Limit this search to....

A Catholic Book of Hymns
Contributor(s): Weaver, Mary C. (Introduction by), Jones, Noel A. (Author), Jones, Ellen D. (Editor)
ISBN:     ISBN-13: 9798556408609
Publisher: Independently Published
OUR PRICE:   $13.53  
Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats
Published: November 2020
Qty:
Additional Information
BISAC Categories:
- Music | Religious - Hymns
Physical Information: 0.75" H x 6" W x 9" (1.06 lbs) 360 pages
 
Descriptions, Reviews, Etc.
Publisher Description:
Pew Rack Size 6" by 9" Paperback - also available in Hardcover.

See list of all 295 hymns on LOOK INSIDE.

"Music and silence-how I detest them both "--Screwtape, under-secretary to the devil, The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis

It's easy to see why the enemies of mankind would hate and fear both sacred silence and sacred music. Both bring joy, spur contemplation, and draw the soul nearer to the Lord. Both have been part of our private prayer as well as our communal liturgy for thousands of years.

The Psalms--biblical songs of praise, supplication, and wonder--have been sung for three thousand years. Naturally, Jesus, His disciples, and later the early Christian community also sang hymns (from the Greek word meaning "songs of praise"), as The New Testament makes clear.

We sing because we love, and sung praise elevates our words, takes them out of the realm of the commonplace, and increases our joy. The holy pleasure of singing to God involves the entire person--spirit, heart, mind, and body--and unites us not only with the Divine but also with one another as a worshiping community.

This collection of hymns for the singing Catholic congregation exemplifies the best of the genre. These songs are religiously orthodox, beautiful, sacred, and--for the most part--familiar. But here you will also find worthy hymn tunes and texts that are new to you.

We present this book to propose not that hymns replace the proper chants for a particular day's Mass* but live happily alongside them. In most instances the proper chants for processions are the prerogative of cantors and choirs and, as the texts change with every Sunday and solemnity, it's not practical for the congregation to learn and sing them.

Hymns, on the other hand, belong to all the faithful and serve as a key means of the "active participation" spoken of in Vatican II's Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy. Moreover, sung hymns have been an important part of the Liturgy of the Hours for century upon century, so they are nothing new, although singing them at Mass is relatively recent.

"To promote active participation, the people should be encouraged to take part by means of acclamations, responses, psalmody, antiphons, and songs, as well as by actions, gestures, and bodily attitudes. And at the proper times all should observe a reverent silence."--Sacrosanctum Concilium (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Vatican II, 1963), Paragraph 30

In a parish where the Scriptures are sung, the introit will accompany the procession of the ministers and the cross. Clergy, choir, and people can then sing a congregational hymn if desired. The same is true at offertory and Communion: hymns can follow the proper chants, time permitting. The pastor and/or music director will make the decision whether and when to sing hymns.

And at the conclusion of Mass, a suitable hymn can send the people forth with the praise of Almighty God on their lips.

May this book bring joy to all who sing from it

*What is the source of the sung antiphons--the proper texts--for the Roman Mass?

The antiphons (in Latin) may be found in the Graduale Romanum, and numerous English settings of these texts are available--many at no cost. The antiphons from the Roman Missal, third edition, may also serve as proper texts.

For more information, see

  • Sacrosanctum Concilium (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Vatican II, 1963)
  • Musicam Sacram (Instruction on Music in the Liturgy, 1967) and
  • The General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 2010.