Liber Brevior

Liber Brevior (Reprint of the 1954 Edition)

First published in 1954 by Desclée in Belgium and the Gregorian Institute of America, the Liber Brevior was created as a practical alternative to the massive Liber Usualis. While the Liber Usualis includes both the Divine Office and the Mass, the Liber Brevior focuses solely on what most choirs need: the sung portions of the Mass (Ordinary and Propers). This makes it an ideal resource for parish choirs, chapels, and schools.

Features of Our Reprint

• Faithful reproduction of the original 1954 edition, down to the texture and size of the cover

• Two colored ribbon markers (matching the original)

• White round edges (our other edition has red edges, like the original)

• Supplement with five additional Masses not in the 1954 edition:

  • St. Joseph the Worker

  • The Queenship of Mary

  • St. Pius X

  • The North American Martyrs

  • Our Lady of Guadalupe

• Supplement for the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Paschal season votive Mass)

• Updated chart of moveable feasts (current through 2051)

• Corrected errors from the original (improved word-to-note correspondence)

• Additional Graduals, Alleluias, and Tracts in simplified chant tones

Why Choose the Liber Brevior
Compact and easier to handle than the Liber Usualis, this book gives choirs everything needed for the sung Mass without the weight of the Divine Office. It’s a perfect solution for teachers, parish musicians, and students—ensuring each singer can have their own copy without the need for constant photocopies.

A faithful, durable, and practical reprint of one of the most beloved chant books of the 20th century.