Celebrate St. John Henry Newman’s feast day on October 9 by listening to beautiful arrangements of his hymn texts and prayers. One of the most important theologians of the 19th century, he is the namesake of thousands of college student ministries. St. Newman was part of the Oxford Movement and an Anglican convert to Catholicism. When he converted in 1845, he resigned his prestigious teaching post at Oxford University. He was ordained and eventually made a cardinal by Pope Leo XIII. A well-known theologian and author, St. Newman helped found the Catholic University of Ireland in 1854. His writings have had a tremendous influence on the Church’s understanding of faith and reason, conscience, the development of doctrine and more. In addition to his works of theology, St. Newman was an inspired writer of hymns and poetry. He is a patron saint of poets and his prayers have timeless power and beauty.
The cause for Newman’s sainthood was opened in 1958 and he was declared venerable by Pope St. John Paul II in 1991, beatified by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010, and was canonized by Pope Francis in 2019. This year, Pope Leo XIV declared St. Newman the 38th Doctor of the Church!
In his encyclical on the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Dilexit nos, Pope Francis wrote about Newman, “his deepest encounter with himself and with the Lord came not from his reading or reflection, but from his prayerful dialogue, heart to heart, with Christ, alive and present. It was in the Eucharist that Newman encountered the living heart of Jesus, capable of setting us free, giving meaning to each moment of our lives, and bestowing true peace.”
Join in the celebration of our new Doctor of the Church by listening to and incorporating some of his hymns in your parish liturgies throughout the year. Titles including “Praise to the Holiest in the Height” can be found in Breaking Bread and Today's Missal Music Issue, and we offer a number of beautiful choral arrangements of his texts and translations. Explore titles below and listen to the full playlist on YouTube.
This beautiful text by St. John Henry Newman implores God's mercy and peace until the end of our days. Musically, multi-faceted composer Christopher Walker's setting is simple and elegant. Both the high and low versions may be sung by a soloist or by unison choir. Lesser skilled choirs could begin with the unison version. This simple anthem may be sung at any time but especially at funerals, All Souls' Day, or when the world is in need of God's peace, comfort, and encouragement.
This beautiful anthem is a succinct setting of one of Cardinal Newman's prayers. Ideal as a post-Communion reflection, this song is especially appropriate on All Saints/All Souls. It can also be used as a response to the Word of God at Evening Prayer or Night Prayer, at celebrations of the Anointing of the Sick, or at funerals. The score is structured to allow either a simple SATB rendition or a fuller setting using SSAATBB divisi. Short melismas, slow triplets, and tied figures impart speech-like rhythms to the piece despite remaining in 4/4 throughout.
This choral anthem is transformative for both choir and listener! Christopher Willcock achieves the ethereal emotion of the text, penned by Saint John Henry Newman, through effective use of dissonance and dynamics. At just over five minutes in length, this piece is ideal for a choral concert by a college, professional, or skilled liturgical choir.
Praise to the Holiest in the Height
Andrew Wright presents a majestic arrangement of the 1912 hymn tune, BILLING, scored for SATB choir, organ, and brass quartet. An extended introduction in the organ, almost a chromatic fantasy on the tune, is answered by full SATB choir on Verses 1 and 2, which are balanced by a cappella third and sixth verses. The fourth verse has a wonderful shift in texture, featuring the divided treble voices (SSAA) whereas the fifth verse is unison (T/B suggested). A short but inspired organ interlude leads to the fortissimo final verse, a powerful lyric repetition of Verse 1, with unison choir (ATB), soprano descant, and brass. This would be a fitting opening or closing hymn for solemn feasts, especially those with a focus on faith and praise (such as ordinations). Lasting about four and a half minutes, it can accommodate longer processionals.
This lyrical, wistful choral anthem for SATB choir with keyboard accompaniment sets an adaptation of St. John Henry Newman’s text by Maureen Briare. Because of its themes of comfort, light, and trust in God, it will work liturgically for funerals and Masses during November. A solo instrument (in C or B-flat) enhances the texture and parts for string quartet are available online for separate download. Set in B minor, it moves along in a flowing 4/4 meter.
Charles Thatcher takes the 14th century Anima Christi text translated to English by St. John Henry Newman and sets it to his own chant tone. Thatcher incorporates organ versets by Jean Titelouze (1563-1633) which serve as an introduction and interlude to a simple choral chant.