A hymnal is a Catholic’s most prized possession, after the Bible. A good hymnal offers a distillation of the great saints and the history of the Catholic Church. It unifies the congregation, strengthens our relationship with God, and teaches us the word of the Lord. Choosing a hymnbook for your church is an important job that requires careful 
consideration. Consider the following tips for picking the best hymnal for your church and congregation.
- Create a committee. This big decision shouldn’t be left to any single member of the congregation. It should be decided by a committee made up church elders, church musicians, and others who know the word of God very well. Work together to identify the hymnbooks that would best suit your church, and pray about your choices.
- Talk to sister churches. Reach out to your sister churches and ask what hymnbook they use. Find out how they like their hymnbook and whether they’d recommend it for your congregation.
- Review the hymns. Make sure the hymnbook covers the different periods in Catholic Church history, as well as represents the prominent writers of those times. Hymnbooks are a valuable teaching tool, so you don’t want a hymnal that concentrates too much on a single period or writer. Similarly, make sure the hymnal covers all the key teachings of the bible and that no chief truths are missing.
- Don’t focus too much on contemporary songs. While it can be beneficial to incorporate the latest hymns into your worship, don’t dismiss hymnals that don’t include the newest songs. Your hymnal will serve your church for many years to come, and you want a hymnbook that’s timeless and features the top traditional songs. When you want to use a more modern song in your service, you can print out the music and show it using an overhead projector.
- Consider the type and print quality. Make sure the book itself is of high quality. Consider the paper and print quality and the readability. Is the text clear and large enough for seniors in your congregation to read?
When choosing a hymnal for your church, be sure to consider these five tips. American Catholic Hymnbook is a bestselling hymnal that features songs from every ethnic tradition and music for the entire liturgical year. View American Catholic Hymnbook reviews to determine if it’s well-suited for your church.