Hi, I am choosing chants for St Paul conversion mass. As the offertory, I would like to include "Mihi autem nimis" but I don't like the "Graduale Romanum" version. I was thinking of using the beginning of the more simple Introit version instead. The text is the same. Is it a problem to use the introit melody as the offertory? Thank you
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Using an introit chant as an offertory chant (same text)
Using an introit chant as an offertory chant (same text)
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Hello Retni and thank you for your question.
The Liturgy is not something subject to change according to our own likes or dislikes. Only the Holy See has the authority and power to make changes to the liturgy, and even then, it is very limited. One of the missions of the Church is to preserve and pass on the teachings and Tradition intact (a true "traditiones custodes"). The Church and Its liturgy are not created by man, but by God, and therefore are subject to change according to man's whims. Liturgical developments which have occurred in the past have been minor and very gradual, over the course of centuries... a real organic development. New introductions may legitimately occur on occasion, e.g. the celebration of a new feast which might require new chants (e.g. St Joseph the Worker). But these instances are rather rare.
From a musical point of view, certain chants are composed for specific liturgical actions. Even though the text may be the same for an Introit and an Offertory (or in the case of the first Sunday of Lent, it is the same for all the Propers), their musical composition is different, being fitting appropriately for their accompanying liturgical action. The chant assigned to the offertory (or any other) was composed for the offertory and not another place in the liturgy, and it has been there for over 1500 years. The Liturgy and its elements are not subordinate to us, but we are to be subordinate to the Liturgy, the Church and God, Who is Its author.
I hope that answers your questions.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!