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Comparison of OCP Hymnals
September 8, 2026 - 6:31pm — Richard Schletty
Repertoire Crossover & Liturgical Fit
With the recent publication of Glory & Praise, Fourth Edition, we should take a look at the four major hymnals published by Oregon Catholic Press (OCP) to see how they stack up against each other.
Glory & Praise serves as a contemporary-leaning, cross-generational collection. In contrast, other flagship OCP hymnals favor heavy traditional repertoires or exclusively modern styles.
Core Structural Differences
The table below details how Glory & Praise, Fourth Edition matches up against Journeysongs, Third Edition and other core OCP options:
| Hymnal | Musical Focus / Style | Approximate Track Count | Target Community |
| Glory & Praise (4th Edition) | Cross-generational 50/50 mix; leans heavily into guitar/piano-driven Catholic folk, pop, and modern worship classics. | ~800 titles | Parishes seeking a vibrant, accessible assembly style with strong roots in the post-Vatican II folk movement. |
| Journeysongs (3rd Edition) | Balanced traditional-leaning; incorporates extensive Latin chant, historic hymns, and classical organ-driven liturgies alongside essential contemporary titles. | Over 850 titles | Standard, multi-generational parishes that prioritize choral, organ, and classic cantor-driven music. |
| Spirit & Song | 100% Contemporary; modern praise & worship driven by full bands (electric guitars, drums, keyboards). | ~360 titles | Youth ministries, Newman centers, or specialized contemporary parish Masses. |
| Flor y Canto (4th Edition) | Multicultural/Spanish focus; features diverse rhythmic styles from varying Spanish-speaking cultures alongside bilingual arrangements. | ~740 titles | Parishes supporting active Hispanic ministries or looking to build fully integrated, bilingual liturgies. |
Repertoire Crossover & Liturgical Fit
- The "Vibe" Shift: Think of Journeysongs as OCP's answer to traditional organ-and-choir hymnals, structurally comparable to GIA's RitualSong. Glory & Praise functions as a direct counterpart to GIA's Gather Comprehensive series, focusing heavily on joyful, communal singing with simpler melodic lines.
- Repertoire Crossover: There is roughly a 30% to 40% overlap in standard titles across both books. You will find standard masterworks from composers like Dan Schutte, Bob Hurd, and Bernadette Farrell in both hymnals. However, Journeysongs replaces lighter modern folk with formal hymnody and Gregorian chant settings.
- Mass Settings Accompaniment: Journeysongs, Third Edition contains 9 Mass settings, whereas the new Glory & Praise, Fourth Edition narrows its layout down to 8 heavily adopted settings tailored specifically for smaller, agile guitar and keyboard ensembles.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| OCP hymnals.jpg | 132.18 KB |
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