Liturgy of the Hours using the Mundelein Psalter

I have been using the Mundelein Psalter to chant morning and evening prayer since last May. I have been using it privately, with my wife at home and on weekday mornings with some others at Creighton University. This Lent I'm introducing it in our parish at Friday evening vespers.

If anyone else is using it, or is planning to use it, I'd like to chat about it, share notes, etc.

Richard Jizba, St. Vincent de Paul, Omaha

What is the Mundelein Psalter ? Is it another one or 4 volume set of the Hours or something that can be downloaded from the web?

The Mundelein Psalter is a one volume edition containing morning, evening, and night prayer. It uses the same texts as the 4 volume set but follows the latin typical edition in its hymn selections and in its omission of the psalm prayers (they are, apparently optional).

What is special about this is that the text is "pointed" for chanting and in English, not Latin. This means that the syllables which you begin the middle and final cadences after chanting on the reciting tone are italicized so you know when to start the cadence. (This sounds way more complicated than it is) The psalter web site is at
http://www.vocations.org/liturgicalinstitute/projects/psalter/psalter%20FAQs%202007.htm
Take a look at the FAQ and listen to the sound files.
The other key feature is that the tunes are simplified and antiphons for each psalm or canticle use the same tune as the psalm/canticle. In typical Gregorian chant the antiphons are much more elaborate, which makes them more interesting and beautiful, but much more challenging for the inexperienced.

Cool! But I am musically challenged! The nuns made me lip sync in grade school.

Ah Mike ... Maybe you can be my next project. Chanting with the musically challenged. Nothing is impossible, some just take a little longer.