In the Western Rite there’s room for what may be termed ‘paraliturgical’ hymns in our services. These are hymns or anthems or carols that are not prescribed as part of the official liturgical texts (as is the case for the Ordinary and Propers of the Mass), but rather serve to accompany actions like processions or the distribution of Communion, etc. And because these hymns are not part of the prescribed texts, there is some latitude that can be exercised regarding their source. The rules governing what songs can be used are not dogmatical, but they are very sensical. In a word, the Orthodox phronema is employed to choose.
I’ll return to the broader theme of hymnody in the Western Rite in the future, but at present I’d like to briefly introduce a set of general criteria for appropriate hymnody, and provide an example of a hymn that I think meets these criteria, a hymn especially appropriate both for the Feast of the Holy Name and for the Feast of the Ascension. Continue reading “The Glory of that Perfect Rest”