SACRA CONGREGATIO PRO CULTU DIVINO

Prot. N. 2300/74

DECRETUM

Cantus faciliores ad Ordinem et ad Proprium Missae
spectantes publici iuris facti sunt Kyriali simplici, anno
1964, et Graduali simplici, anno 1967, ad obtemperanda
praecepta Constitutionis de sacra Liturgia Concilii Vaticani II
de paranda editione simpliciores gregorianos
modos continente in usam minorum ecclesiarum (n. 117).

Interim, post instaurationem Calendarii Romani
generalis, libri Psalmorum secundum Novam Vulgatam
et librorum liturgicorum pro celebratione Missae, nova
ordinatio cantuum Gradualis Romani facta est Ordine
Cantus Missae, anno 1972. Iuxta quam etiam emendanda
et complenda erant Graduale simplex et Kryriale simplex,
quae nunc in unum volumen eduntur.

Hanc ergo novam editionem Gradualis simplicis, a
Summo Pontifice PAULO VI approbatam, Sacra Congregatio
pro Cultu Divino nunc emittit et typicam eam
declarat ut adhiberi possit in sacris celebrationibus iuxta
normas in ipso Graduali simplici traditas.

Contriariis quibuslibet minime obstandtibus.

Ex aedibus Sacrae Congregationis pro Culto Divino,
die 22 novembris 1974, in memoria sanctae Caeciliae.

Iacobus Robertus Card. KNOX
Praefectus

+A. BUGNINI
Archiep. tit. Diocletianen.
A Secretis

One may wonder if the vast and unwieldy proliferation of psalm responses--intended to be sung by the congregation, remember--in the N.O. actually increases congregational participation. Having to learn to sing a response that might not be heard for another three years does not seem to be all that user friendly. The seasonal route, as found especially in the G.S. and B.F.W. seems to be the preferable route in terms of according with S.C.

A provisional collection appeared for practical use in 1965 during the fourth session of the Second Vatican Council (Missæ in quarto periodo consilii oecumenici Vaticani II celebrandæ, Vatican City, 1965). [...] The content comprises thirteen different Mass formularies. Three of these Masses contain text borrowed from the Graduale Romanum. The remaining ten Mass formularies have been taken from the Graduale Simplex.

Simple Gradual

Although the precise contents of the forthcoming Graduale Simplex are not known at the present time, the
parts already published, especially for use during the Masses of the Council in 1965, make the following
description possible.

The Constitution on the Liturgy contains the statement: "It is desirable also that an edition [of the books
of Gregorian chant] be prepared containing simpler melodies, for use in small churches" (art. 117). The
first example of this was found in the Variationes for Holy Week (March 7, 1965). This booklet provided
simpler chants for the Chrism Mass of Holy Thursday as alternatives to the full Proper chants of the Roman
Gradual and Roman Missal: introit antiphon with eight verses of psalm 4; gradual responsory with ten verses
of psalm 32; a hymn in place of the offertory antiphon and verses; communion antiphon with twelve verses
of psalm 44.

A similar pattern is followed in the booklet prepared for the Masses at the daily general congregations of
the Council, although this booklet was limited to use at the Council. It is entitled Missae in Quarta Periodo
Concilii Oecumenici Vaticani II Celebrandae and contains seven formularies of Proper chants for Masses of
the Holy Spirit (because of the exceptional rule that the votive Mass of the Holy Spirit would be ordinarily
celebrated before the daily congregations), and formularies for the September ember days, Advent, feasts
of the Blessed Virgin Mary, apostles, martyrs, and confessors.

In general these thirteen series of alternative Proper chants follow the pattern described above for the
Chrism Mass. Between the lessons, however, both a responsorial psalm (a brief response added to four or
five psalm verses) and an alleluia (threefold alleluia repeated after two psalm verses) are given, according
to the occasion.

Since the conciliar Masses for which this booklet was prepared were celebrated on weekdays, it contained
no examples of the Proper chants for the Sundays of the various seasons, although these are the more
significant part of the Simple Gradual itself.

The latter, which is to be published in the next few months, may be described as providing simple Latin
antiphons and melodies for the four Proper chants of Mass. Without changing or suppressing the full texts
of the Roman Gradual and Roman Missal, they will offer alternatives for sung Masses. Because one formulary
of Proper chants will suffice for several Sundays, for example, for the Sundays after Easter, the variety will
not be beyond the capacity of ordinary choirs, with easy responses to be sung by the congregation. The addition
of psalm verses will provide sufficient accompaniment, for example, to the offertory rite. It will also give
sufficient stress to the period between the biblical readings.

Because the Simple Gradual will be in Latin and in Gregorian chant, it will not be immediately or directly
useful for sung Masses in the vernacular languages. It will, however, be a sound pattern for similar books in
the vernacular for choirs and people, according to the needs of each country or language group.

Newsletter
BISHOPS' COMMITTEE ON THE LITURGY
SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER, 1972 Vol. 8/Nos. 9-10

Sacramentary for Sundays--Publication Information

The publication of the provisional Sacramentary for Sundays, after unavoidable delays, took place in August. The volume, originally advertised as comprising 300 pages, turned out to be 400 pages. This has made necessary a publication price of $7.50 per copy; bulk orders of 25 copies at $112.50 ($4.50 per copy). Orders at the pre-publication price have now been filled, and the number of copies in print is limited.

[Based upon the publication of the Roman Missal of Paul VI, the English Sacramentary for Sundays is for common use throughout the United States. While the prayers of the 1964 sacramentary may continue to be used, the new provisional sacramentary may be used in its place. Of special interest is its extensive introduction. A careful reading of the introduction will be a great aid to understanding the new order of Mass and the presidential role within the eucharistic celebration. The following paragraphs are excerpted from the section, "How to Use This Sacramentary."]

Introductory Rite
[...]

Sunday Renewal of Baptism
[...]

Opening Prayer
[...]

Invitatory and Silence
[...]

Texts of the Opening Prayer
[...]

Entrance Antiphon

Although the sacramentary is a book of presidential prayers said by the priest, for the sake of completeness this edition does contain the brief sung antiphons of the entrance and communion processions. These are printed in smaller type and to one side in order to indicate that they are not ordinarily said by the priest and indeed are not parts of a sacramentary.

The General Instruction takes for granted that there will be singing at the entrance of the priest and other ministers (and at the communion rite; cf. nos. 26, 56, 83, 119), certainly in the Sunday celebration of the Eucharist. When the antiphons are set to music, they may be used for this purpose--i.e., as refrains to psalms. Ordinarily, however, it is expected that full use will be made of the decision to employ appropriate substitutes sung by the congregation with a cantor or choir. For the United States, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops has given the criteria for texts to be sung as entrance songs. (See "Notes to the General Instruction, no. 26, included in editions of the Order of Mass.)

Only in the absence of song is the entrance antiphon used as a spoken or recited text. Since these antiphons are too abrupt for communal recitation, it is preferable that the priest (or the deacon, other minister, or commentator) adapt the antiphon and incorporate it in the thematic presentation of the Mass of the day. After the initial greeting, "the priest, deacon, or other minister may very briefly introduce the Mass of the day" (Order of Mass, no. 3). The adaptation of the text of the entrance antiphon for this purpose is suggested by the Congregation for Divine Worship (Instruction on particular Calendars and Offices, June 24, 1970, no. 40a).

The entrance antiphons of the new Roman Missal are usually related to the particular season or feast; on ordinary Sundays they do not have a clear relationship to the Mass formulary. As already indicated, the antiphon will be omitted on almost all Sundays and other occasions when it is expected that there will be an entrance song or hymn.

Liturgy of the Word
[...]

Liturgy of the Eucharist
Prayer over the Gifts
[...]

Eucharistic Prayer
[...]

Prefaces of the Eucharistic Prayer
[...]

Choices of Prefaces
[...]

Communion Antiphon

The communion antiphon, although it is not ordinarily to be said by the priest, has been included for completeness. The Order of Mass (no. 108) and the General Instruction call for singing during the communion of the priest and people, to "express the union of the communicants who join their voices in a single song, show the joy of all, and make the communion procession an act of brotherhood" (no. 56i). The National Conference of Catholic Bishops has provided criteria for texts to be used (see "Notes to the General Instruction" in editions of the Order of Mass, no. 56i). For use of the communion antiphon if there is no singing, see above, "Opening Antiphon."

Prayer after Communion
[...]

Concluding Rite
[...]

Rite of Blessing and Dismissal
[...]

Blessing and Sprinkling of Holy Water at Sunday Masses
[...]

Antiphons Outside the Easter Season
[...]

Antiphons During the Easter Season
[...]

General Sacramental Absolution
[...]

Prayers We Have in Common
[...]

New Publications: U.S. Sunday Lectionary and Canadian Hymnal
[...]

Liturgical Ministries
[...]