Musica Sacra

Thomas Hastings (1784-1872) is generally remembered as a compiler and composer of hymn tunes and anthems, but rarely is he spoken of as a prolific writer of hymn texts. Nor do many people refer to Hastings as an author, even though he penned several books and contributed numerous articles for newspapers and journals that were primarily, but not exclusively, related to his lifelong quest to reform the music used for Protestant services of worship. All of these various aspects of Hastings career are addressed in this, the first published study of Hastings life and career. The book is designed to awaken interest in this musician's contributions and to serve as a foundation upon which future studies of nineteenth-century American sacred music can build. Of particular interest is the fact that much of the material for this biographical profile has been drawn from sources not previously investigated by scholars in the field.

Anthony Ruff, osb has written a brilliant, comprehensive, well-researched book about the treasures of the Church's musical tradition, and about the transformations brought about by liturgical reform. The liturgy constitution Sacrosanctum Concilium stated many revolutionary principles of liturgical reform. Regarding liturgical music, the Council's decrees mandated, on the one hand, the preservation of the inherited treasury of sacred music, and on the other hand, advocated adaptation and expansion of this treasury to meet the changed requirements of the reformed liturgy. In clear, precise language, he retrieves the Council's neglected teachings on the preservation of the inherited music treasury. He clearly shows that this task is not at odds with good pastoral practice, but is rather an integral part of it. The book proposes an alternate hermeneutic for understanding the Second Vatican Council's teachings on worship music.

Every papal document dealing with church music from Saint Clement (92-101) to Paul VI (1963-1978) was sought for this collection. The texts are presented in English translation accompanied by the author's commentary. Also included are decrees from the Council of Trent, the Congregation of Sacred Rites and other bodies dealing with the musical concerns of the Holy See. Much of the volume chronicles the restoration of Gregorian chant after Trent and completed four hundred years later when reforms under Pius X confirmed the work of the Solesmes Benedictines.

"Music and silence-how I detest them both!"Screwtape, under-secretary to the devil, The Screwtape Letters by C. S. LewisIt'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 that days Mass* but live happily alongside them. In most instances the proper chants for processions are the prerogative of cantors and choirs and, as they change very day as part of the Mass aren't practical to be sung by the congregation. 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. Hymns have been sung as an important part of the Liturgy of the Hours for century upon century, so they are nothing new, new only to be sung at Mass. "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 30In 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. The same is true at offertory and Communion: hymns can follow the proper chants. 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 for the Roman liturgy Mass?The proper texts of the Antiphons of the Roman liturgy may be found in: Graduale Romanum; English translations of these texts are also widely available. 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)The General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 2010.

The Chants of The Roman Missal: Study Edition is for celebrants, cantors, scholars, musicians, and everyone interested in the English chant of the newly translated Roman Missal. Introductory articles on the place of English chant in worship, the value of chanting the dialogues and acclamations, and the challenges involved in adapting Latin chant to English are included. Also featured is commentary on every English chant in the new missal by genre 'the Order of Mass, acclamations, prefaces, hymns, and antiphons. This work will prove indispensible to presbyters, deacons, and cantors who hope to be prepared to chant the Mass, for music and liturgy directors, and for anyone interested in singing the English chant in our missal with greater understanding and prayerfulness.