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jredden92
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Here is a recording of How Great Thou Art I made today
I was wondering what people think and also wanted to know if it’s a catholic hymn either way it’s definitely one of my favourites. 
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Vico
Guest
The author was a member of the Mission Covenant Church in Sweden, Carl Gustav Boberg.
Tis_Bearself
Patron
It’s not Catholic originally. It was written by some Swedish Protestant evangelical. In recent decades it was strongly associated with Billy Graham as he used it at a lot of his services.
When I went to see Billy Graham lying in state, a bunch of us standing there all sang a couple verses of that and “Amazing Grace” in front of the casket before shuffling out to let the next group in the massive line have a turn.
It is okay for Catholics to sing it though. It’s in the official church hymnals for decades now. They might have slightly tweaked the lyrics.
When I went to see Billy Graham lying in state, a bunch of us standing there all sang a couple verses of that and “Amazing Grace” in front of the casket before shuffling out to let the next group in the massive line have a turn.
It is okay for Catholics to sing it though. It’s in the official church hymnals for decades now. They might have slightly tweaked the lyrics.
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pnewton
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God is great. That transcends a lot of differences.
There is absolutely nothing in HGTA that is in the least bit incompatible with Catholicism.
“Amazing Grace”, on the other hand, presupposes a conversion experience that not all Catholics have, in that most Catholics are “born into it”, baptized as infants, and (ideally) just see faith as part of the warp and woof of life, something that “has always just been there” without requiring a conscious decision to believe or not believe. This, of course, doesn’t describe those who fall away and then come back, which can be a powerful (re-)conversion experience, a calm acceptance of “maybe the Church is right after all”, or anything in between. AG seems as though it would have to be kind of awkward for a never-doubting, lifelong “cradle Catholic” to sing.
Tis_Bearself
Patron
AG has also been in the current Church hymnals for years. It cropped up there about the same time as “How Great Thou Art”.
I think you’re reading a lot into it.
I think you’re reading a lot into it.
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Cor_ad_Cor
Guest
I was born into a Protestant faith, but I consider myself in the “never-doubting” category. (Part of my draw to Catholicism was that I felt like try as I might, I couldn’t have one of those “required” conversion moments; that must have meant something was wrong with me. Then I found the truth.)
I don’t think there’s anything awkward about singing AG. True, the theology may be borderline if we dig into the meaning behind the text, but we can also support the overall idea as not incompatible with our Catholic faith. We’re all in need of a Savior, and there is at least one (if not many) moments in life where we might experience a faith-strengthening. If anything, a few of the words are clumsy, but no less truthful.
Tis_Bearself
Patron
Yes. as a cradle who was gifted with a strong faith, there’s definitely still been peaks and valleys in my relationship with God. I don’t find it uncomfortable to sing, since we are all in need of God’s grace to go about our business every minute.
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27lw
Guest
OP - you certainly have a strong voice and sing in tune!
If you are interested in what is Catholic music, may I suggest watching this music director’s videos on the subject?
"What is sacred music?" video series Liturgy and Sacraments
If you are interested in what is Catholic music, may I suggest watching this music director’s videos on the subject?
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Reverent_Howler
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I read in a Catholic publication–possibly HPR–some years back that both How Great Thou Art and Amazing Grace are Baptist anthems. I think there are enough good Catholic hymns available without borrowing from the Protestants.
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Lifeisbeautiful3
Guest
A number of people on this thread have said something to the effect of “it’s not Catholic but it’s OK for Catholics to sing it”
What make something a ‘Catholic’ hymn?
Tis_Bearself
Patron
Typically that it was written by a Catholic and/or has a very long tradition of being used by Catholics, for instance at Mass.
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redcatholic
Guest
Typically I don’t care for Protestant hymns. This one though Is special to me. My Protestant family almost always plays this at funerals. I do like it. There are few “Catholic” hymns that are written in English vs Protestants. Typically when you hear a “thou” there is a Luther or Calvin influence or a Anglican one.
I know, I know Douay Rheims and all that.
I know, I know Douay Rheims and all that.
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‘Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.’
The use of ‘thee’, ‘thy’ and ‘thou’ in early English translations of the Bible - or in prayers and hymns - has nothing to do with religious belief, but merely mirrors common usage in the language of the time.
The use of ‘thee’, ‘thy’ and ‘thou’ in early English translations of the Bible - or in prayers and hymns - has nothing to do with religious belief, but merely mirrors common usage in the language of the time.
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JanR
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I partly disagree with that.
We do have a lot of good Catholic hymns, but these two particular songs in no way diminish the worshipping of our Lord.
As long as these hymns are sharing the same basic theology of the Church and don’t contradict it, I see nothing wrong with including them among our own hymns.
I don’t think we’re “borrowing” from the protestants. I think these songs convey the soul-felt expressions of God’s greatness and the miracles His Grace can achieve within us that is shared by all devout Christians. They honor and worship God, regardless of their origins.
I have always found these two hymns moving and beautiful. Why quibble when they both express our love for God?
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redcatholic
Guest
I’m aware of that. But the Catholic world is not predominantly English speaking the US is not a majority Catholuc country and we all know England’s history. Are there old English Catholic things. Sure. But when you hear these hymns they are usually Protestant creation. Now Ave Maria, that’s probably Catholic. Lol
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redcatholic
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Ok. 12345678910
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Phemie
Guest
It first appeared in Canada’s Catholic Book of Worship II, with the original verses, back in 1980. In 1994’s CBW III the lyrics were tweaked to get rid of “wretch“ and now read “saved and strengthened me”.
I’m surprised the haven’t updated “How Great Thou Art” to “How Great You Are” like they did with “Holy God we praise thy name” where every “thy” and “thee” has been replaced by “your and “you”. And you’d barf at what they did to “Praise my Soul the King of Heaven”.
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