Hymnarium O.P. Now Available

The Hymnarium O.P., a hymnal for the Liturgy of the Hours that makes available the Dominican heritage of liturgical hymnody, is now available for purchase from New Hope Publications. The Hymnarium O.P. has been published by the Liturgical Commission of the Dominican Province of St. Joseph in response to the 2010 Provincial Chapter’s wish to pray with “the Dominican and wider Gregorian Chant traditions in the Conventual Mass and Office” and the desire of the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council that chant “be given pride of place in liturgical services.” The Hymnarium presents hymns for the major and minor hours for Sundays and weekdays throughout the year, the Proper of Time, the Proper of Saints (including proper hymns for many Dominican saints), and the Common of Saints. The texts of the Hymnarium are derived from the Breviarium O.P. of 1952 and the Irish Dominican Breviary of 1967. Each hymn is provided in Latin and English versions set to a limited variety of chant melodies that are reused on various occasions throughout the book. Each verse is set to a chant melody, while also providing indications for singing the texts to metrical hymn melodies. The balanced number of melodies allows the repertoire to be easily learned and used, while still offering a rich variety that avoids monotony. The hymns contained in the Hymnarium belong to the musical patrimony of the Dominican Order, having been authored or compiled by friars over the course of centuries. To see the introduction, the table of contents, sample pages, hymn index, or to hear sample melodies, visit the Hymnarium website.