As musicians, we routinely witness — and personally experience — the powerful influence music has over our bodies, emotions, and minds. As parish musicians, our task is to wield this power in service of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus on the altar. Indeed, your music, by speaking to humanity in a language deeper than words, can save our world by drawing souls to Christ where He most longs to encounter them — in the Eucharist. Nothing can spark and fan the flames of desire — of longing, love, awe, and reverence — quite like music can when it is skillfully directed to the task. That’s why I’ve written Music and Meaning in the Mass — to guide you carefully through the principles that help draw congregants into active participation in the Mass. Rather than advocating any particular musical style in the liturgy,

Anthony Ruff, O.S.B., has written a brilliant, comprehensive, well-researched book about the treasures of the Church's musical tradition, and about the transformations brought about by liturgical reform. The liturgy constitution Sacrosanctum Concilium stated many revolutionary principles of liturgical reform. Regarding liturgical music, the Council's decrees mandated, on the one hand, the preservation of the inherited treasury of sacred music, and on the other hand, advocated adaptation and expansion of this treasury to meet the changed requirements of the reformed liturgy. In clear, precise language, he retrieves the Council's neglected teachings on the preservation of the inherited music treasury. He clearly shows that this task is not at odds with good pastoral practice, but is rather an integral part of it. The book proposes an alternate hermeneutic for understanding the Second Vatican Council's teachings on worship music.

In a manner that refelcts his broad historical and musical knowledge of the Church's liturgy, Father Deiss takes us step-by-step through the Eucharistic celebration of the Mass, paying attention not only to the liturgy's repertoire of music and song but also to its participants as well: the roles of the priest, the choir, the music director, the organist, the cantor - even the singing congregation He discusses every musical aspect and offers suggestions for improvement and sound, creative ideas about what the future may hold for Christian liturgy as we enter the twenty-first century.

A comprehensive, quick reference for all Episcopalians, both lay and ordained. This thoroughly researched, highly readable resource contains more than 3,000 clearly entries about the history, structure, liturgy, and theology of the Episcopal Church—and the larger Christian church worldwide. The editors have also provided a helpful bibliography of key reference works and additional background materials. “This tool belongs on the shelf of just about anyone who cares for, works in or with, or even wonders about the Episcopal Church.”—The Episcopal New Yorker

Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship provides basic guidelines for understanding the role and ministry of music in the liturgy. An excellent resource for priests, deacons, and music ministers!

"The Church has always sought a dynamic balance between the expressive and the formative attributes of liturgical music. (This book) traces the development of the Church's music through the ages and is a chronicle of the music we have used in the earthly Liturgy of the Church. .... " [from back cover]

This elegant resource offers more than 600 hymns that span the centuries and the continents. It includes hundreds of familiar hymns and nearly 200 fresh expressions of the Gospel. Lutheran Service Book presents a significant body of resources that faithfully proclaim our forgiveness and life in Christ.

"Professor William Mahrt of Santford Univeristy and the Church Music Association of America has written a sweeping book--one that it is at once scholarly and practical--on that most controversial topic of music and the liturgy. He provides an over-whelming argument that every parish must have high standrads for liturgical music and he makes the full case for Gregorian chant as the model and the ideal of that liturgical music." - back cover