Musical Settings of the Ordinary of the Mass
Latin Gregorian Settings
Resources for singing the Ordinary of the Mass in Latin are available at our Latin Settings page.
English-language Settings
- Official chant melodies included in the Missal;
- Optional plainsong settings based on traditional sources;
- Newly composed settings in various styles.
The musical settings indicated here are for the Roman Missal Third Edition, which will go into use for Ordinary Form Masses in the United States in 2011.
All these settings are presented in accord with ICEL’s policy for the use of its approved texts.
Chant Melodies from the Roman Missal Third Edition
Here are some materials and resources for learning the chant melodies to be published in the new Missal. This music was provided by ICEL and adopted by the US Bishops Committee for the Liturgy. These settings will appear in the altar edition of the Missal and in worship aids.
Study materials
- From ICEL: A 51-page PDF sample of the chant settings for the new Missal is available on-line.
- A complete collection of the music is on-line at ICEL’s website.
- A booklet for study and practice sessions by Nathan Knutson
Congregational booklets for the ICEL chant setting
- The Sung Ordinary of the Mass: the principal parts in modern notation in two booklet formats: 4 pages, with the Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus, Memorial, and Agnus; or 8 pages adding the Credo; both are designed by Rene Alvarez.
- Order of Sung Mass, a 36-page booklet (5 1/2″ x 8″) in two formats: in chant notation (square notes) and in modern notation; designed by Aristotle Esguerra.
- Order of Sung Mass in modern notation: the principal parts of the Mass Ordinary on four pages (8 1/2″ x 11″); designed by Aristotle Esguerra.
- A pew card in 8 1/2″ x 14″ format (legal-size); designed by Aristotle Esguerra.
- A pew card on legal-size paper, by Nathan Knutson
- A pew card, 4 pages, 8 1/2″ x 11″, by the Liturgical Institute
Practice audio and video recordings
- Corpus Christi Watershed has provided 19 videos for practicing and demonstrating the new settings.
- The Archdiocese of Boston Office for Worship has provided practice videos and mp3 files.
Organ accompaniments for the ICEL chants
Accompaniments for some or all of the new Mass ordinary are available from the following sources:
- ICEL (scroll down to The Order of Mass)
- The Diocese of Leeds in England
- Noel Jones
- Jeff Ostrowski
- WLP
Newly composed settings
- “Mass of the Most Sacred Heart” by Jacob Bancks
- “Mass of the Angels” by Richard J. Clark
- “Martyr’s Mass” by Noel Jones
And at the website of Corpus Christi Watershed:
- Settings by Jeff Ostrowski, Fr. David Friel, Royce Nickel, Brian Michael Page, Richard Rice, and Linda Simms
- Settings of the Glory to God by composers Jeff Ostrowski, Richard Rice, and Adam Bartlett
Policy regarding the Use of ICEL Materials on Global Computer Networks
The above English settings of the Ordinary of the Mass use standard approved translations for the Roman Missal Third Edition, in accord with the policy of ICEL (the International Commission on English in the Liturgy) regarding the usage and dissemination of ICEL texts over the Internet. The policy is reproduced below and may also be found on the ICEL website:
Use of ICEL Materials on Global Computer Networks
ICEL texts and translations that have been approved by the Conferences of Bishops, have received the recognition of the Holy See, and have subsequently been promulgated for use on the date established by the Conferences of Bishops may be reproduced in a non-commercial site (“Site”) on the global computer network commonly known as the internet without obtaining written or oral permission, subject to the following conditions:
- there must be no fee charged to access the Site or any of the ICEL translations, texts, or music, thereon;
- The appropriate ICEL copyright acknowledgment must appear on the first and last pages and/or frames within the Site displaying the ICEL translation or text (see www.icelweb.org and click on “copyright policies“);
- The ICEL translations and texts must be followed exactly;
- These policies do not grant a license to publish texts in any other form or any other right in ICEL’s name and marks, and the Site may not display the ICEL translations or texts or otherwise use the ICEL name in any way that implies affiliation with, or sponsorship or endorsement by, ICEL;
- ICEL reserves the right to terminate or modify its permission to use its translations and texts;
- ICEL reserves the right to take action against any party that fails to conform to these policies, infringes any of its intellectual property rights, or otherwise violates applicable law.

