New hymnal helps members of multilingual parishes worship side by side

PORTLAND, Ore. – Spanish- and English-speaking worship communities in the United States can celebrate their faith and culture side by side with a hymnal developed by OCP titled “One Faith, Una Voz.”

An announcement from the Portland publisher said it is the only Catholic hymnal featuring bilingual songs along with original language English and Spanish titles. It offers more than 800 multilingual songs designed to fit the needs of growing Latino-Anglo communities in the Catholic Church.

“The very nature of this hymnal speaks to the profound way a community comes together to pray despite differences in language or origin,” said Pedro Rubalcava, director of Hispanic ministries at OCP, a nonprofit publisher of liturgical music and worship resources.

“It provides a means for culturally diverse assemblies to unite in celebration of each other’s journeys of faith through song,” he added in a statement.

Greg Sendler, music director at St. John Neumann Church in Miami, said the new hymnal fits the parish’s multicultural population and “ultimately welcomes all to Mass.”

Rubalcava said that multicultural English- and Spanish-speaking communities were looking for a way to honor their own traditions, while sharing in the common act of celebrating Mass, and “One Faith, Una Voz” answers that need.

“Not all songs are meant to be translated; there are innate poetic qualities that can only be heard when the composition is sung in its original language,” he added.

The hymnal includes song selections for traditional rites and celebrations such as marriages, funerals and a “quinceanera,” the coming-of-age celebration for girls turning 15 years old. There also are seasonal choices for Easter and Christmas.

OCP has been in operation for more than 80 years. Worship programs it produces are used in two-thirds of Catholic churches in the United States and are distributed worldwide.