   In other words, they will allow clerics to dress in secular garments so long as they’re not traditional.

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Cappa Magna Liturgical Vestment, Giovanni Battista Montini CAPPA MAGNA, Pope Paul VI Advisor Pius XII Photographs, Pope Paul VI Wearing Cappa Magna Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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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

    Using “Ye” Vs. “You” Correctly
    Using “Ye” vs. “You” is rather tricky, because it depends upon which era one is trying to recreate—if that makes any sense. In other words, the rules haven’t always been the same for these two. Nevertheless, Father Philip George Caraman (the legendary Jesuit scholar) gives us a masterclass using Saint Luke’s Gospel. Father Caraman was close friends with Monsignor Ronald Knox, Evelyn Waugh, and Sir Alec Guinness.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Pope Leo XIV Has Announced…”
    My pastor asked me to write brief 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 most recent article speaks about the recent announcement by Pope Leo XIV, which does have an impact on church musicians. Scheduled for publication on 2025 08 10th, it’s called: “Pope Leo XIV Has Announced…”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Chants” • 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time
    All the chants for 3 August 2025—which is the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)—have been added to the feasts website, as usual under a convenient “drop down” menu. The COMMUNION ANTIPHON (from the book of Wisdom) is stunning. That feast website has been called “the best kept secret of Church music.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    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
    Antiphons Don’t Match?
    A reader wants to know why the Entrance and Communion antiphons in certain publications deviate from what’s prescribed by the GRADUALE ROMANUM published after Vatican II. Click here to read our answer. The short answer is: the Adalbert Propers were never intended to be sung. They were intended for private Masses only (or Masses without music). The “Graduale Parvum,” published by the John Henry Newman Institute of Liturgical Music in 2023, mostly uses the Adalbert Propers—but sometimes uses the GRADUALE text: e.g. Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (29 June).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“Participation” in the Mass does not mean hearing our own voices. It means God hearing our voices. Only He knows who is “participating” at Mass. I believe, to compare small things with great, that I “participate” in a work of art when I study it and love it silently.

— Evelyn Waugh

Recent Posts

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  • “Pope Leo XIV Has Announced…”
  • “Chants” • 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time
  • “Corn” From Heaven?

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