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“A much greater source of anxiety to Us is the style of action of those who maintain that liturgical worship should shed its sacred character, who foolishly say we should substitute for sacred items & furnishings ordinary common things in daily use.” —Pope Saint Paul VI (14 Oct 1968)

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Views from the Choir Loft

The Living Parish Hymn Book

Veronica Brandt · August 10, 2013

WHILE AGO someone asked me if I could identify a half-remembered hymn book from his boarding school days in Sydney. It turned out to be the good old Living Parish Hymn Book, a diminutive little red book once widespread across Sydney, now washing up into the bookshelves of those who like the “old hymns”.

It was compiled by Rev. Anthony Newman in the early 1960s. The first edition was printed in 1961 so included Latin prayers for Benediction. Later editions include the New English Mass Text, with a glimpse into the changing translations in the early years. Most editions have little to no Latin, except for the title of some hymns in English translation.

The book has an old fashioned flavour, but avoids sentimental excess. Some hymns still retain “thee” and “thy”. Some more modern compositions use “you” and “your”.

The compiler seems to like Msgr Ronald Knox. Blessed Cardinal Newman also is well represented. There are a few Gelineau psalms.

The hymnbook is notable for the inclusion of the Hymns for the Year of Grace by James McAuley and Richard Connolly. These are some of the best hymns to come out of Australia, but all difficult to find online due to licensing considerations, except Holy Father God of Might from Richard Connolly available through Small Church Music.

The little pew book came first, starting in 1961. The Accompaniment Book was first printed in 1964. All the copies I have seen are labelled “Low Setting”, perhaps to placate those who will forever maintain the organ is playing too high. The Preface gives some guidelines for choosing hymns – no mention of the propers, though they use the terms “Introit” and “Gradual”.

inside living parish hymn book Living Parish Hymn Book inside living parish accompaniment living-parish-accompaniment
Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Hymnbooks Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Veronica Brandt

Veronica Brandt holds a Bachelor Degree in Electrical Engineering. She lives near Sydney, Australia, with her husband and six children.—(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    “What Martin Luther Said…”
    My pastor asked me to write little columns for the bulletin each week. The article for 20 July 2025 has been posted, and it’s called: “What Luther Said…” Martin Luther (an ex-priest and apostate) was an infamous heretic whose ignorance of JESUS CHRIST was only exceeded by his filthy and disgusting vulgarity.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Music List” • 15th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I prepared for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (13 July 2025). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and propers for this Sunday are also provided at the the feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    This coming Sunday—13 July 2025—is the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). All the chants have been conveniently assembled and posted at the feasts website. The OFFERTORY, Ad Te Levávi, is particularly beautiful.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Pope Pius XII Hymnal?
    Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Hybrid” Chant Notation?
    Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Antiphons Don’t Match?
    A reader wants to know why the Entrance and Communion antiphons in certain publications deviate from what’s prescribed by the GRADUALE ROMANUM published after Vatican II. Click here to read our answer. The short answer is: the Adalbert Propers were never intended to be sung. They were intended for private Masses only (or Masses without music). The “Graduale Parvum,” published by the John Henry Newman Institute of Liturgical Music in 2023, mostly uses the Adalbert Propers—but sometimes uses the GRADUALE text: e.g. Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (29 June).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“As late as 1834, British society had many restrictions on any person not adhering to the Anglican church. For example, Roman Catholics could not attend a university, serve on a city council, be a member of Parliament, serve in the armed forces, or even serve on a jury.”

— Regarding the Church of Henry VIII

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  • Worship the Lord in Holy Attire

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