Preparing antiphons

Learn how to select, configure, and prepare antiphons for a liturgy using the Source & Summit Digital Platform.

The information in this article applies to all Source & Summit customers.

What are antiphons?

Antiphons are short scriptural and liturgical texts typically sung in alternation with verses from a psalm or canticle. In Source & Summit, antiphon sections are included in your Ordo by default, along with the readings and other parts of the Mass prescribed for use in the liturgy you are preparing.

Most Ordos include antiphons, also known as the “processional propers”, for the following sections:

• Entrance Chant

• Offertory Chant

• Communion Chant

The Responsorial Psalm and Alleluia are also antiphons. Together with the processional propers, they form the “sung propers of the Mass”, all found under the Proper section type in your Ordo Outline.

Note

The number of antiphons in a liturgy may vary for special feasts, such as Holy Week and other special liturgies.

Selecting antiphon texts and musical settings

1. Create an Ordo.

2. Select an Antiphon Section (Entrance Chant, Offertory Chant, or Communion Chant) in your Outline.

   → Many liturgies contain multiple text options provided in the Roman Missal (RM) and Graduale Romanum (GR). Source & Summit provides these options for you.

3. In the center canvas, select an antiphon text.

   → The right panel will display available music options, including antiphon collections, upload options, and antiphon tone libraries.

4. Select a musical setting from the right panel.

   → The music will display in the center canvas.

Pro Tip

Source & Summit contains antiphons in English, Spanish, and Latin. Visit Language options to learn more.

Changing your antiphon selection

Once you select an Antiphon text and music, you can continue exploring other options or update your selection. Navigate to these options in the right panel or the center canvas:

In the right panel

• Browse - Opens your collections in the right panel while keeping your current music selection in the center canvas. Use this option to explore other musical settings for the same antiphon text.

• Reset - Clears your current selection in the center canvas, allowing you to choose a different antiphon text.

In the center canvas

1. Click the more options menu In the top right corner of the antiphon section.

2. Click Change Text. This will reset the section to its original state.

Adding a Seasonal Antiphon

Seasonal Antiphons allow communities to use and repeat proper antiphons several times throughout a liturgical season. This possibility can serve as a helpful pastoral tool as you begin to introduce antiphons gradually. Here’s how to add a Seasonal Antiphon to your Ordo:

1. Select an Antiphon Section (Entrance Chant, Offertory Chant, or Communion Chant) in your outline.

2. In the center canvas, click + Add a Seasonal Antiphon below the proper antiphons prescribed for that particular liturgy.

   → A list of seasonal antiphon texts will appear.

3. Select an antiphon text from the list.

   → Musical settings will open in the right panel.

4. Select a musical setting from the right panel.

   → The music will display in the center canvas.

Note

Seasonal Antiphons are available on the Standard, Educational, and Complete Digital Add-On Plans.

Duplicating antiphons

To sing more than one antiphon together in a part of the liturgy, you can duplicate an antiphon:

1. Click the section you’d like to duplicate.

2. In the top right corner, click the more options menu  

3. Select Add another [Entrance Chant, Offertory Chant, or Communion Chant].

   → The new section will appear below.

4. Reorder your sections (optional). Drag and drop the sections from your Outline (left panel) to adjust the order.

Looking to display an antiphon in multiple languages?

Follow the steps in Language options to learn how.

Using antiphons and hymns together

Antiphons and hymns can be used within the same part of the liturgy, especially when introducing antiphons for the first time. Here are some ways you can use antiphons and hymns together in liturgy preparation:

Entrance

• Sing the Entrance Antiphon after an Opening Hymn, during the incensation of the altar (recommended)

• Or, sing the Entrance Antiphon before the hymn as a prelude.

Preparation of the Gifts

• In a time when the congregation may not be particularly inclined to sing, the cantor or choir may sing the antiphon alone, followed by a hymn or motet.

Communion

• After the Priest receives the Sacrament, sing the antiphon in alternation with few verses before the Communion Hymn begins.

• Or, sing the antiphon throughout the entire Communion Procession with several verses, followed by a hymn of praise.

To include both an antiphon and a hymn in the same part of the liturgy, add a hymn to the section. From your outline (left panel), drag and drop sections to adjust the order as needed.

Using antiphon tones

Antiphon tones are melodic formulas that can be used with virtually any antiphon text. To help introduce antiphons to your musicians and congregation, you can choose to sing multiple texts to the same tone throughout the year.

While through-composed antiphon collections appear at the top of the right panel, you can also choose to set the antiphon text to a different tone.

Here’s how to browse and apply antiphon tones to antiphon texts:

1. Select an antiphon text in your Ordo (Entrance Chant, Offertory Chant, or Communion Chant)

2. In the right panel, scroll to view these folders:

📁 My Antiphons
📁 Simple Antiphon Tones
📁 Solemn Antiphon Tones
📁 Meinrad Tones
📁 Source & Summit Missal

3. Select a Tone Collection folder (from the selection above).

4. Select a Tone.

   → The music will display in the center canvas.

Want to know more about which antiphon collections come with your subscription?

Visit Antiphon collections to learn more.

Music customization settings for antiphons

Once you have selected the text and the collection of the antiphon, use the settings in the right panel to customize it:

• Notation - Switch between square note, modern notation, and text-only view

• Key - Adjust by half steps with the - or + buttons (or using the dropdown selector). Playback will follow your key selection

• Accompaniment - Add SATB harmonization to the score

• Chord Symbols - Display chord symbols above the melody

• Verse notation - Switch between pointed, notated, and text-only displays

• Verse number - Choose how many verses you’d like to appear for your procession length

• Verse display - Choose verse division: Grouped or 2-Line

• Psalm Tones - Set the verses to a different tone

• Glory Be - Add or remove the Glory Be as the final verse

Creating resources for both your choir and congregation?

Use the Resource Editor to customize materials for each group. Visit Creating booklets and music packets to learn more.

Ad Libitum antiphons

If you can’t find the antiphon text that you’re looking for, use the Ad Libitum function to search all the texts available in your Source & Summit antiphon library.

1. In the left panel, click + to add a section to your outline.

2. Hover over Proper, then select the Ad Libitum Proper section.

   → An antiphon section will appear at the top of your outline.

3. In the center canvas, click + Select a Proper.

   → A search bar will appear in the left panel.

4. Type keywords, a scripture reference, or a phrase from the antiphon.

5. Select the Antiphon from the search results.

   → The full text will appear in the center canvas.

6. Once you’ve found the correct antiphon, click Select Text to apply it to your Ordo.

7. In the outline (left panel), drag and drop the Ad Libitum Proper to its correct position.