Musical Score Book ‘Chanting the Responsorial Psalm’ Released at CCBI Plenary Assembly

Bhubaneswar, February 11, 2025 – The Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) released Chanting the Responsorial Psalm (Responsorii Psalmi in Cantu), a musical score book, on February 1 during its 36th Plenary Assembly at XIM, Bhubaneswar. The book contains 353 Responsorial Psalms for Sundays, Solemnities, and Vigil Masses across all three liturgical cycles. It also includes seventy Propers dedicated to all Indian saints to date and rituals for religious professions and various needs of the Church.

The musical scores in the book have been composed by Mr. Michael Peria, a prominent Sacred Music Minister. The compositions feature polyphonic choruses for the responsorial psalms and Gregorian chant for the verses. The lyrics follow the lectionary published by CCBI in 2020, with official permission for use from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). 

The compositions in the book were reviewed by a two-member censor deputatus from the CCBI Liturgy Commission and received the Nihil Obstat from Most Rev. Peter Paul Saldanha, Chairman of the Commission for Liturgy. His Eminence Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao, President of CCBI, granted the Imprimatur for the book, signifying official ecclesiastical approval.

Published by CCBI as part of its liturgical series, the book is distributed by ATC, Bangalore. Recognising Gregorian chant as the supreme model of sacred music, this publication aims to enrich liturgical celebrations by preserving and promoting the Church’s musical heritage.

By Steve Antao