At the Vatican: Latin responsorial psalm
  • smvanroodesmvanroode
    Posts: 1,089
    Browsing through the booklet for Ash Wednesday as it will be celebrated at the Vatican later today, I noticed the responsorial psalm.

    I hoped to see the gradual from the Graduale Romanum, as we have heard on many recent occasions, but the Latin responsorial psalm from the Lectionarium was used instead. The music, however, must be a new composition because I cannot find it in any of my chant books:

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    It has been in use since 2011. I suppose it was modelled after the mode VI antiphon Miserere mei, Deus.

    It always struck me that the responsorial psalms from the Latin Lectionary, even though it is recommended that they are sung, don't have any music associated with it. May we one day see a complete repertory of the Latin responsorial psalms?
    Thanked by 2CHGiffen SkirpR
  • Pax
    Posts: 14
    So it didn't exist in 2013... any idea if this repertory of Latin Responsorial Psalms exists today?
  • monasteryliturgistmonasteryliturgist
    Posts: 508
    The best we have is what is found in the Graduale Simplex but it does not cover the entire lectionary- they are seasonal.
  • MatthewRoth
    Posts: 3,210
    I was also not thrilled with the psalm at the papal funeral…like, why not stick to a Gregorian tone? and why not alternatim?
    Thanked by 1monasteryliturgist
  • smvanroodesmvanroode
    Posts: 1,089
    The responsorial psalm at the pope’s funeral wasn’t anything new. In 2005, 2023 and 2025 the same Psalm 23(22) was sung from the Graduale simplex (In loco pascuæ ibi me collocavit).
  • GerardH
    Posts: 620
    Hugely ironic that the Graduale Simplex in usum minorum ecclesiarum seems to get the most use at the most maior ecclesia in the entire Church.
    Thanked by 4igneus Chant_Supremacist trentonjconn ServiamScores
  • MatthewRoth
    Posts: 3,210
    Steven I think that I was pretty clear that not using a Gregorian tone was the problem. The antiphon is fine, if we must use a responsorial psalm.

    But as to the other point yeah we should use the gradual. What are we doing here? Goofing off.
  • smvanroodesmvanroode
    Posts: 1,089
    Sorry, I completely misunderstood you. I agree that it would have been better if the psalm verses were sung according to GS. If your choir is able to sing elaborate polyphonic verses, the Gradual would surely no problem.
    Thanked by 1tomjaw
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