As the first quarter of the 21st century draws to a close, a generational turning is visibly underway. There are signs of it all around us. The institutional memory of the 20th century is giving way to a generation whose identity was shaped amid global uncertainty, economic upheaval, and rapid technological transformation. Millennials now outnumber Boomers in the U.S. workforce and are moving into senior leadership roles just as they are becoming pastors in parishes. Gen Z is the first fully digital-native generation, whose entire lives have been shaped by the digital revolution. Retirements and changes in generational leadership accelerate across institutional hierarchies. And the list goes on.

At the time of this writing, the Catholic Church throughout the world is welcoming our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV—the first American pope, who was just 10 years old at the close of the Second Vatican Council. He, like so many other leaders in the Church today, are operating from the perspective of the council as history and documentation, and not as experience. This perspective is characteristic of a Church standing at the threshold of significant generational change.

The liturgical apostolate is witnessing this generational turning as well. Almost twenty-five years ago, the Church released the Instruction Liturgiam Authenticam which envisioned and sought to “prepare for a new era of liturgical renewal” (See LA 7). Since then, the present generation has had 15 years with the new English translation of the Roman Missal, has seen the retranslation of 10 other liturgical books, and awaits the arrival of the new English translations of the Liturgy of the Hours and the Lectionary for Mass in the immediate future. During this time, thousands of parishes across the country and world have taken up the call to celebrate the liturgy more beautifully and authentically. This, in tandem with effective evangelization efforts in the mode of Apostolic Mission, is leading to a noticeably increasing trend in conversions in the younger generation.

The Source & Summit Missal emerged in the midst of this generational turning, and is now entering its 5th year of publication. In many ways, it is a response to the hunger for beauty, authenticity, and transcendence that is so characteristic of our times—and this is the way that hundreds of parishes and hundreds of thousands of Catholics have received it since its initial launch. The Source & Summit Missal is more than just a pew resource—it’s a comprehensive liturgy and music solution for a new generation that integrates seamlessly with cutting edge digital tools while reflecting the timeless beauty of Catholic worship. The new era of liturgical renewal that the Church envisioned and began preparing for a quarter-century ago has come, and Source & Summit is here with the tools and resources you need to help make it a reality in your parish. 

The 2026 Source & Summit Missal: An Overview

The 2026 Source & Summit Missal, once again, is available in two editions: The Standard Edition (everything you need in one book) and the Companion Edition (no hymns, but with priestly orations). Here is a comparison of the two editions that can help you decide which one is best for your parish’s needs. 

Every missal subscription comes with a free Digital Support Plan on the Source & Summit Digital Platform as well as one free set of Accompaniment Books. 

The 2026 Source & Summit Missal is now in stock. You can request a sample copy for review, or request a quote to assist in your budgeting process.

Here is What’s New in the 2026 Editions

Cover Art

The 2026 Source & Summit Missal returns to its dark green (Year A) cover color, which will be followed again by blue (Year B), and red (Year C) covers in future years. The front cover features an image of St. Cecilia, patron saint of music and musicians, once again produced by Ruth Stricklin of New Jerusalem Studios. The inscription on the banner at Cecilia’s feet reads “Cantate in cordibus vestris Domino”, which translates “Sing to the Lord in your hearts.” This phrase is taken from Ephesians 5: 19, echoing what tradition holds St. Cecilia herself did, causing her to become the patroness of music.

New Hymns

The Source & Summit Missal, Standard Edition, has added several new hymns for 2026, including:

• All Praise to Thee, for Thou, O King Divine

• People, Look East

• O God, Almighty Father

• Christ is the King

• Jesus, Lord, Have Mercy

• O Love of God, How Strong and True

• Sing Praise to the Lord

• The Day Thou Gavest Lord is Ended

Other hymns, such as Lift High the Cross and Faith of Our Fathers, have had additional verses added with more original texts employed. The chants from the Jubilate Deo “minimum chant repertoire” defined by Pope Paul VI in 1974 are now prominently labeled as such in the missal. 

Improved Hymn Lyric Size

In response to subscriber feedback, each of the hymns in the Standard Edition has been re-typeset with a larger lyric font, which will significantly improve readability. 

Simpler Musical Options

Also in response to multiple customer requests, simpler musical options have been provided for the Easter Vigil alleluia and the Pentecost Sequence, alongside their typical musical settings. 

Revisions to Devotional Prayers

Based on popular demand, the Standard Edition now includes the Litanies of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Most Holy Name of Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary (the Litany of Loretto), and the Litany of Saint Joseph. It also includes the seven penitential Psalms within the section with resources for Confession. Also, in order to make room for these additions, the Stations of the Cross were removed from the Standard Edition (though it remains in the Companion Edition). In preparation for this change, several orders of the Stations of the Cross will be available on the Source & Summit Digital Platform this fall, where they can be customized to the needs of your parish and downloaded as a print-ready booklet. The stations according to Pope Benedict XVI, St. Alphonsus Ligouri, and others will be included. 

Missal Dimensions Unchanged

The Standard and Companion Edition dimensions will not change in 2026 from those found in the 2025 volumes. In previous years, due to paper availability, spine widths at times have fluctuated from year to year, but we do not expect that to be the case any longer in the future. As a result, any missal covers that you have purchased in the past can be reused without any worry in the years to come. 

Bring the Source & Summit Missal to Your Parish

Our parish support team is eager to answer any questions you may have, and to discuss the needs of your parish with you. You can contact us via email at any time or call us at (888) 762-7780.