Customer Reviews

Adoremus Hymnal: Pew Edition

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The Adoremus Hymnal is almost certainly the best hymnal in print. It is lovingly bound, and full of the best English and Latin hymns. It does not try to "simplify", "modernize", or (worse still) "gender-revise" the text of these hymns, and thus presents this sacred music as it should be. Best of all, it has several Gregorian-chant settings of the Mass, in Latin as well as English.

There are two criticisms of which the makers of this hymnal should be aware: first, there are no psalms included, and these are badly needed, both in Latin and English. Second, there are a great many beautiful and venerable hymns that could be added; I hope the hymnal expands in future editions (_without_ including the rather mediocre hymns that have appeared since the 1970's).

This is the ideal for congregational singing. The best hymnal for any Catholic Church from the parish to the cathedral.

I am not R.C. myself, but sometimes I have occasion to go to R.C. services. I have nearly always been disappointed both by the quality of the music and the execution thereof. Not so long ago I had occasion to attend a R.C. service where "The Adoremus" hymnal was used; I could scarcely believe my ears. The congregation---a diverse one, with people from infants up through octegenarians, both Caucasians and African Americans--sang with enthusiasm. It seemed as though the 'Senior Citizens' and the Teens and Twentysomethings were most into it, while the 30 through 50 year olds were more passive.

While I can't claim to be an expert on RC music ministries, I can't help think that this hymnal had something to do with the quality of the worship life.

Great quality printing and binding. Easy to follow, large print, side by side: English and Latin Mass plus scores of Hymns. It would be extremely useful if you are attending a Latin Mass or a Mass in a Non-English speaking country where the language is based on Latin, such as: Spain, Portugal, Italy, France and Central & South America. Recommended for all Catholics.

I concur with the other reviewers that this is one of the best hymnals available today for the Novus Ordo mass. It is beautifully bound with two ribbon markers for the mass and the hymns. The order of the mass is divided in such a way that it makes it very easy to follow for those that are not familiar with the mass or with the mass said in Latin. The hymn selection is smaller than most hymnals, but the selections are very good. Also includes benediction at the end. This should be a "default" hymnal for most American Catholic parishes.

Being disabled I'm not always able to make it to church on the days that I'd like to go. The Adoramus Hymnal allows me to follow the mass on EWTN whenever I want. Clearly understandable format and index makes it so easy for anyone to participate in the beautiful experience of the sacrement.

I wanted to follow music for the daily mass on EWTN and this book helps me do that. Great buy!

Has the Latin used in mass on TV. Great to follow mass and learn the latin by heart.

Ignatius Press needs to fire the person who proof read the 2011 Adoremus Hymnal Second Edition (or give them a job licking stamps in the back room).

The number of mistakes in this new edition is inexcusable. Period.

Just to give you an example, consider Hymn 303 On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry. I quote the lyrics as they appear in the hymnal below (the bracketed parts are missing in the hymnal).

"On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry
Announces that the Lord is nigh;
Awake and hearken for he brings
Glad tidings of the King of Kings

Then cleansed be ev[ery] breast from sin;
Make straight the way of God within;
Prepare we in [our] hearts a home,
Where such a mighty guest may come.

For thou art our [sal]vation Lord,
Our refuge and our great reward;
Without thy grace [we] waste away,
Like flow'rs that wither and decay.

To heal the sick [stretch] out thine hand,
And bid the fallen sinner stand;
Shine forth and let [thy] light restore
Earth's own true loveliness once more.

All praise, eternal Son, to thee
Whose advent doth thy people free,
Whom with the Fath[er] we adore
And Holy Ghost for evermore. Amen."

It breaks my heart. The idea behind the Adoremus Hymnal is fantastic -- Latin and English text of the Mass, chant, and classic hymns. If the liturgical movement wants to be taken seriously (at least the Ignatius Press version of the liturgical movement), they need to up their game. Letting something like this be published with the Adoremus Society and Ignatius Press names associated with it is an embarrassment.

This is a depressing little volumne. It will appeal to cahtolics whose musical taste stoppped in 1953. I can't imagine any parish, with a diverse community of ages, choosing this hymnal. If this is the only music resource available in a parish, there will be no real variety. The editorial content shows that modern music is low man on the totem pole. I know of NO teenager or babyboomer who would be 'inreiched' by singing so many songs in latin and with such dreary melodies. This is a good volumne for musicologists studying the place of music in the catholic liturgy. For those who want to have a music program with selections that are beautiful, contemporary and speak to this generation the Gospel of Christ, do look elsewhere. The musical selections are unrealistic in their relenting criteria of "nothing post Vatican II is really good, musically." I'm thankful it does not have a place in the majority of American parishes.