One does not have a choice of propers for the EF; you may not substitute any other texts for the prescribed ones. You may, however, sing those texts to simpler melodies. In the old days, it was quite common to sing the propers to psalm tones, such as you can see in the "Rossini propers" to be found on our web-site. These are far from ideal, but it is not a bad idea to make sure that whatever propers are sung in their real Gregorian form are done well. For Pentecost, I would really try to do the communion, which is such a unique piece. The sequence must be done, and it does not do so well in psalm tones; you might look to learning that. If I were you, I would sing through all the propers, and give them a couple of weeks or even a month, before deciding which ones to do and which ones to sing in a simpler form.

Thank you for your suggestions. (Wow! Dr. Mahrt answers questions on the board!) Using the psalm tones for part of the Propers is an excellent idea for us as beginners. Coincidentally, the Sequence was the first thing I noticed when I was perusing the Propers. I started yesterday :)

hmm, came out in 1967, before the Bugnini liturgy but after the 1965 transitional missal.

From a utilitarian standpoint, you might consider using organ accompaniment. It does work, and it can sound quite beautiful as well - if done right. That having been said, the following suggestions would sound good either way, but might work better with the organ.

1) The "Introit" is not all that difficult - the Psalm verse and Gloria Patri are already set to simple Psalm tones. The repeat of the Antiphon could also be done "recto tono" as shown in the Rossini book. This might sound more interesting with the organ than without, but it would save time, and move on to the "Kyrie".

2) The two "Alleluia" verses after the Epistle are beautiful, and I quite agree with Dr. Mahrt that the people can/should sit back and meditate to them. But here is a day that includes a Sequence - a rarity since the Council of Trent which edited thousands of Sequences out of the Mass and into history. This one is also know as the "Golder Sequence" because of its beauty and its ultimate structure as a Sequence hymn. It is a hymn, after all, and many congregations chant it even in the OF Mass, in either Latin or English. So this might be a good time to simplify the two Alleluias and concentrate on the Sequence. One way would be to use the melismatic first "Alleluia", but then use the proper Psalm tone for both Alleluia verses, then continue on to the Sequence.

3) The Offertory is not really difficult either. And it is short enough to be followed by a Latin motet or hymn, especially if there will be incense.

4) I also agree with Dr. Mahrt that the Communion Antiphon should be chanted in its melismatic form - it really is beautiful. We only have Low Mass every week at my parish, but I have been chanting (accompanying myself on the organ) the Introit as prelude music and the Communion before the congregation hymn for a couple of years now. I am almost positive that Psalm verses may be added in the EF Mass, so here is a suggestion: Chant the Antiphon as is; sing 1 Psalm verse in the appropriate Gregorian tone; chant another verse in a complimenting Anglican single chant. Repeat the Antiphon and add more verses, in pairs, as needed, always closing with the Antiphon once more. In a large church there should still be time for a Latin Communion hymn. Remember that the music can continue all the way through the ablutions, which are done only by the priest.

Again, all of the above can be sung without accompaniment, even the Anglican chant. But if you want some help putting tones together, and finding good, modal accompaniments, feel free to send me an email privately.

P.S. Pius XII, De musica sacra also authorizes the use of additional psalm verses for the introit and communion, and the melismatic verses of the offertory sung in the Middle Ages (now available in the Offertoriale triplex).