substituting hymns for propers

Jeff Ostrowski · February 17, 2025

PDF Download • Common Texts for the Gospel Acclamation (“Alleluia”)

For many years, this situation embarrassed me.

Guest Author · February 9, 2015

“No Approval Needed for Substitute Songs” says USCCB • Exclusive Documentation

“After six months and 70+ letters, I received a letter from the chairman of Bishops’ Committee on the Liturgy.” —Dan Craig

PDF Download • “Chabanel Tones”

Many have requested a file containing all the different tones used on the Father Noël Chabanel website. I finally found time to assemble all of them into a single PDF file (which is 3 pages long). If this interests you, feel free to download the PDF score.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Entrance Chant” • 7th Sunday (Ord. Time)

You can download the ENTRANCE ANTIPHON in English for the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time (23 February 2025). Corresponding to the vocalist score is this free organ accompaniment. This English adaptation uses mode 5, as does the authentic Gregorian Chant version, which formerly was used in a rather surprising place (viz. the 1st Sunday after Pentecost). If you’re someone who enjoys rehearsal videos, this morning I attempted to sing it while simultaneously accompanying my voice on the pipe organ.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Reader Feedback” • 11 February 2025

A priest in Washington D.C. sent us the following message: “Your Psalm tones and harmonizations are both accessible yet subtly brilliant. I am so grateful for how you have improved the quality of my parish’s liturgy.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

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