Cantrices

[Andreas_Hofer]

I was under the impression that as late as 1962 the propers could still only be chanted by men, but last Sunday at the TLM our cantor was absent and two women from the choir (I think the cantor may be the only male but, being well-conditioned by nuns I can never bring myself to look back to confirm this) chanted the Introit, Offertory, and Communion. Knowing that my priest is typically highly obedient in both rites, I figured I shouldn’t assume this was illicit, but I’m not aware of why it would be licit. Does anyone here know for sure?

 

[VociMike]

Interesting question. I know very little about the TLM. Where would this prohibition of women singing the Propers been found? In the Missal?

What did they used to do for the Masses of women religious - convents and whatnot? Of course they had to have a priest present, but did they also have to have men present to sing (or recite) the Propers?

 

[BobP123]

I was under the impression that as late as 1962 the propers could still only be chanted by men, but last Sunday at the TLM our cantor was absent and two women from the choir (I think the cantor may be the only male but, being well-conditioned by nuns I can never bring myself to look back to confirm this) chanted the Introit, Offertory, and Communion. Knowing that my priest is typically highly obedient in both rites, I figured I shouldn’t assume this was illicit, but I’m not aware of why it would be licit. Does anyone here know for sure?

Strict traditionalists would have a problem with this, to be sure. But even before Vatican II, women in choirs were very common.

 

[Andreas_Hofer]

I’m not really sure about the whole timeline of choral evolution, but I know that even having female voices in the choir at all is a product of the most recent quarter of ecclesiastical history, that because singing was considered a clerical function and the clerical hold on singing has only slowly been loosened over time.

 

[rwoehmke]

I’m not really sure about the whole timeline of choral evolution, but I know that even having female voices in the choir at all is a product of the most recent quarter of ecclesiastical history, that because singing was considered a clerical function and the clerical hold on singing has only slowly been loosened over time.

I think you are correct. I do think in my earliest memories of Mass (1940’s) that a female organist/cantor sung those parts.