Is there a list of approved English Hymns?

[Praedicare]

Friends,

The four-volume Liturgy of the Hours contains many hymns that are unrelated to their respective Hours. Some of the hymns are, however, “official” Latin hymns in English.

Here are four examples from Volume I (Advent & Christmas):

Conditor alme siderum (pg. 126, as Creator of the Stars of Night)
Vox ecce clara intonat (pg. 123, as Hear the Herald Voice Resounding)
Nunc sancte nobis Spiritus (pg. 660, as Come, Holy Ghost, who ever one)
Rector potens, verax Deus (pg. 662, as Almighty Ruler, God of Truth)

Are there any other liturgical hymns translated within the covers of the LOTH? I’m asking for volume and page numbers, so that a list might be compiled.

More importantly: how do we know which hymns are actually “approved”? Sometimes the selections in the LOTH seem very random. There is a rubric on page 121 of Volume I, saying “The following hymns may be sung during the Advent Season”. Does this mean that* others* may be sung, or can only the ones listed on those pages be sung? Can only the hymns contained in the four volumes of the LOTH be used in the official liturgy? Where does it end? Who decides?

Thank you…

 

[porthos11]

More importantly: how do we know which hymns are actually “approved”? Sometimes the selections in the LOTH seem very random. There is a rubric on page 121 of Volume I, saying “The following hymns may be sung during the Advent Season”. Does this mean that* others* may be sung, or can only the ones listed on those pages be sung? Can only the hymns contained in the four volumes of the LOTH be used in the official liturgy? Where does it end? Who decides?

Thank you…

All the hymns published in the Liturgy of the Hours and Christian Prayer are approved, regardless of whether they were translated from the Latin hymns or if they were fresh compositions (and even those of questionable artistic merit). While I do prefer the Latin hymns (I have a Liber Hymnarius in my prayer kit alongside my Liturgy of the Hours) or direct translations thereof, the General Instruction is explicit in stating that fresh compositions may be used in VERNACULAR celebrations, with caveats (n. 178). The 1976 edition of the Liturgy of the Hours in English took advantage of this provision. It’s not what I prefer, but it is completely licit.

I would therefore say, stick with what’s between the pages of your breviary. Now, however, if you are in the United States, “breviary” includes the Mundelein Psalter, which DOES use only hymns translated from the Latin, AND bears the Concordat cum originali required for liturgical use. Because of that, the Mundelein Psalter is a licit hymnal for the Liturgy of the Hours in the U.S. (only).

This approval does not extend to us here in Canada, which means that while it’s probably okay for individual prayer, it cannot be used for public celebrations (a representative from the CCCB confirmed this to me). I’m not bound to the Hours, but I follow what a permanent deacon would have to do to fulfill his obligation, and I do not use doubtful or unapproved material.

If I do come across a day during which I just can’t stand the hymn (e.g. Morning Prayer, Weeks I and III for Ordinary Time [Sion Sing]), then I either whip out my Liber Hymnarius, or take advantage of the GILH, n. 251, which permits us to use the hymns of another weekday of the same season.

And finally, who decides? The answer is the same as for all liturgical texts: the bishops’ conference with the recognitio of the Holy See.

 

[ProVobis]

More importantly: how do we know which hymns are actually “approved”? Sometimes the selections in the LOTH seem very random.

I just recently discovered that there are actual Introit and Communion songs listed in the missalettes for different Sundays. They “reflect the liturgical spirit of the day or season. Another psalm or hymn of similar spirit my be used in its place.” But AFAIK there is no list of approved English (or Spanish or any other language, for that matter) hymns that substitute for those listed. Seems like the Vatican has spoken on what it prefers.

 

[porthos11]

I just recently discovered that there are actual Introit and Communion songs listed in the missalettes for different Sundays. They “reflect the liturgical spirit of the day or season. Another psalm or hymn of similar spirit my be used in its place.” But AFAIK there is no list of approved English (or Spanish or any other language, for that matter) hymns that substitute for those listed. Seems like the Vatican has spoken on what it prefers.

The context of the OP question is clearly within the Liturgy of the Hours, not Mass. Hymns, strictly speaking, have no place at Mass; they are integral components of the Divine Office.

 

[Praedicare]

All the hymns published in the Liturgy of the Hours and Christian Prayer are approved, regardless of whether they were translated from the Latin hymns or if they were fresh compositions (and even those of questionable artistic merit). While I do prefer the Latin hymns (I have a Liber Hymnarius in my prayer kit alongside my Liturgy of the Hours) or direct translations thereof, the General Instruction is explicit in stating that fresh compositions may be used in VERNACULAR celebrations, with caveats (n. 178). The 1976 edition of the Liturgy of the Hours in English took advantage of this provision. It’s not what I prefer, but it is completely licit.

Thank you for including the General Instruction reference numbers. Very helpful.

I would therefore say, stick with what’s between the pages of your breviary. Now, however, if you are in the United States, “breviary” includes the Mundelein Psalter, which DOES use only hymns translated from the Latin, AND bears the Concordat cum originali required for liturgical use. Because of that, the Mundelein Psalter is a licit hymnal for the Liturgy of the Hours in the U.S. (only).

This approval does not extend to us here in Canada, which means that while it’s probably okay for individual prayer, it cannot be used for public celebrations (a representative from the CCCB confirmed this to me). I’m not bound to the Hours, but I follow what a permanent deacon would have to do to fulfill his obligation, and I do not use doubtful or unapproved material.

This irks me very much. If one set of texts is orthodox, approved, and licit in public liturgical prayer for English-speakers of one nation, why not for English-speakers of a neighbouring nation? In this context, it’s possible for one conference of bishops - with a less-than-edifying view of music - to maintain a stranglehold over the liturgy of millions. Sorry if that sounds harsh, but especially in Canada (home of the Winnipeg Statement, among other examples of defiance), I wish there was an “opt-out”. Thank God for the Liber hymnarius.

If I do come across a day during which I just can’t stand the hymn (e.g. Morning Prayer, Weeks I and III for Ordinary Time [Sion Sing]), then I either whip out my Liber Hymnarius, or take advantage of the GILH, n. 251, which permits us to use the hymns of another weekday of the same season.

Well, thank the Lord for GILH 251. It’s a saving grace of the new breviary.

And finally, who decides? The answer is the same as for all liturgical texts: the bishops’ conference with the recognitio of the Holy See.

This is so, but sometimes I get the feeling that the Holy See doesn’t look very carefully into the hymns in our books before giving Recognitio. “Amazing Grace” is in one of the Commons, for example, yet it has been seen as questionable by many generations of Catholics.

Anyway, it is what it is…