A Catholic Core Repertoire

We've had one for 33 years

by Gary D. Penkala

Susan Benofy, Research Editor for Adoremus Bulletin, writes in the April 2007 edition:

The decision of the bishops to assemble a core repertoire and the anticipated introduction of a new English translation of the Mass provide an opportunity to reconsider the Jubilate Deo collection.

In 1974, Pope Paul VI sent this booklet to every bishop in the world as a "minimum chant repertoire for every parish." The pope asked, in his accompanying letter, Voluntati obsequens:

Would you, therefore, in collaboration with the competent diocesan and national agencies for the liturgy, sacred music and catechetics, decide on the best ways of teaching the faithful the Latin chants of Jubilate Deo and of having them sing them, and also of promoting the preservation and execution of Gregorian chant in the communities.

The pope told the bishops his intent in issuing the collection:

to make it easier for Christians to achieve unity and spiritual harmony with their brothers and with the living tradition of the past. Hence it is that those who are trying to improve the quality of congregational singing cannot refuse Gregorian chant the place which is due to it.

The 1963 Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, the 2002 General Instruction on the Roman Missal, and the 2007 Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Benedict XVI Sacramentum caritatis all affirm the primacy of Gregorian chant in the Roman Rite and call on leaders to ensure that the faithful know these chants.

Most of the chants in the booklet Jubilate Deo are not sung by even a small percentage of congregations in the United States. Perhaps with long-overdue support by the American bishops, with inclusion of this collection in a "core repertoire" document, with these being published across-the-board in every worship aid (including Gather and Music Issue), then American Catholics can have access to their rightful musical tradition.

Pope Paul VI offered this little collection to the world as a gift, allowing it to be reproduced and printed free of charge. There are several sources for the booklet:

In square-note Gregorian neums:

• Free, printable down-load from Saint Cecilia Schola Cantorum of Saint Michael Church (Auburn AL)
• excerpts by the Brandt Family (Australia)

In modern notation:

• Aquinas and More Catholic Goods SKU 20227
• GIA Publications GIA-1909
• OCP Publications 10770

Accompaniment book:

• Aquinas and More Catholic Goods SKU 20357
• GIA Publications GIA-1910

Contents of Jubilate Deo (1974)

1. Kyrie XVI
2. Gloria VIII – CNP Booklet of Chant, Volume 4
3. Chants in the Liturgy of the Word
4. Credo III – CNP Booklet of Chant, Volume 4
5. Response for the General Intercessions
6. Preface Dialogue
7. Sanctus XVIII
8. Mysterium fidei
9. Pater noster
10. Agnus Dei XVIII
11. Dismissal
     
12. O salutaris Hostia
13. Adoro te devote – CNP Booklet of Chant, Volume 3
14. Tantum ergo Sacramentum – CNP Booklet of Chant, Volume 2
15. Psalm 117 (116) – Laudate
16. Parce Domine – CNP Booklet of Chant, Volume 2
17. Da pacem
18. Ubi caritas – CNP Booklet of Chant, Volume 3
19. Veni Creator – CNP Booklet of Chant, Volume 3
20. Regina coeli – CNP Booklet of Chant, Volume 2
21. Salve Regina – CNP Booklet of Chant, Volume 3
22. Ave maris stella
23. Magnificat
24. Tu es Petrus
25. Te Deum