The Recovering Choir Director

This morning, the International Committee on English in the Liturgy released on their website “Music for the English Language Roman Missal: An Introduction,” which outlines the processes used to adapt the Roman-rite melodies and melodic formulas of the Mass to the new English translations.

While those who are familiar with chanted English in the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite find the chants for certain prayers semi-commonplace, I am particularly heartened by this passage (emphasis added):

A nice addition to the English Missal will be newly developed reading tones, one for each of the three readings of the Mass. They are all based on the Latin models, with necessary adjustments for natural rendition of the English text.

They illustrate the methods used for the Epistle, which seems to the most difficult formula to render into a workable English adaptation.

The results are done well, in my estimation.  The formulas for the Prophecies/Old Testament Readings and the Gospels are much simpler by comparison.

I note also that the melodic formulas for the readings may be used in those Extraordinary-form Masses that employ English for the readings.  That said, should not be taken as an endorsement or a condemnation of the practice of using vernacular for the readings.

See The Authentic Update for two interesting takes on other aspects of the Introduction, Fr. Zuhlsdorf’s blog for additional commentary, and future posts that delve into this introduction.