It might be worth getting a definitive answer from some authoritative source about the liceity of singing the Gradual with an unofficial English text, unless someone has already done that.

Love. Love. Love.

Jeff,

This project is very, very exciting and I am so grateful for your work! This will be not only such a wonderful thing for those wishing to do the propers in the ordinary form of the Mass, but will save us poor music directors the oodles of time that goes into preparing worship aids for the texts.

I'm wondering something - is there a reason you've put (Ordinary Form) after the antiphon titles? It seems that the inclusion of the readings and antiphons (ordered according to the 74 graduale) only from the ordinary form would exclude this from use for the extraordinary form and so, presumably, people in the pew wouldn't be looking to this source as a subsitute for a hand missal for the EO. Could you save a bit of space on an already text-heavy page by omitting this?

Again, thank you for undertaking this gargantuan, but much-needed task.

Page footers would be helpful, and that would be a good place to put the "Ordinary Form" note.

For example:

Second Sunday of Advent (Year A, Ordinary Form) / 5
6 / Second Sunday of Advent (Year A, Ordinary Form)

Jeffrey, again — this is very, very exciting. Incredible, really! Finally… a resource like this from someone who "gets it."

Many insightful suggestions have already been offered here. Some thoughts of mine:

(1) Would you consider adding the Latin "title" to each of the propers… perhaps just as a prefix to the English text, like this?

Laetáre Ierúsalem Rejoice, O Jerusalem; and gather round, all you who love her; rejoice in gladness, after having been in sorrow; exult and be replenished with the consolation flowing from her motherly bosom. V. I rejoiced house of the Lord.

Or, maybe in italics next to the word "Introit" (or "Communion," or whatever), like how we see it in the Simple English Propers, and in Richard Rice's Communio with English Verses.

(2) Would you consider including the Responsorial Psalm in square-note notation? To me, this would make it appear all that much more "sacred" — distinct from what we see anywhere else.

An almost nitpicky idea:

(3) To indicate the verse on the Introit, can you get that little "Vx" symbol?

And a bigger question here:

(4) You're calling this a "hymnal"… but is that really what this is? It almost seems like a missal, with hymns added.

More thoughts later… I realize I'm being an "armchair quarterback" here, though. Bravo to you for all of this work!

Armchair quarterbacking, continued:

(5) The ornate artwork which delineates Year A vs. Year B, etc., is beautiful… but given how frequently they occur, I'm wondering if they're a bit too big. Certainly, I understand the need to distinguish between each of the years within the three-year cycle, but I'm wondering if that could be done in a slightly more understated manner. It would seem to me that the major distinction to be made is between each Sunday, with the A vs. B distinction being subordinate to that.

(6) Regarding the hymns (which you discuss on your "installment #2" thread), I noticed that you've indicated some of them as "possible entrance hymns" — but, you're also indicating the Introit text, of course, here in the readings & propers section. Is there a way you can clearly but quietly state (or clearly imply) that the Introit is the normative option?

(7) I'd like to echo a comment from one of the other threads regarding the cover artwork. Again, it's beautiful… but if possible, I would prefer a more muted, maybe monochromatic look.

(8) I can't wait to see the "Kyriale" section, plus whatever front matter you might include, too!

I believe the indication of where the short form of Sequence Lauda Sion begins deserves a line of its own, which would make it far clearer.

Since you do not allow downloading, I presume you do not want people to download these parts of the hymnal as PDF files. But notice (in case you are not aware of this) that if you have a PDF printer installed you can print your Scribd files to a PDF file, thus obtaining exactly what you get if download were allowed. I say this in case you really want to prevent anyone from getting an editable copy of what you are posting.

The general approach to layout is BEAUTIFUL.

I agree with other particular remarks made above, e.g., left-justify the psalm, add running headers or footers, etc. Obviously, in this Scriptural portion of the book, either page numbers or a number for each liturgy would be crucial so as to be able to announce easily where people should open to.

Glad to hear about the possible square-note edition.

I am unfamiliar with the 3rd Sunday of Advent, Year B Responsorial Psalm, "Fill In Later." Surely it is an ancient text. What is the source of that?

Jeffrey, a thought here about what Jenny and others said above about the words "Ordinary Form" after every instance of "Introit," "Offertory," and "Communion" as titles: I see how you're trying to reinforce the idea that "hey, this is the normative music for the 'modern' Mass — this isn't just some old nostalgic stuff being dusted off."

I really appreciate that. And I gather that that's intended by your choice of a title for the hymnal, too — the "Vatican II Hymnal." Good, good.

I'm wondering if there's another way to reinforce this idea, though, without repeating the words "Ordinary Form" throughout. Along those same lines, I'm wondering if you can avoid the words, 'can be sung in place of the Responsorial Psalm' (or even similar words) after every instance of "Gradual." Again, I'm concerned about elegance of the visual presentation, though I see you're trying to accomplish some much-needed catechesis here.

As has already been suggested, perhaps small footers might be best. (Or, maybe even just the word "or" in front of the word "Gradual" might do the trick.) In any case, I'm sure it'll look great, whatever you do.

And as I've already suggested, I'm curious if in the "front matter" of the volume, you might include some brief explanation of sacred music, and of the contents of your hymnal — might be especially helpful for those who are accustomed to 'glory & praise'-type music.

Oh, and another question here: Do you see a target page length for the entire volume?

I know you'll keep us posted on your progress!

PS -- Abundant quotations for the hymnal's introduction may be found in:

http://www.romancatholicsacredmusic.com/letterOnMusicMinistry.html

http://www.romancatholicsacredmusic.com/wswbsnB2.pdf

Peter

I like Noel's suggestion!

In terms of the discussion regarding the text after the title Gradual/introit/etc. (can be sung.....) I think that the suggestion of saying OR is better, especially as the hope is that more of the Church moves to make this the norm and regard the Responsorial Psalm as the lesser preferred choice. This would insure a longer life of the Missal/Hymnal itself. The current suggestive language is more in keeping with the transition that we are currently in rather than looking to the future where the Gradual, Introit, etc. will be the norm. It is just more succinct, direct, and to the point as opposed to gently suggesting or hinting.

Looks great and it is exciting to see this work for the benefit of so many.

Bravo - chris

looks great, the formatting, page layout etc. I especially like the graphics for the years A, B and C. They help draw the eye quickly to the right day and separate the readings.

Jeff — scratch what I said about "Offertory antiphons." My error.

Erik and Mark, please pray that I can find the time to do this! This is a great idea.