Scripture References:
st. 3-4 = 1 Pet. 2:9
Irish Jesuit James Quinn (PHH 220) wrote the text to this hymn in Edinburgh, Scotland, as poetic commentary on sections of Vatican II‘s "Constitution on the Church" (chap. IV, see. 34-36; and chap. I, see. 1). The text was first published in Quinn's New Hymns for All Seasons (1969).
"Forth in the Peace of Christ We Go" emphasizes our responsibility as Christians to spread the gospel: we go to the world preaching Christ with joy (st. 1); we go as kings to show our servanthood to the King and to all people (st. 2); we go as priests to minister with the message of God's healing grace (st. 3); we go as prophets to speak his word (st. 4); we go as the church to bring Christ's peace and love (st. 5).
Liturgical Use:
As a dismissal or recessional hymn; in conjunction with sermons on "prophet, priest, and king"; at high festivals of the church.
--Psalter Hymnal Handbook
