New publication of Responsorial Psalms

The Interdiocesan Liturgical Commission has published a book containing Responsorial Psalms for Sundays throughout the liturgical year.

The Responsorial Psalm has gained importance since Vatican Council II. Thirteen centuries of tradition had limited the psalm to an organ piece: only a line or two between the first reading and the Gospel.

Since the Vatican II reform demanded “a more ample, more varied, and more siutable reading” of the Word of God, the present liturgy has a more ample, varied, and suitable responsorial psalm through which the community welcomes the Word that is proclaimed to it.

So the Interdiocesan Liturgical Commission asked Raymond Sciberras to compose music pieces for the Sunday Responsorial Psalms. The melodies created should aid the congregation in every parish to live an authentic celebration of the psalm.

There are two available versions of this publication: one for the organist and psalmist and another for the choir and the congregation.

These books can be bought from the Archbishop’s Curia and major Catholic bookstores. The hardback edition for the organist and psalmist is accompanied by four demo CDs at €50 whereas the paperback edition for the choir and congregation is €10.