HYMN OF THE MONTH – November: Let a Pious Prayer Be Said
As part of my series on Catholic hymns, I have chosen a hymn appropriate for the Feast of All Souls and appropriate to sing during the month of November as we remember to pray for the poor souls in purgatory. The hymn was written by one of America’s first Catholic authors who became the pastor of one of the largest Catholic parishes in New York City. A forgotten American Hymnodist says Monsignor Hugh Thomas Henry.
Thank you, Don, for your excellent in-depth exploration of this beautiful hymn. The descant in the audio file is wonderful.
You have drawn from a vast collection of historic Catholic hymnals. I am particularly interested in the 1920 and 1948 editions of "Hymns Used by Pupils of Sisters of Notre Dame". In Saint Paul, Minnesota, I was taught by the "School Sisters of Notre Dame" (based in Mankato, MN). Not sure if this order was affiliated with the Boston order that created these hymnals.
Although the names are similar, the Sisters of Notre Dame are a different congregation from the School Sisters of Notre Dame. The Sisters of Notre Dame that I refer to in my write-up are the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. There are actually quite a few congregations with Notre Dame in the title. Whenever you see S.N.D., in the music score or hymn this is refering to the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. Whereas, S.S.N.D., would represent the School Sisters of Notre Dame.
The hymn books I featured in the write-up were published by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. These hymns books are somewhat rare, every so often you might find copies on eBay or Abebooks. I have yet to find a musical edition of these two collections.
Thanks for providing info about the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. The Corpus Christi Watershed link you gave reminded me that I probably downloaded that Sunday School Hymn Book from Jeff Ostrowski's website a few years ago.
Engagée dans la diffusion de la musique catholique, je cherche à partager des chants pour contribuer à l’œuvre d’évangélisation selon mes humbles moyens. Que Dieu veille sur chacun de nous !
I've written a Mass setting, got it approved by the USCCB, several psalm settings, and a couple years of gospel acclamation verses. Looking for a place to publish my works.
As a Catholic songwriter and singer myself, I want to contribute to the community and receive info on how to promote good Catholic songs to a wide audiences.
I am Catholic and a piano teacher. The Catholic Church has the most beautiful treasury of hymns.
I want my students to study hymns. Also, I want to memorize the words of some of the hymns that are in Latin and having access to the sheet music will help with that. Thank you.
I'm a music director at a Cathedral and a composer. I would love to hear other composers, music, ideas, etc. Additionally, I'd like to share my own music.
I am searching for a hymn sung on line in Canada - when I am confined to home and watch mass. I am a piano player for many years and would like to find the musical score.
I have written and recorded about 70 songs over the last two decades. I would like to share them with a larger audience. Thank you and God bless your work Ron St Martin
I am a Catechist that believes that religious song is the prayer of the angels, that lifts the soul. What better way to get a child to feel the present of God's peace
I am a practicing Roman Catholic always trying to increase my faith and holiness. I like Christian music particularly prefer Catholic Christian when I am driving or at home completing tasks.
I have been a minister of music for almost 40 years, and I am, primarily, an ear-trained pianist/composer. I am hoping that, becoming a member, I will be able to find sheet music (mostly, lead sheets, if available), that also contain the guitar chords, as I, typically, see them, and then, improvise, accordingly.
I am a resident organist and singer, also training choirs. I very much would appreciate learning more contemporary music to help integrate a wider and more diverse congregation. Thank you.
Need to replace copyrighted music on my YouTube Rosary channel (https://www.youtube.com/@mryan510) to stop the constant interruptions with ads. Perusing your site affords me with plenty of ad free solutions. I hope to donate to your site when I make my selections.
I want my prayers, my songs to be heard. I grew up Catholic and I have been composing songs since I was 16. I compose in different languages. I sing my own songs and play most of the instruments. My goal is to share my gift with the Catholic world, the gift God gave me. As they say, singing is praying twice. I want also people to know how Catholicism is universal. The only difference is the language but everything is the same. I want to share my ways of praising the Lord's name, and...
Comments
Let a Pious Prayer Be Said (Dirge)
You have drawn from a vast collection of historic Catholic hymnals. I am particularly interested in the 1920 and 1948 editions of "Hymns Used by Pupils of Sisters of Notre Dame". In Saint Paul, Minnesota, I was taught by the "School Sisters of Notre Dame" (based in Mankato, MN). Not sure if this order was affiliated with the Boston order that created these hymnals.
Thanks as usual for your Hymns of the Month.
Richard Schletty | Schletty Design and Music | www.schletty.com
Sisters of Notre Dame
Although the names are similar, the Sisters of Notre Dame are a different congregation from the School Sisters of Notre Dame. The Sisters of Notre Dame that I refer to in my write-up are the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. There are actually quite a few congregations with Notre Dame in the title. Whenever you see S.N.D., in the music score or hymn this is refering to the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. Whereas, S.S.N.D., would represent the School Sisters of Notre Dame.
The hymn books I featured in the write-up were published by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. These hymns books are somewhat rare, every so often you might find copies on eBay or Abebooks. I have yet to find a musical edition of these two collections.
There is the Sunday School Hymn Book that was also published by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur and copies can be found on eBay or you can download a copy here
https://www.ccwatershed.org/2015/01/20/sisters-notre-dame-sunday-school-hymn-book-1907/
Hope that helps,
Don
www.howefamily.com
S.S.N.D. vs S.N.D.
Richard Schletty | Schletty Design and Music | www.schletty.com