Catholic Hymnody at the Service of the Church: An Aid for Evaluating Hymn Lyrics (2020)

Catholic Hymnody at the Service of the Church: An Aid for Evaluating Hymn Lyrics

This USCCB document provides guidance for evaluating whether hymn lyrics are suitable for Catholic liturgical worship. Its primary concern is doctrinal fidelity, not musical style or artistic quality. The bishops emphasize that beautiful hymnody must communicate the truths of the Catholic faith accurately and in harmony with Scripture and the Church's liturgical tradition.

Hymn texts are not merely artistic expressions but instruments of catechesis. Therefore, lyrics used in Catholic worship should faithfully reflect Catholic teaching, draw heavily from Scripture and liturgical tradition, and help form believers in the fullness of the faith.

Two Key Evaluation Questions

The document proposes two general criteria for hymns used in Catholic worship:

• Are the lyrics consistent with Catholic doctrine?
• Do the lyrics use images, language, and vocabulary rooted in Scripture and the Church's liturgical prayer?

The bishops note that hymns are powerful catechetical tools. Repeatedly singing imprecise or incomplete theology can shape believers' understanding of the faith in harmful ways.

Catholic-Hymnody-at-the-Service-of-the-Church_0.pdf