The hymn suggestions below are either directly about poverty or social justice issues, or about recognising the dignity of all human beings no matter what their economic status.
I am still looking for other free-use hymns which may be suitable. If you have any suggestions, please leave a message in the Comments box at the bottom of the page.
About World Day of the Poor
This day was instituted in 2016 by Pope Francis, at the end of the Year of Mercy. It invites Christians to see people who are poor not simply as recipients of charity, but as human beings who we have an on-going relationship with, and as people who have a particular insight into the Gospel.There are no specific readings or prayers for the day - rather the ones for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time are used.
The Pope's message for the first World Day of the Poor is available here.
For 2017, the Caritas Social Action Network of England and Wales has prepared some liturgy resources.
Free-use hymns
- Blest are the Poor in Heart
- In Christ there is no East or West
- Savior How Few There Are - Charles Wesley
- The Poor as Jesus’ Bosom-Friends - Charles Wesley
- Which of the Christians of Now? - Charles Wesley
Hymns that may still be copyright
- A Touching Place - Bell
- Abundant Life - Haugen
- All are Welcome
- And They'll Know we are Christians
- Beauty for Brokenness
- Bread for the World
- Called to Shed Light - Fawcett
- Christ be our Light
- Christ is our King
- Come to the Water (O let all who thirst) – Foley
- For the Healing of the Nations - Kaan
- Gather Your People O Lord
- Give me Ears
- Heaven Shall not Wait - Bell / Maule
- Jesus Christ is Waiting - Bell
- Let Justice Roll Down Like a River - Murray / Gibson
- O God who Gives the Fertile Seed - Dudley-Smith
- Remember Me
- Return to God - Haugen
- Servant Song
- Sent by the Lord am I - Maldonado
- Take my Hands Lord - Rizza
- Tell out my Soul
- The Cry of the Poor
- The Kingdom of God is Justice and Peace – Taizé
- The Magnificat - various settings
- There's a Spirit in the Air - Wren
- Till all the Jails are Empty - Daw
- Whatsoever You Do
- When I Needed a Neighbour
- Within the Reign of God
You might like to consider the 'assembly' version of "Abundant Life" - Marty Haugen? I believe that one is permitted to photo-copy the 'assembly' version, but not the full score. Original is from GIA and easily obtained.
ReplyDelete