Flemish Hosanna - Flemish Catholic Prayer and Hymn Book - WWII 1942

Vlaamsch Hosanna, a compact Flemish Roman Catholic prayer and hymn book from 1942. This new, revised edition was published during the Second World War by the Huis O.-L.-Vrouw van den Arbeid in Fayt-Manage, with Desclée De Brouwer in Bruges as the ordering address.

The book contains an extensive collection of prayers, Mass texts, devotions, and hymns in Dutch and Latin. In addition to the daily prayers and texts for the Mass, it includes sections on the sacraments, the Sacred Heart, Mary, various saints, litanies, and an extensive collection of spiritual songs. Notably, it includes hymns from the Flemish Catholic workers' movement, including “Harop! Kajotters”.

The ecclesiastical approval is dated 5 and 14 December 1942. This makes the book not only a religious devotional item but also a tangible document from Catholic Flanders during the Second World War. An old ownership stamp from the Diocese of Bruges further illustrates the copy's historical usage.

The dark brown flexible binding has a pronounced leather texture and a recessed religious monogram on the front cover. The text block is edged in a characteristic red.

The book shows signs of extensive use. The binding is worn and has lost material in places, particularly on the spine and back cover, and the hinges are weakened. Despite these signs of use, the interior remains in fairly good condition and shows normal age-related discoloration and occasional staining.

Details:

• Title: Vlaamsch Hosanna
• Edition: New revised edition
• Type: Roman Catholic prayer, Mass, and hymn book
• Year: 1942
• Period: Second World War
• Publisher: Huis O.-L.-Vrouw van den Arbeid
• Place: Fayt-Manage, Belgium
• Ordering address: Firma Desclée De Brouwer, Bruges
• Ecclesiastical approval: Bruges, 5 and 14 December 1942
• Extent: 438 numbered pages
• Language: Dutch and Latin
• Binding: dark brown flexible binding with leather texture
• Decoration: recessed religious monogram on the front cover
• Edges: red
• Provenance: old ecclesiastical ownership stamp, Diocese of Bruges
• Dimensions: approx. 13 × 8.5 cm
• Thickness: approx. 2.2 cm
• Origin: Belgium
• Condition: vintage used condition with clear wear to the binding, loss of material in places, weakened hinges and signs of age; interior remains fairly well preserved