Chants Between the Readings Book Launched at OLEM

Published by Charlie Bohan-Hurst on October 19, 2026

A special Mass in Cambridge on 24 October will mark the launch of a new volume of the Graduale Parvum. Paul Henriksen, Vice Chairman of the Association for Latin Liturgy reports.

On Saturday 24 October, there is an open invitation to Catholics across the Diocese of East Anglia to come to Our Lady of the Assumption and the English Martyrs for a special Mass celebrated by Rt Rev Mgr Provost Eugène Harkness at 12 noon. We will welcome Bishop Alan Hopes, Bishop Emeritus of East Anglia, who will preach during the Votive Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Many people will be attending from 11.15am, especially to hear about the new book, Graduale Parvum.

On Saturday, the second volume of the Graduale Parvum, “Chants Between the Readings”, will be launched in the church immediately before the 12 noon Mass, with the announcement that “Communion Antiphons and Psalms” will be published shortly. This Mass, a sung Ordinary Form Latin Mass, will showcase the Graduale Parvum and demonstrate how its use can enhance the offering of Mass through its prayerful dignity and reverence. The Graduale Parvum, approved for use across England and Wales, will enable parts of the Mass to be sung in any parish which has someone musical — parts which are often missed out and not even read because it is a “sung Mass”.

These sections are important and intended to be used. The Introit, which is like the heading of a chapter in a book, announces the theme of the Mass, and these chants are designed in such a way that they fit in with the Mass by being very flexible. They are as short or as long as the action they are to cover: the entry procession for the Introit, and the receiving of Holy Communion for the Communion Antiphon and Psalm. Many of these chants have the option of being sung in either English or Latin.

As the main distributors of the Graduale Parvum, the CTS (Catholic Truth Society) will be speaking during the day about their support for parishes with this new resource and much more.

In the afternoon, Fr Anthony Reilly, from the Cathedral of St John the Baptist, will preside at Vespers and Benediction.

Full details of the day, which all are welcome to join in Cambridge or online via livestream, can be found on the Association website: https://latin-liturgy.org.