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Approved Music Blake Thursday, June 3, 2010

Question:

Dear Bro. Ignatius Mary,

I pray the official four volume Divine Office and have done so for about 18 years. Are you aware of any approved songs that can be used in the Divine Office besides the ones already in the office itself?

Thank you.

Blake
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM

Dear Blake:

Sorry for the delay in answering.

Number 178 of the General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours states:

For vernacular celebrations, conferences of bishops may adapt the Latin hymns to suit the character of their own language and introduce fresh compositions, provide that these are in complete harmony with the spirit of the Hour, season or feast. Great care must be taken to not allow popular "songs" which have no artistic merit and not in true conformity with the dignity of the liturgy.

As with all liturgy the music must be in "true conformity with the dignity of the liturgy" and must have the permission from the Conference of Bishops.

All this means that only approved hymns may be used.

As far as I know the hymns approved for use are only those listed in the LOH books. Personally, I would not look anywhere else anyway, since the hymns listed in the books are particular beautiful and fitting for the liturgy.

By the way, the one-volume Catholic Book Publishing edition, Christian Prayer: The Liturgy of the Hours, has many approved hymns with musical scores included. We also have listed the Liber Hymnarius, which contains the hymns of the Divine Office for the seasons and solemnities. The great corpus of chant office hymns under one cover.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary