Gradual of the Basilica of Santa Cecilia

Gradual, Tropary, Sequentiary produced in 1071 by the archpresbyter of the Basilica of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, the 13th rione of Rome.

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About Matthew Frederes

Mr. Frederes is a software engineer, pilot, served as an organist for 31 years, and directed small parish choirs/scholas for 22 years. He and his wife have 12 children. —(Read full biography).

“Reminder” — Month of February (2025)

On a daily basis, I speak to people who have followed our blog for years yet don’t realize we publish a free newsletter. We have no endowment, no major donors, no savings, and refuse to run annoying ads. As a result, our mailing list is crucial to our survival. Signing up couldn’t be easier: simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Music List” • 5th Sunday (Ord. Time)

Some have expressed interest in perusing the “ORDER OF MUSIC” I prepared for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C (9 February 2025). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The OFFERTORY ANTIPHON—Pérfice gressus meos—strikes me as particularly beautiful.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Abbey Psalms & Canticles • Copyright?

A mildly disturbing “Triple C” (Confusion, Controversy, and Contradiction) reigns when it comes to the question of whether the so-called ABBEY PSALMS AND CANTICLES is a candidate for proprietary copyright. The morality question is clear-cut: it’s immoral to sell mandatory Mass texts for profit. (Entities which have done this in the past are obligated to make restitution.) But from a legal standpoint, serious questions have been raised. Without taking a position, this thorough article provides a summary of the issue.

—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).

—Corpus Christi Watershed

The Lofty Nature of This Goal

It is important above all that we never lose sight of our true goal as church musicians: the right worship of Almighty God. This is not a pious sentiment that should cause us to be lax about technical elements of music. Rather, the lofty nature of this goal is should motivate and inspire us to pursue the techne of musicianship with even greater zeal.

—Dr. Samuel Backman

Our Lady of Good Success Novena (+ Antiphon)

Today starts a Novena to Our Lady of Good Success. Curiously, there is an Antiphon included towards the end of each day’s prayers which looks very similar to this one.

—Veronica Brandt