I'm in frequent correspondence with parish music directors who are doing their best to move us from an age of pop songs to an age of Mass propers, with greater solemnity, dignity, and stylistic integrity. One resource keeps being mentioned again and again: the Anglican Use Gradual. It really is a marvelous resource for directors who face constant pressure of preparing chants for the Mass. For them, one Gregorian chant per week is as much as their choirs can handle, so for offertory chants and entrances, there needs to be a resource available to provide dignified music in a pinch.
Adam Bartlett and his team are working hard to put together a plainsong Gradual for the year. Others are working on similar projects, including Fr. Samuel Weber. I feel sure that we are going to see an outpouring of these over the next few years - and it is long past time for this to happen.
In the meantime, it makes sense to have the AUG on your shelf. The book is easily criticized for its repetitive modes and patterns. But, to me, that's not quite the point: these are not to be used for every proper, every week. They work best for occasional use. When you need them, they are there. Even if you use it only once every two weeks or once per month, it serves its purpose.
The additional issue concerns the language, which is not modern. I don't really have a problem with that at all, and I actually like it simply for the reason that liturgical language should be more elevated that casual speech. It's primary purpose is not communicative cognition. Even so, I grant that it can be a bit obscure at times.
I doubt many people prepared the Moses offertory this week. In this case, it works really well to do this piece alternating cantor and choir.
