Periodically I receive questions and comments about the hymns that go with the Liturgy of the Hours.
"Are the hymns optional? Why do the hymn selections vary from one breviary to another? What hymns appear in the official Roman breviary and where can find them? How do I find a tune for a hymn when only the words are given? What do the number sequences such as 78.78 or 87.87 mean?"
The excellent and informative Breviary Hymns blog is a goldmine of information. I am just tickled that this blog exists. I mean, I thought I'd chosen a rather elite niche topic for my blog! Well, Breviary Hymns takes a niche within that niche. Posts include lyrics, history of particular hymns, the hymn in context of the liturgical season or feast, and often video clips of the hymn being performed. There's even this video of England's Mr. Bean trying to sing "All Creatures of Our God and King". (scroll way down to find it.) When I saw that, I knew that blogger Kevin Shaw was a kindred spirit.
Although we all have our own tastes in liturgical music, and I've made no secret that mine run to traditional, I appreciate that Mr. Shaw tries to see the value in just about every hymn in the breviary, helping us to appreciate or at least find interest in each of them.
I also love his resources tab! Lot's of stuff related not only to hymns but to the Liturgy of the Hours in general. Thanks, Kevin, for a great blog.
"Are the hymns optional? Why do the hymn selections vary from one breviary to another? What hymns appear in the official Roman breviary and where can find them? How do I find a tune for a hymn when only the words are given? What do the number sequences such as 78.78 or 87.87 mean?"
The excellent and informative Breviary Hymns blog is a goldmine of information. I am just tickled that this blog exists. I mean, I thought I'd chosen a rather elite niche topic for my blog! Well, Breviary Hymns takes a niche within that niche. Posts include lyrics, history of particular hymns, the hymn in context of the liturgical season or feast, and often video clips of the hymn being performed. There's even this video of England's Mr. Bean trying to sing "All Creatures of Our God and King". (scroll way down to find it.) When I saw that, I knew that blogger Kevin Shaw was a kindred spirit.
Although we all have our own tastes in liturgical music, and I've made no secret that mine run to traditional, I appreciate that Mr. Shaw tries to see the value in just about every hymn in the breviary, helping us to appreciate or at least find interest in each of them.
I also love his resources tab! Lot's of stuff related not only to hymns but to the Liturgy of the Hours in general. Thanks, Kevin, for a great blog.
