Songs That Make a Difference (in the faith life of American Catholics)

Here are some of the selections that we have received from respondents to the survey of liturgical songs that have made a difference in the faith life of American Catholics.

All Are Welcome
Text and music: Marty Haugen, b. 1950.
I believe that the words really are words for our time, both for our Church and our world. They tell us who we ought to be and what we are to be about as Catholic Christians. It calls us to be who we say we are. When we sing it at our parish I feel a real sense of community, even though I know we have a long way to go to be the ideal Christian community. When we sing it I experience a sense of unity even as it challenges us to strive together to become that more ideal Christian community. (Linda Corey, Eau Claire, WI )

Ave Verum Corpus
Text: Ascr. to Innocent VI, d. 1362. Music: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, 1756 - 1791.
In 2001, after 9/11, my church in New York City did a memorial concert and produced a CD to raise money for the firefighters' and rescue workers' widows. We chose Ave Verum among others, because it poignantly confronts suffering and yet it proclaims the core truth of our faith: Christ's suffering (and ours) is redemptive; he is with us in life, in the Eucharist forever, and in death that opens to eternity with him. (Colleen Baxter, Sarasota, FL )

Be Not Afraid
Text: Based on Is 43:2-3; Lk 6:20 ff.; Bob Dufford, sj , b. 1943. Music: Bob Dufford, b. 1943.
The message, "Be Not Afraid," is stressed multiple times by prophets, disciples, and Christ himself! This is the story of my life and this is the true word of God. He is always with us; hence be afraid of nothing! It gives much hope, comfort, and peace - things we all desire and strive for. (Andrew Berthold, Omaha, NE )

Here I Am, Lord
Text and music: Dan Schutte, b. 1947
I first heard this song shortly after publication when my sister completed her training for youth ministry. It spoke clearly of her reasons for vocation, and she and he husband (whom she met during training) still work in the field for the Oakland Diocese. Most of my family members have served our parishes as musicians, singers, CCD teachers, and ministers of the Eucharist. I still get a lump in my throat when I sing this hymn. How else do you respond to the Lord's call but to use his gifts in service to others? (Steven West, Morton Grove, IL)

Lord of All Hopefulness
Text: Jan Struther, 1901 - 1953. Tune: SLANE.
I have long loved this hymn as a prayer for God's blessing throughout the day, but it took on a new meaning as a prayer of blessing and thanks for a life when we used it for the funerals of my father and mother. (Gordon E. Truitt, Sykesville, MD)

I remember the first time I heard Lord of All Hopefulness . It was a rainy day and we were having Morning Prayer in the center hall instead of in church. I was in first grade and didn't have my own book or know the words to the hymn. I looked lost to an older boy with a book, who let me read over his shoulder. I thought it was really nice of him and now whenever I hear this song I remember it. I also think this hymn is very calming and peaceful. It makes me feel relaxed and makes me think about how God is always with me through anything. Our music teacher told us this morning that it is not only about him being there all day, but all throughout our lives, and the end of the day is like the end of our lives, and God is with us through all of it. That is why Lord of All Hopefulness is special to me. (Maria Lattanzio, Immaculate Conception Regional School , Franklin , NJ )

My Soul Is Thirsting (Ps 63)
Music: Michael Joncas, b. 1951
I find the psalms to be the richest source of my prayers. I am constantly amazed that a poet from 3,000 years ago has put into words the same experience of God that I have. Psalm 63 is one of my favorites and this setting has enabled me to memorize the psalm and keep it with me, no matter how far I may be from my Bible. (Terri Miyamoto, Staten Island, NY)

Pescador de Hombres
Text and music: Cesáreo Gabaráin, 1936 - 1991
This hymn was truly inspired by our heavenly Father as is expressed through the very eloquent expression of Gabaráin as he makes "eye contact" with the Spirit of Jesus. I have visited Catholic liturgies all over the world and have rejoiced to hear this unifying hymn sung in many different languages. This is the most requested hymn when our choir is asked to sing for funerals, weddings, birthdays, etc. (Cordelia Garcia, Santa Fe, NM)

Praise to the Lord
Text: Joachim Neander, 1650 - 1680; tr. by Catherine Winkworth, 1827 - 1878.
Music: LOBE DEN HERREN; Straslund Gesangbuch, 1665.
It is a great hymn of praise known to many Christians, Catholic and Protestant. When I was in college and sang in a concert choir, this hymn served as our theme, sung at the beginning of our concerts. When I passed my exam for my master's degree, I joyfully sang this hymn (all five of the original stanzas) on my way home in the car. I learned it in my Lutheran childhood and still use it in Catholic music ministry. (Naomi Matthews, Madison, WI)

Salve Regina
Text: attr. to Hermanus Contractus, 1013 - 1054. Music: Chant, Mode V
Connects us to 700 years of Catholics, and in its style and mood, really back to at least the seventh century. Together, the living and the dead make up the "cloud of witnesses" (Hebrews), and we are connected to the great saints of the past who sang these very words to this very melody. (Joe Mulrooney, Rochester, NY)

Tantum Ergo
Text: Thomas Aquinas, 1227 - 1274. Tune: ST. THOMAS
It connects with the early days of my faith life and I still find myself humming it. (Peggy D'Elia, San Francisco, CA )

The Cross of Love Blessing Prayer
Text and music: Rufino Zaragoza, OFM
This song unites people to the cross in a way that makes the cross something one would eagerly want to take up as it is a cross of love. . . . I cried and cried the first time I read the words. It struck a nerve deep within me, close to my heart.

An odd occurrence happened the first time I used this song. I included it as a song after communion for everyone to sing on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. On that Sunday I started the song and then heard strange sounds of metal clanging. I had no way of knowing this, but found out afterwards that an elderly man in the rear pew of the church had collapsed after receiving communion and an ambulance was called. We sang as they laid him on the stretcher, and as we sang the last note of the song, the ambulance workers were out the door. I of course had no idea of all that had transpired downstairs in the main body of the church, although the cantor's eyes were quite wide and her facial expressions a little unusual. It was even more startling to realize that the opening words of the song are, "May the Lord bless and keep you till your journey is complete." Fortunately the gentleman had not completed his journey just yet and was given the medical treatment needed. It was a strange coincidence for sure, but certainly for that gentleman a fitting song for the moment and a beautiful song celebrating the cross and our call to discipleship. (Katherine M. Joseph, Merrimack, NH )

The King of Love My Shepherd Is
Text: Henry Williams Baker, 1821 - 1877. Music: ST. COLUMBA, trad. Irish melody
This wonderful combination of inspired text and beautiful hymnody has found its way into my heart on many occasions, from mourning the tragic death of a young student to celebrating with my parish community. Henry Baker's text does brilliant justice not only to the psalm (23) itself, but to the remarkably well-intertwined themes of trust, faith, love, providence, reconciliation, and hope. Equally as impressive to me is the way that this extraordinary hymn-tune and the emphases of the text complement each other, within each verse and through the piece as a whole, creating a musical journey from quiet gratitude to awe-inspired joy. (Tony Ward, Omaha, NE )

The Lord Is My Hope
Text and music by M. D. Ridge
This song has been my source of strength during some of the toughest, hardest times of my life. It's so easy for shadows to confuse our vision or sorrow to claim one's heart, but the Lord is there always to help those who rely on him and his assistance and love. I find courage to move forward with this song. My Shepherd and King is forever with me; I know that I DON'T walk alone. (Patricia McGinley, Philadelphia, PA )

Voices That Challenge
Text and music by David Haas, b. 1957
When we first used this song at the campus ministry at James Madison University in Virginia , a young woman came up after Mass with tears in her eyes and said, "I've never heard anyone mention AIDS in church before. My brother died of AIDS, and I've been afraid to tell anyone about him, until now." Ironically, I had considered not singing that verse, because I didn't want to offend anyone. the young woman was voice that challenged me to keep singing for those who need their voices heard. (Steve Raml, Glendale, AZ )

We Are Called
Text and music by David Haas, b. 1957
This song speaks to me as a Christian who is called to make a difference in my world, whether that's in my family, my neighborhood, my work, or my main ministry, which is serving the people in Haiti through the PTPA program. It also reminds me of God's call to me that I experienced when I made a Cursillo weekend in 1995. (Mary Rehovsky, Nashville, TN )

Hmmmm. I vote for Tantum Ergo, Salve Regina (a personal favorite), Praise to the Lord, and three not on the list: "God of Grace and God of Glory" and "Guide me O Thou Great Jehovah (or Great Redeemer)" - both of which are sung to Cwm Rhondda, a magnificent Welsh tune. I haven't heard them since my Anglican days and I miss them, but the tune and both versions of the words are great! AnAmericanMother, as a fellow former Anglican , you may recall Cwn Rhondda and the two different sets of words to it. The other one not on the list is "The Strife is O'er".

From the Roman Catholic in Belarus website.

Have you seen The Anglican Use Gradual?

I do miss the Gradual Psalm Book but definitely not "815". ;) The OCP psalm stuff really grates on me.

You beat me to it!

Our choirmaster thinks that site is a hoot! Of course, he is a real old-fashioned musician and loves the chant and medieval and Renaissance polyphony. (Who wouldn't, once they hear it done well and reverently?)

I want to be able to be a part of mass and if it means I have to sing squishy little tunes that say almost nothing, Then that is what I do. But, since I am here and have seen what you beautiful people say ... here is what puts the extra starch in my shorts:

Doing the same Responsorial Psalm ... regardless of the readings or the season ... every Sunday. Such as:

"Taste and see that the lord is good."

What are the other highly repetitive psalms that people use ad nauseam?

Taking the Lamb of God and changing it to anything but Lamb of God. ... "Prince of Peace" ... "Merciful Lord" ... "Dude of Cool" Takes away the sin of the world ...

Aw jeeze louise, "Lord of the Dance"! GAG!!!!! Shudder!!! They made us sing that travesty at a "youth Sunday" at my old Baptist church in 1971 when I was almost 16. They made us sing it again on a "youth trip" to Brasstown, NC a short time later (the locals tried to be polite since we were visitors, but the looks on their faces.......I think they were praying the lighting would not hit us poor misguided youth). That was when my old Baptist church, like so many in that era, was trying to make itself "relevant to today's youth." GAG! That same year the real Baptist minister retired and they hired some liberal carpetbagger from Rochester, NY....it was all downhill from there. Three years later when I was in college I ended my membership in that church. By then, it went from godly Baptist to typical mainline liberal Protestant, and even in my then-agnostic days, I regarded it with disdain, as I wanted something substantial, not cotton-candy.

This "online survey" is absolutely worthless as a real tool for measuring popularity or signifigance.

Happily the number responding was paltry.

I don't hold that real representative results would be much different given the ridiculous way in which we all have these same stupid songs foisted upon us by the "liturgists".

I know that some songs have a faux sentimentality to them, but I don't think people really find such songs beautiful in the long run. Many songs (such as One Bread One Body) are just like pop songs from my high school days that I have a sentimental attraction to, but which I know are embarassingly vapid and immature.

Other songs, such as Tantum Ergo, Ave Verum or Joyful Joyful, never make me cringe in embarassment the way Glory & Praise songs often do.

What are the other highly repetitive psalms that people use ad nauseam?

All the Ends of the Earth

To you, O Lord

These are the same two we've been singing since Christmas.

Thanks so much for your post on OCP. As commentator, I read the prayers of the faithful, and some weeks I can barely get the words out of my mouth. Your article zeroed in on the problem. They are so long-winded and politically correct that at the end I am not sure what we prayed for.

They usually go something like this ".....for all world leaders that they may use their resources to bring justice and equity to the world" or

"....for the harvest, that we will work to distribute God's resources in a fair and just manner."

I can't take the socialist context of these prayers anymore. We have a new pastor in our parish and I think I will approach him about finding a new source for Prayers of the Faithful.

Whenever a song has us celebrating ourselves I want to shout "STOP THE INSANITY!" at the top of my lungs.

Thats why I hate the songs that have us singing God's lines in the first person (I will raise you up...).

I understand that to do so is not per se incorrect, but when every song focuses on patting ourselves on the back and none focus on worshipping "Him", I can't play along - even though I know all the words by heart. I simply won't sing some songs - I try to pray joyfully with a smile on my face during such songs.

Ignore the stupid things during Mass - consider them pennance that you serve as you suffer along with the Lord at nonsens and impropriety (however well-intentioned it may be).

Try to correct the essential errors when doing so won't cause you to be uncharitable or when ignoring them seems to shirk one's duty.

Marty Haugen ("All Are Welcome") was the music coordinator for my church as a kid (St. Boneventure Catholic Church in Bloomington, MN).

Marty Haugen is a Lutheran. Wrote all his songs and directed the music at a Catholic church and never converted to Catholicism.

He was a soft-spoken Kenny Loggins looking guy. Sort of a flower child without the drugs. Even though he was a nice guy, he always creeped me out, even as a kid. He even taught CCD classes - which I always thought was kind of an invasion. I recall one class where we spent an hour studying the lyrics to "Stairway to Heaven," not because he thought they were important, but because he simply had a lot of trouble keeping control of the students.

The Prayer of the Faithful

In the Prayer of the Faithful, the people respond in a certain way to the word of God which they have welcomed in faith and, exercising the office of their baptismal priesthood, offer prayers to God for the salvation of all. It is fitting that such a prayer be included, as a rule, in Masses celebrated with a congregation, so that petitions will be offered for the holy Church, for civil authorities, for those weighed down by various needs, for all men and women, and for the salvation of the whole world.67
As a rule, the series of intentions is to be
- For the needs of the Church;
- For public authorities and the salvation of the whole world;
- For those burdened by any kind of difficulty;
- For the local community.

Source: Revised Roman Missal

Another good source for generic prayers is from the Breviary...

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