In Deuteronomy 31:19, God commands Moses: “Write out this song for yourselves. Teach it … and have them recite it, so that this song may be a witness for me.”
It was the concept of a written song that was “sent on a mission” at a time of confusion and division to be the beacon of divine clarity. Millennia later, Tu Pueblo Canta (Your People Sing) seeks that same divine clarity and witness, through the written and—importantly—sung song in the midst of today’s uncertainties. Millennia later, Tu Pueblo Canta (Your People Sing) seeks that same divine clarity and witness, through the written and—importantly—sung song in the midst of today’s uncertainties.
The Tu Pueblo Canta committee has constructed a firm foundation for the hymnal through careful and loving discernment of its intent and purpose. The committee is clear in its content and presentation to the Hispanic community. The combined knowledge and experience of each member represents years of pastoral leadership at the parish, diocesan, and national levels, applying insights gained through decades of commitment to Hispanic ministry. The committee attests to the cultural diversity of Hispanic musicians in the Church today and the richness that each brings to the Church.
The tagline “Tesoro de Fe Viva” along with the idea that “Tu Pueblo Canta is more than a book, it is a treasure” (as asserted in the expository sampler edition of this hymnal) are important affirmations and reminders for all hymnals. I found myself reflecting on the growth of these “treasures.” Today we are witness to liturgical renewal in process, a living Church with “composers [who] should feel that their vocation is to cultivate sacred music and increase its store of treasures” (Sacrosanctum Concilium 121). [The] Liturgical renewal sparked a general renaissance of Hispanic composers in the United States who began providing the new vernacular settings needed in their Spanish-speaking communities. Indeed, Flor y Canto, the first comprehensive Spanish-language hymnal published in the US, is a direct result of this growth. It motivated, in turn, subsequent generations, including the planners of Tu Pueblo Canta, to remain steadfast in their service to the growing Hispanic population.
Every hymnal is a treasure of composers, who Pope Pius XII addressed as a “true and genuine apostolate” (Musicae Sacrae 38). He wrote that “they should hold their work in high esteem… as ministers of Christ the Lord” (MS 39) and that, as Pope Paul VI wrote, “these charisms…are to be received with thanksgiving and consolation for they are perfectly suited to… the needs of the Church” (Lumen gentium 12).
Listing of Composers and Sources featured in Tu Pueblo Canta (click to zoom)
Growing up in the pre-Vatican II Church, early Spanish-language hymnals were important to the life of the Church, found not just in parish pews but in homes. Our Hispanic culture, for whom singing is a basic natural human expression, brought forth “a song for every occasion.” Songs carried us through joy and grief, through celebration and lament. Gathering up these songs that expressed our faith for centuries became our beloved treasure: the hymnals. Hispanic communities of faith revered their hymnals as portals to prayer, worship, and popular devotion. Hymnals such as Tu Pueblo Canta function as an anchor to the past while carrying forward the faith of our ancestors for new generations of faithful. The essence of our collective prayer, culture, and memory comes through each hymn!
Tu Pueblo Canta is an excellent addition to the treasures of the Church. Reflecting upon its vast music selections, the inclusion of new topics such as Celebraciones Populares (popular celebrations), Herencia Cultural (cultural heritage), and Renovación Carismática (charismatic renewal), is of significant benefit. This hymnal even includes Spanish translations of popular English-language hymns and Mass settings that have found favor in Hispanic communities. An important addition is the section of complete Lectionary Psalms settings for the three-year cycle of readings. Lastly, the committee took care to graciously “revive” some beloved earlier hymns worthy of preservation. All these elements contribute to a treasure that beautifully captures and celebrates our post-Vatican II musical journey.
Watermarked sample pages from the pew edition
The Church is in movement, and Tu Pueblo Canta focuses on the spirit and purpose of liturgical music. We are called to “acquire a fresh spiritual way of thinking” (cf. Ephesians 4:23) about the musical potential of the Mass, its meaning and function. “Anyone, therefore, who has learned to love the new life has learned to sing a new song, and the new song reminds of our new life” (St. Augustine). May Tu Pueblo Canta inspire all who use it to a deeper understanding of the Paschal Mystery and the liturgy of the Church.
-Mary Frances Reza