Effata

Effata is the title of a Catholic hymn book for young people published at Passau, Germany, in 1990, sub-titled ‘Neue religiöse Lieder für Gottesdienst’ (‘New songs for Sunday worship’). The title is explained as ‘öffne dich’, open thyself, probably best rendered in English as ‘open up!’ Continuing the metaphor, it encourages young people to have open minds to meet with God and other people. Its structure is strikingly traditional. It is within the context of the normal Sunday service that these short pieces are to be used. The book begins with Holy Communion (there are four settings of the ‘Kyrie eleison’*), going on to the Christian year and other frequently found elements of worship, such...