This hotly anticipated collection of new songs written by Australian Catholic song-writers from Willow Publishing, available in hard copy and e-book form, has been launched today. I had a small hand in one of the songs as it originated in a workshop last year with four of us throwing words around and Gen Bryant massaging it into music, as we were lucky enough that she had the guitar!
It was amazing to see what a hot house collective can bring together in a short space in time and it was a great experience. I think it is the way to go for songwriters in Australia to bounce things off each other in person or virtually, as a way to see the Holy Spirit working in our music.
You can purchase the collection at Willow.
The important information from Willow is:
In this remarkable Year of Jubilee, we are blessed to present the Pilgrims of Hope Music Collection for Parishes & Schools, a vibrant anthology of ten original compositions by celebrated and emerging Australian sacred music composers. This collection embodies Pope Francis’s vision that “the joy of the Gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus,” offering fresh musical expressions of faith that resonate across generations and cultures.
The collection’s strength lies in its diversity and accessibility. From a jubilant anthem to contemporary arrangements that engage worshippers in prayer and praise. Each piece has been crafted with congregational singing in mind.
The lyrics throughout the collection are carefully aligned with the themes of the Jubilee Year, exploring hope, renewal, and communal joy. As Pope Francis reminds us, “Hope opens new horizons, making us capable of dreaming what is not even imaginable.” These songs give voice to that dream, providing parishes and schools with fresh ways to express their faith through music.
Whether used in liturgical celebrations, school Masses, or community gatherings, this collection offers something for every setting and occasion. The arrangements are designed to be adaptable, allowing both skilled musicians and developing music ministries to bring these songs to life in their communities.
The collection features songs by the following established and emerging artists living in dioceses around Australia: Lauren Bierer, Gen Bryant, Kallie Deegan, Beth Doherty, Timothy Hart, Michael Harvey, Maeve Louise Heaney, Toni Janke, Steph Jorna, Danielle Anne Lynch, Geoffrey Madden, Brigid McNally, Monica O’Brien, Gina Ogilvie, Patricia Smith, Ashen Warnakulasooriya and Trisha Watts.
The Pilgrims of Hope Music Collection for Parishes and Schools offers something for every setting and occasion.
Bundle: The bundle includes the music book, the recordings, and the presentation slides for the lyrics.
Music Book: The arrangements are designed to be adaptable, allowing both skilled musicians and developing music ministries to bring these songs to life in their communities .
Recordings: The recordings have been professionally recorded.
Presentation Slides: The slides display the lyrics for each song in an easy-to-read format with a font size of 40 points with a choice of a black background with white text and a white background with black text.
Physical Music Book: For a limited time, the Music Book is available in printed book format. Orders must be placed at this link: bit.ly/4asqmn8
Titles:
- Fan The Flame Of Hope – Music: Michael Harvey. Lyrics: Monica O’Brien.
- Hope In Love – Lauren Bierer, Kallie Deegan, Timothy Hart, Danielle Anne Lynch, Trisha Watts.
- On This Sacred Ground – Maeve Louise Heaney, Toni Janke.
- Here At The Table – Music: Michael Harvey. Lyrics: Gina Ogilvie.
- To The Table We Are Called – Music: Michael Harvey. Lyrics: Monica O’Brien.
- All the Hungry, Come – Beth Doherty.
- Holy Spirit Of The Great South Land – Patricia Smith.
- Hold Us Close – Music: Gina Ogilvie. Lyrics: Monica O’Brien.
- Be Hope! – Music: Gen Bryant. Lyrics: Gen Bryant, Steph Jorna, Geoffrey Madden, Brigid McNally.
- Hope Is Alive! – Music: Gen Bryant & Ashen Warnakulasooriya. Lyrics: Gen Bryant.
If you like hard copies like me, you best get in while they are being made. I’ll look at them all once my copy arrives and I will be getting copies for the local school and you might want to think about donating some copies of the music to your local school.
I have already looked at the very impressive songs for Eucharist, “To the Table We Are Called” and “Here at the Table” if you want to get an earlier look.
