Book of Sung Gospels
4th Edition

- Gary D. Penkala

PDF Sample

Use: General
Required Resources: deacon or priest
Language: English New 2010 Translation

In 1996, CanticaNOVA Publications released its first product - the Book of Sung Gospels (BSG). We believed that a book of chanted Gospel settings was needed to assist those who wanted to add solemnity and grace to special liturgies through the ancient and beautiful tradition of chanting the Gospel during Mass. With hundreds of these books now sold, we believe that our assessment was correct and are very pleased that so many priests and deacons have found this book useful. At every large Vatican Mass the Gospel is chanted, and the American viewing audience has become quite familiar with this beautiful practice.

The Fourth Edition of the BSG contains 42 Gospels from the revised Lectionary for Mass (1998-2002), with Introductory Dialogue from the Roman Missal – Third Edition. Each text is carefully set to a simple, yet beautiful chant tone, like the ones used at liturgies in Saint Peter's Basilica. The tone corresponds to the one suggested in the Roman Missal – Third Edition. Both music and text are presented in large type for ease-of-use during your liturgical celebrations.

Singing the Gospel can make a great contribution to the Mass. But hardly any celebrant has been trained to point the words to the Gospel tones, and most certainly lack experience in this skill. For this reason, I strongly recommend that you buy your priests the Book of Sung Gospels from CanticaNOVA. Mine came in on Friday and I'm very impressed. It covers all the major feasts in the new calendar, 42 in total. The printing is large. The music is easy to navigate, and, since it only involves three notes, it is not difficult from a musical standpoint. The difficulty would be knowing where and how to change notes and this book takes care of the entire problem. It is a paperback, saddled-stitch book, and one that every priest will really appreciate.

- Jeffrey Tucker, managing editor of Sacred Music journal and polyphony director of the Saint Cecilia Schola, Saint Michael Church (Auburn AL)

Read the Foreword, Editor's Preface, Preface to the Fourth Edition, Practical Information and Table of Contents online in our Musical Musings article, Notes on the Book of Sung Gospels.