Hail, Mary Full of Grace NLPHB 79

As editor of the New Living Parish Hymn Book, John de Luca sparingly used the opportunity to put his own compositions in the hymn book.

This is his setting of the Hail Mary.

I made two backings but his work deserves better:

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.

Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb: Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.

His setting is exceptionally put of print so here is the sheet music. I’d be intrigued at any organist’s comments on their late colleague’s work.

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