Q: A colleague wrote to me last night asking if we are obligated to use the translation of Tantum ergo published by the USCCB and appearing in recent liturgy publications from the major publishers.  She was concerned about being docile to the Magisterium but her parishioners are familiar with the Caswall translations.  I told her I didn’t think she was limited to that translation as I think the Order for Worship of the Eucharist outside of Mass provides even for the substitution of other appropriate hymns at the exposition and adoration, but I told her I would write to you and ask.

For many years I have been operating under the assumption that there remains quite a bit of latitude when singing certain texts (psalms, canticles, hymns) so that earlier vernacular musical settings might be used.  I first heard of this idea sometime in the mid-1990’s when it was explained to a group of cathedral musicians, but I have never been able to locate documentation articulating this provision.  Can you shed any light on this?

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A: I would answer this the way you did: Other hymns may replace the Tantum ergo. Certainly other translations may replace the one provided. However, ICEL’s translation is a good, faithful rendering of the original Latin, so I hope people don’t set it aside too quickly. It could become as beloved as Caswall’s.

The Roman Missal gives considerable latitude for selecting congregational music at moments such as the entrance antiphon, responsorial psalm and the communion antiphon (48, 61 and 87).

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