With his "Mass," Leonard Bernstein uses liturgy to give voice to political unease.

Bob Dufford, S.J., started writing “Be Not Afraid” when he was, well, afraid.

David Haas gathers 132 songs from among his most widely known pieces, like “Blest Are They,” “We Are Called,” “Now We Remain” and “You Are Mine,” and others not as familiar.

Composer John Flaherty has been overseeing renewal and experimentation at the R.E.C.’s worship services for almost three decades.

The tradition of sung prayer dates back to the first millennium.

Composer Jan Michael Joncas kept the song under wraps for years.