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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

PDF Download • “Taste and see the goodness of the Lord” (Responsorial Psalm)

Jeff Ostrowski · October 13, 2020

HEN I COMPOSE settings of the Responsorial Psalm according to the method of the Chabanel Psalms, I assume that everyone will automatically know how they are intended to be performed. However, this is rather silly—because how can they know what’s inside my mind? I was recently asked to compose Responsorial Psalms for the First Mass of a (soon-to-be-ordained) Australian priest, and I thought it might be good to explain explicitly the correct method. I composed a brand new Chabanel tone, which uses a “pedal tone” on C-Natural in the Tenor:

Here is the score, which contains written instructions:

*  PDF Download • “Taste and See” (CHABANEL)
—Responsorial Psalm (Ordinary Form); Votive Mass the Sacred Heart.

*  PDF Download • Alleluia (FATHER LE MOYNE)
—Alleluia Verse (Ordinary Form); Votive Mass the Sacred Heart.


As you can see, there are six options when it comes to Votive Masses for the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the Ordinary Form:

*  PDF Download • Responsorial Psalm Options
—From the Ordo Lectionum Missae.

The priest made his choice, and I followed his request. For the record, I think the Missale Romanum Cum Lectionibus Ad Usum Fidelium made an error. Do you agree?

The United States of America Lectionary, on the other hand, seems to have done it correctly (as far as I can tell):

*  PDF Download • Page from the USA Lectionary

In the Ordinary Form, Anglophone countries each have different translations—which is insane. That’s one reason the Extraordinary Form is experiencing exponential growth. After all, why must Australia have a different Lectionary than the United States? Why must the United States have a different Lectionary than Canada? I am told Great Britain and South Africa have separate lectionaries, also. I don’t know about Singapore, Hong Kong, or the Philippines. To make matters worse, the USA has an “NAB” Lectionary which doesn’t match any Bible—and they are constantly making tiny changes here and there, even though they are not allowed to.

If the Responsorial Psalm is sung, the version from Australia (provided above) is approved for use in the dioceses of the United States of America. The same is the true of the Ted Marier Psalter; it can be sung (but not read) in dioceses of the United States of America. When it comes to “approved collections” for the United States, it’s important to remember that the USCCB overruled the GIRM in 2012 with regard to these approvals. They were challenged on this so-called “tacit approval,” but they held their ground.

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

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Filed Under: Articles, PDF Download Tagged With: Free Responsorial Psalms Organ Vocalist, Responsorial Psalm PDF Last Updated: October 13, 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

    “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
    “Corn” From Heaven?
    The Westminster Version of the Sacred Scriptures was produced by Roman Catholics in England and bears a 15 March 1958 IMPRIMATUR from the Archbishop of Westminster. Its IMPRIMI POTEST was given by the director of the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome. Sometimes words chosen by translators sound funny to American ears. For instance, one of our Responsorial Psalms has as its refrain: “The Lord gave them bread from heaven.” But the British version has “The Lord gave them corn from heaven.” Feel free to examine this with your own eyes. (It comes from Psalm 77.)
    —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

“A much greater source of anxiety to Us is the style of action of those who maintain that liturgical worship should shed its sacred character, who foolishly say we should substitute for sacred items & furnishings ordinary common things in daily use.”

— Pope Saint Paul VI (14 Oct 1968)

Recent Posts

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

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