Throughout the next year, and until the implementation of the New Translation of the Roman Missal, The Authentic Update will focus on issues surrounding the New Translation and developments in Sacred Music arising from it. I hope you will visit here frequently and join in the conversation as the Church enters into this remarkable period of liturgical transformation.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Musica Sacra Florida Conference - April 1&2, 2011

I will be presenting a breakout session at the 3rd Annual Musica Sacra Florida Gregorian Chant Conference, sponsored by the Florida Chapter of the Church Music Association of America in conjunction with the Department of Music, Ave Maria University, Ave Maria, Florida on April 1st & 2nd.

Liturgical Chant and the New Translation

Jeffrey A. Herbert
Director of Music
Church of the Incarnation
Sarasota FL


“The new translation of the Third Edition of the Roman Missal will begin use in parishes across the English‐speaking world in Advent of 2011. As this date approaches, two questions become relevant –

“In what ways can liturgical chant be used as a tool to introduce the new translation to the faithful?”

“How does the new translation call for a greater use of chant in the liturgy going forward?”

Answers to these two questions will be explored in the context of the Church’s musical tradition of Gregorian chant, the ICEL chants, and the increasing availability of online resources.


This is a topic I have spoken on a number of times in different venues. I was quite happy to be asked to give this particular session at this conference. I can't really stress enough how important this issue is at this time... with the implementation of the new translation coming in less than a year now it is time to begin the transformation of our liturgical music that has been called for, first by Pope John Paul II in his Chirograph on Sacred Music, and then again in Pope Benedict's Apostolic Exhortation Sacramentum Caritatis (and in numerous other addresses, writings and letters before and since that time) and by the Bishops of the United Sates in Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship.

I am going to try to address the practical resources and suggestions for how to do this, in a normal parish with average choir members. I'm also going to try and address this convergence of events that makes this the time. I hope that you will be able to join us at the conference. I will post the link to the registration and information site when it is put online. In the meantime...put the date on your calendar!

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