Hymns for Confirmation?

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quaeritor
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Hymns for Confirmation?

Post by quaeritor »

Are there any hymns for Confirmation emerging as "classics" from the more contemporary end of the musical spectrum? Our horizons are usually limited to the contents of Laudate (original edition) which is rather thin on hymns to or about the Holy Spirit (and, curiously, although there is a section on Sacraments and Rites it does not include any mention of Confirmation). In an effort to emphasise that this is a "whole parish" celebration, not just a primary school function we make the service a joint effort between the Choir and the Music Group. (We manage to do this amicably! :) ) I have tried to maintain an element of older music more appreciated by the older members of the parish, but this year I have finally lost my defence of the mighty "Come Holy Ghost, Creator come" as the opening hymn although I have managed to persuade the organisers that "Shine, Jesus, shine" is not a hymn to the Holy Spirit ("the clue's in the title" :? ) This has left us a bit short of material this year.

We are not confined to Laudate for this occasion as we print a service leaflet, so any suggestions will be most welcome.

Q
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VML
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Re: Hymns for Confirmation?

Post by VML »

We have used 'Come down, O love divine,' 'Breathe on me Breath of God', Taize 'Veni Sancte Spiritus' , -very simple ostenato, and beautiful verses; also Chris Walker's Veni Sancte Spiritus composed for JPII's Confirmation Mass in Coventry in 1982. That is a more challenging piece, with the counterpoint verses. Hope you find something useful.
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VML
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Re: Hymns for Confirmation?

Post by VML »

And there is always 'Walk in the Light', or 'All over the world, the Spirit is moving'. 70s and 80s I know, but sort of modern.
JW
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Re: Hymns for Confirmation?

Post by JW »

'Walk in the light' is in Laudate, though strangely not in the Pentecost section. It seems to be one of those where each parish has its own version. There is also a hymn called 'Holy Spirit of Fire' which is, I think in Hymns Old and New.
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High Peak
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Re: Hymns for Confirmation?

Post by High Peak »

From the "contemporary end of the spectrum" we have used:-
"Veni Sancte Spiritus" (Taizé) during the Sacrament itself.
"Be still, for the presence of the Lord" during the Presentation of the Gifts.
"Jesus, lead us to the Father by your Spirit" (by Sam Hargreaves @ RESOUNDWorship) during the Communion Procession.
alan29
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Re: Hymns for Confirmation?

Post by alan29 »

We use this Dona Pena song - I say "Yes" my Lord..Although it doesn't mention the Spirit explicitly the words are very apt. And people can join in easily while the candidates are being confirmed.
NB - we don't do the Spanish!
As usual with GIA there is a recording to listen to.
https://www.giamusic.com/store/resource ... rint-g5306
helen rees
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Re: Hymns for Confirmation?

Post by helen rees »

Have you tried Dave Wellington's Send us the rain Lord and Mike Stanley's Like the Dewfall which both went down well in our parish.
oopsorganist
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Re: Hymns for Confirmation?

Post by oopsorganist »

Laudate 305

Enemy of Apathy.
uh oh!
alan29
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Re: Hymns for Confirmation?

Post by alan29 »

oopsorganist wrote: Sat May 26, 2018 8:24 am Laudate 305

Enemy of Apathy.
Used to sing that. Fine words - have to take care with the speed or those quavers can gabble.
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VML
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Re: Hymns for Confirmation?

Post by VML »

How do the words 'She sits like a bird' personifying the Spirit as female, tie in with the creed, '...Conceived of the Holy Spirit,' ?
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Nick Baty
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Re: Hymns for Confirmation?

Post by Nick Baty »

Surely the Holy Spirit is beyond gender pronouns.
oopsorganist
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Re: Hymns for Confirmation?

Post by oopsorganist »

Yes Nick
but we would have......
The Lady, the giver of life.
uh oh!
oopsorganist
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Re: Hymns for Confirmation?

Post by oopsorganist »

I mean in the Nicene Creed.
uh oh!
oopsorganist
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Re: Hymns for Confirmation?

Post by oopsorganist »

Obviously the Holy Spirit is female.
Jesus is male we are fairly sure.
And God is always the Father figure.
Therefore.
The Spirit must be female!
Or what happens to concepts of justice. (Never mind fairness and equality).
uh oh!
oopsorganist
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Re: Hymns for Confirmation?

Post by oopsorganist »

Alternatively we could just assign she for he in everything liturgical, from now and for the next 2000 years so as to address imbalance.
uh oh!
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