Catholic Dictionary

Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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HYMN

A religious song of honor and praise, or of petition addressed to God or the saints. Hymns appointed for liturgical use are mainly taken from the Scriptures or based on some mystery of the faith as taught by the Church. All hymns used in the liturgy must be approved by an ecclesiastical authority. (Etym. Latin hymnus, song of praise.)