Truncating the Psalm?

[Pioro]

Hi,

I signed up for the forums just to ask ONE question - and that was about three hours ago. I thought I should search first, to make sure I wasn’t duplicating a thread, and found so many interesting topics in Liturgy and Sacraments that I got lost reading. I knew it would be dangerous here! But I also know that somebody out there has the answer.

Here’s the question: Is the priest every allowed to truncate the psalm in Mass? I refer to a priest who NEVER chants more than two verses of the psalm no matter if it’s three verses or five or six. He does two, and then he moves on.

I can’t find an answer for precisely THIS issue. I know that there are long and short forms of Gospels and some readings; I know that there are days when the priest can choose among readings. I know that the priest cannot outright delete the psalm.

But can he just cut it off after two verses? We’ve had two priests in my parish who do this, and it bugs me.

I don’t speak the local language where I am, so it would help if someone could give me ‘chapter and verse’ from some Church document so I could find it in the local language.

I’m sure that he can’t do this. I work with an English-speaking priest who is assiduously faithful to the sacramentary and he said that the priest can’t cut out any part of the readings on his own initiative. I mentioned this issue to my confessor here, who also speaks English and happens to be a bishop - and he simply e-mailed back that I should bring it up with the parish priest (pastor). He didn’t make a comment on the various abuses I mentioned (this was one issue among several).

If someone can give me documentation that truncating the psalm is not allowed, I’d appreciate it.

Thanks!

 

[benedictgal]

Hi,

I signed up for the forums just to ask ONE question - and that was about three hours ago. I thought I should search first, to make sure I wasn’t duplicating a thread, and found so many interesting topics in Liturgy and Sacraments that I got lost reading. I knew it would be dangerous here! But I also know that somebody out there has the answer.

Here’s the question: Is the priest every allowed to truncate the psalm in Mass? I refer to a priest who NEVER chants more than two verses of the psalm no matter if it’s three verses or five or six. He does two, and then he moves on.

I can’t find an answer for precisely THIS issue. I know that there are long and short forms of Gospels and some readings; I know that there are days when the priest can choose among readings. I know that the priest cannot outright delete the psalm.

But can he just cut it off after two verses? We’ve had two priests in my parish who do this, and it bugs me.

I don’t speak the local language where I am, so it would help if someone could give me ‘chapter and verse’ from some Church document so I could find it in the local language.

I’m sure that he can’t do this. I work with an English-speaking priest who is assiduously faithful to the sacramentary and he said that the priest can’t cut out any part of the readings on his own initiative. I mentioned this issue to my confessor here, who also speaks English and happens to be a bishop - and he simply e-mailed back that I should bring it up with the parish priest (pastor). He didn’t make a comment on the various abuses I mentioned (this was one issue among several).

If someone can give me documentation that truncating the psalm is not allowed, I’d appreciate it.

Thanks!

sorry for the frustration you are experieincing. Here is what RS says in general about the Mass:

[11.] The Mystery of the Eucharist “is too great for anyone to permit himself to treat it according to his own whim, so that its sacredness and its universal ordering would be obscured”.27 On the contrary, anyone who acts thus by giving free rein to his own inclinations, even if he is a Priest, injures the substantial unity of the Roman Rite, which ought to be vigorously preserved,28 and becomes responsible for actions that are in no way consistent with the hunger and thirst for the living God that is experienced by the people today. Nor do such actions serve authentic pastoral care or proper liturgical renewal; instead, they deprive Christ’s faithful of their patrimony and their heritage. For arbitrary actions are not conducive to true renewal,29 but are detrimental to the right of Christ’s faithful to a liturgical celebration that is an expression of the Church’s life in accordance with her tradition and discipline. In the end, they introduce elements of distortion and disharmony into the very celebration of the Eucharist, which is oriented in its own lofty way and by its very nature to signifying and wondrously bringing about the communion of divine life and the unity of the People of God.30 The result is uncertainty in matters of doctrine, perplexity and scandal on the part of the People of God, and, almost as a necessary consequence, vigorous opposition, all of which greatly confuse and sadden many of Christ’s faithful in this age of ours when Christian life is often particularly difficult on account of the inroads of “secularization” as well.31

Thus, even if he is the priest, he does not have the right to change anything whatsoever in the Mass that has already been fixed. The only exception to changing the readings was given last Sunday when the Holy Father granted us the option of either observing the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul or the 3rd Sunday in Ordniary Time.

Here is what the General Instruction of the Roman Missal says about the Responsorial Psalm:

The Responsorial Psalm

1. After the first reading comes the responsorial Psalm, which is an integral part of the Liturgy of the Word and holds great liturgical and pastoral importance, because it fosters meditation on the word of God.

The responsorial Psalm should correspond to each reading and should, as a rule, be taken from the Lectionary.

It is preferable that the responsorial Psalm be sung, at least as far as the people’s response is concerned. Hence, the psalmist, or the cantor of the Psalm, sings the verses of the Psalm from the ambo or another suitable place. The entire congregation remains seated and listens but, as a rule, takes part by singing the response, except when the Psalm is sung straight through without a response. In order, however, that the people may be able to sing the Psalm response more readily, texts of some responses and Psalms have been chosen for the various seasons of the year or for the various categories of Saints. These may be used in place of the text corresponding to the reading whenever the Psalm is sung. If the Psalm cannot be sung, then it should be recited in such a way that it is particularly suited to fostering meditation on the word of God.

In the dioceses of the United States of America, the following may also be sung in place of the Psalm assigned in the Lectionary for Mass: either the proper or seasonal antiphon and Psalm from the Lectionary, as found either in the Roman Gradual or Simple Gradual or in another musical setting; or an antiphon and Psalm from another collection of the psalms and antiphons, including psalms arranged in metrical form, providing that they have been approved by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops or the Diocesan Bishop. Songs or hymns may not be used in place of the responsorial Psalm.

Noe that it does not say that one can cut off the Responsorial Psalm at will. I hope this helps.

 

[jkarp]

In the dioceses of the United States of America, the following may also be sung in place of the Psalm assigned in the Lectionary for Mass: either the proper or seasonal antiphon and Psalm from the Lectionary, as found either in the Roman Gradual or Simple Gradual or in another musical setting; or an antiphon and Psalm from another collection of the psalms and antiphons, including psalms arranged in metrical form, providing that they have been approved by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops or the Diocesan Bishop. Songs or hymns may not be used in place of the responsorial Psalm.

Herein lies the true quandry . . . If you reread the quotation from the General Instruction, it says that the Responsorial Psalm doesn’t necessarily even need to be the prescribed Psalm of the day:

“. . . either the proper seasonal antiphon and Psalm from the Lectionary . . . or an antiphon and Psalm from another collection . . .”

This is where the real confusion occurs. Personally, I can’t see much reason for changing the Psalm from the proper except in very specific cases, e.g. the celebration of a Baptism (Psalm 46 maybe?) or a funeral (Psalm 23), etc.

As for “truncating” the Psalm, it seems to me that as long as the Psalm setting has been approved by the USCCB, it is can be used; I see it as entirely possible that a truncated setting could be an approved setting. As for where a compliation or exhaustive listing of these can be obtained, I’m not certain.

It appears that there may be room for truncation to be okay, but I am uncertain as to why someone would want to do so, except perhaps out of laziness.

 

[benedictgal]

Herein lies the true quandry . . . If you reread the quotation from the General Instruction, it says that the Responsorial Psalm doesn’t necessarily even need to be the prescribed Psalm of the day:

This is where the real confusion occurs. Personally, I can’t see much reason for changing the Psalm from the proper except in very specific cases, e.g. the celebration of a Baptism (Psalm 46 maybe?) or a funeral (Psalm 23), etc.

As for “truncating” the Psalm, it seems to me that as long as the Psalm setting has been approved by the USCCB, it is can be used; I see it as entirely possible that a truncated setting could be an approved setting. As for where a compliation or exhaustive listing of these can be obtained, I’m not certain.

It appears that there may be room for truncation to be okay, but I am uncertain as to why someone would want to do so, except perhaps out of laziness.

However, there are seasonal pslams that exist for Ordinary Time, Advent, Lent and Easter. This is what the GIRM means. Even these, which have been approved, shouldn’t be chopped up just because the celebrant feels like it.

I have seen several versions of the seasonal settings and their verses are on par as the ones they substitute. Granted, the one for the Apostles, especially the some heard this past Sunday for the Pauline feast, only had two verses, you just don’t cut the responsorial psalm at the knees, as the OP indicated the pastor was doing on a frequent basis. With all due respect, you can’t tell me that every psalm, even the seasonal ones, is abridged.

 

[John_Lilburne]

From the 2004 Instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum:
“[62.] It is also illicit to omit or to substitute the prescribed biblical readings on one’s own initiative, and especially “to substitute other, non-biblical texts for the readings and responsorial Psalm, which contain the word of God”.
[Footnote 138:
Missale Romanum, Institutio Generalis, n. 57;
cf. Pope John Paul II, Apostolic Letter, Vicesimus quintus annus, n. 13: AAS 81 (1989) p. 910;
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Declaration, Dominus Iesus, on the unicity and salvific universality of Jesus Christ and the Church, 6 August 2000: AAS 92 (2000) pp. 742-765.]”

 

[benedictgal]

From the 2004 Instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum:
“[62.] It is also illicit to omit or to substitute the prescribed biblical readings on one’s own initiative, and especially “to substitute other, non-biblical texts for the readings and responsorial Psalm, which contain the word of God”.
[Footnote 138:
Missale Romanum, Institutio Generalis, n. 57;
cf. Pope John Paul II, Apostolic Letter, Vicesimus quintus annus, n. 13: AAS 81 (1989) p. 910;
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Declaration, Dominus Iesus, on the unicity and salvific universality of Jesus Christ and the Church, 6 August 2000: AAS 92 (2000) pp. 742-765.]”

Thank you, John, for catching this. My eyes are not as good with my glasses as they are with my contacts. You are a great source!

 

[jkarp]

However, there are seasonal pslams that exist for Ordinary Time, Advent, Lent and Easter. This is what the GIRM means. Even these, which have been approved, shouldn’t be chopped up just because the celebrant feels like it.

I have seen several versions of the seasonal settings and their verses are on par as the ones they substitute. Granted, the one for the Apostles, especially the some heard this past Sunday for the Pauline feast, only had two verses, you just don’t cut the responsorial psalm at the knees, as the OP indicated the pastor was doing on a frequent basis. With all due respect, you can’t tell me that every psalm, even the seasonal ones, is abridged.

No, it says very clearly that you are able to substitute any other approved Psalm for the daily proper.

 

[benedictgal]

No, it says very clearly that you are able to substitute any other approved Psalm for the daily proper.

No, there is a catch to this:

In the dioceses of the United States of America, the following may also be sung in place of the Psalm assigned in the Lectionary for Mass: ***either the proper or seasonal antiphon and Psalm from the Lectionary, as found either in the Roman Gradual or Simple Gradual or in another musical setting; or an antiphon and Psalm from another collection of the psalms and antiphons, including psalms arranged in metrical form, providing that they have been approved by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops or the Diocesan Bishop. ***Songs or hymns may not be used in place of the responsorial Psalm.

This doesn’t mean that the celebrant has the right to cut off even the substituted psalm at the knees in order to shorten that part of the Mass. The citation given by John clearly states that. Furthermore, RS came out two years after the 2002 US-adapted GIRM came out.

 

[Cluny]

Here’s the question: Is the priest every allowed to truncate the psalm in Mass?

---

What exactly do you mean by “the Psalm in Mass”?

There are several times Psalms, or verses from them, are used in the Roman Rite.

From what I can tell from the present Graduale and Gregorian Missal (Latin plainsong of the traditional items of mass, arranged for the Novus Ordo), there is only ONE verse at most used at the Introit, Responsorial Psalm, Alleluia, Offertory, and Communion.

If it’s acceptable in the Latin, it should be acceptable in English.

 

[Tepeyac]

Here’s the question: Is the priest every allowed to truncate the psalm in Mass?

---

What exactly do you mean by “the Psalm in Mass”?

There are several times Psalms, or verses from them, are used in the Roman Rite.

From what I can tell from the present Graduale and Gregorian Missal (Latin plainsong of the traditional items of mass, arranged for the Novus Ordo), there is only ONE verse at most used at the Introit, Responsorial Psalm, Alleluia, Offertory, and Communion.

If it’s acceptable in the Latin, it should be acceptable in English.

I think the original poster meant the Responsorial Psalm from the Lectionary, for which there are usually several verses. As far as I can tell, from the other answers to this thread, a priest is not allowed to omit verses from the Responsorial Psalm on his own authority because it is, as another poster quoted from the GIRM, " an integral part of the Liturgy of the Word and holds great liturgical and pastoral importance, because it fosters meditation on the word of God."

The GIRM for the U.S. allows the use of the the Gradual from the Roman Gradual, or the Resp. Psalm from the Graduale Simplex, or a psalm from another approved collection of psalms but those are listed afterwards. I also think it’s unlikely that the church in the original post chants the gradual in Latin, as that’s pretty rare in a typical parish.

It’s true that the Graduale and the Gregorian Missal typically print only one psalm verse for the most of the chants (introit, etc.) However, there is a legitimate option for at least some of these chants (such as the communion and offertory, or I believe the introit in the Graduale Simplex) to sing them interspersed with psalm verses as was the ancient practice. Sort of like the way we sing (hopefully we sing) the Responsorial Psalm from the Lectionary today. An example of this is the resource made freely available by the Church Music Association of America at their “Musica Sacra” website: Communion Antiphons with Psalm Verses

 

[benedictgal]

Here’s the question: Is the priest every allowed to truncate the psalm in Mass?

---

What exactly do you mean by “the Psalm in Mass”?

There are several times Psalms, or verses from them, are used in the Roman Rite.

From what I can tell from the present Graduale and Gregorian Missal (Latin plainsong of the traditional items of mass, arranged for the Novus Ordo), there is only ONE verse at most used at the Introit, Responsorial Psalm, Alleluia, Offertory, and Communion.

If it’s acceptable in the Latin, it should be acceptable in English.

There is one refrain used, not the verse. During the Responsorial Psalm, we respond to the verse wtih the refrain. In the Communion antiphon, for example, for one of the Papal Masses, the response is “You are Christ, Son of the Living God” and the choir sings the verse. We then take up the response, “You are Christ” and so on and so forth.

What should not be truncated is the versicles.

 

[jkarp]

This doesn’t mean that the celebrant has the right to cut off even the substituted psalm at the knees in order to shorten that part of the Mass. The citation given by John clearly states that. Furthermore, RS came out two years after the 2002 US-adapted GIRM came out.

Yeah, this is exactly what I said (perhaps read my posts and don’t just assume I’m arguing with?). But I went on to say that it is conceivable that a truncated setting of the Psalm could be an approved setting; simply because it doesn’t match what OCP has published in Today’s Missal (or whatever a parish may choose to use) doesn’t necessarily mean that a priest, or lector, or cantor is taking it upon him/herself and shortening the text.

 

[Pioro]

Thank you for all of your answers and information - especially from the GIRM.

To clarify for those of you who wondered what I meant by the Psalm, I meant what is on the page that the priest is reading from the lectionary for that day.

I work closely with priests on an English Mass in Poland, and so I am very familiar with the lectionary and sacramentary approved by the USCCB (it’s what we use every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation). The priests I work with are scrupulously well-trained and faithful to the rubrics of the Mass. Sometimes I’m the one who tells them that something the ‘music director’ is doing (like adding tropes to the Agnus Dei) is illicit (they are not aware of what’s behind some of the changes in song books imported from the US). But when it comes to the celebration of the Mass, these priests are exemplary; the parish priest is even a professor of liturgy at a seminary. And one of them told me that it’s not allowed to cut off the psalm you are reading in the lectionary for the day’s Mass.

The situation I refer to occurs in a parish in the Mass in the local language. I use an English-language missal during daily Mass in Polish. I am not fluent, but I know the Mass and the readings well enough in both languages after years of attending daily Mass, that I know that what’s in the lectionary on the ambo is what’s in my missal.

Just to be sure, though, I went to the sacristy and asked the sacristan one day, why my missal had four verses and the priest had only sung two. He checked one book they had in the sacristy, and said that he found four verses there (by ‘verse,’ I don’t mean the refrain sung by the congregation - sorry if I got the word wrong). He went to the ambo in the sanctuary and said that there were ‘even five’ verses in that version. He said, ‘The priest must have shortened it.’ When I said that that is not allowed, he made no reply.

The sacristan sets out the books and puts the markers in the right place - he knows the page the priest was on. There can be no mistake: the priest cuts off the psalm after two verses every time he sings it.

As someone suggested, I think that it’s laziness that leads him to do it - truncating the psalm is not his only problem.

Now I am convinced that it is illicit, and I’ll try to find out what my next step should be.

Thanks again for help. I knew I had come to the right place!

 

[benedictgal]

Thank you for all of your answers and information - especially from the GIRM.

To clarify for those of you who wondered what I meant by the Psalm, I meant what is on the page that the priest is reading from the lectionary for that day.

I work closely with priests on an English Mass in Poland, and so I am very familiar with the lectionary and sacramentary approved by the USCCB (it’s what we use every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation). The priests I work with are scrupulously well-trained and faithful to the rubrics of the Mass. Sometimes I’m the one who tells them that something the ‘music director’ is doing (like adding tropes to the Agnus Dei) is illicit (they are not aware of what’s behind some of the changes in song books imported from the US). But when it comes to the celebration of the Mass, these priests are exemplary; the parish priest is even a professor of liturgy at a seminary. And one of them told me that it’s not allowed to cut off the psalm you are reading in the lectionary for the day’s Mass.

The situation I refer to occurs in a parish in the Mass in the local language. I use an English-language missal during daily Mass in Polish. I am not fluent, but I know the Mass and the readings well enough in both languages after years of attending daily Mass, that I know that what’s in the lectionary on the ambo is what’s in my missal.

Just to be sure, though, I went to the sacristy and asked the sacristan one day, why my missal had four verses and the priest had only sung two. He checked one book they had in the sacristy, and said that he found four verses there (by ‘verse,’ I don’t mean the refrain sung by the congregation - sorry if I got the word wrong). He went to the ambo in the sanctuary and said that there were ‘even five’ verses in that version. He said, ‘The priest must have shortened it.’ When I said that that is not allowed, he made no reply.

The sacristan sets out the books and puts the markers in the right place - he knows the page the priest was on. There can be no mistake: the priest cuts off the psalm after two verses every time he sings it.

As someone suggested, I think that it’s laziness that leads him to do it - truncating the psalm is not his only problem.

Now I am convinced that it is illicit, and I’ll try to find out what my next step should be.

Thanks again for help. I knew I had come to the right place!

I am happy that we could be of help.

Something else that you might want to note is to take a look at any adaptations that were made for Polish National Episcopal Conference. The use of the psalm other than the one for that particular day applies only to the USCCB because that adaptation was granted and applicable to the United States.

However, Redemptionis Sacramentum is a truly universal document.