Hymns and Masses for Catholic Schools

complied by AFPC

This list of Masses and Hymns suitable for use in Catholic Schools was compiled by the American Federation Pueri Cantores, a Student Choral Organization of the Catholic Church, in recognition of a corporate partnership with the National Catholic Education Association.

Purpose

This list is intended to assist those tasked with selecting music appropriate for Catholic school Masses and other liturgies. A brief annotated list of source books and hymnals where music for the entries may be found is included at the conclusion, with appropriate codes following each title. The titles are especially well suited for young voices, and have been used successfully in Catholic parish and school communities. These selections are easily taught, and special consideration has been given to music featuring strong melodies, coherent rhythms and forms, and meaningful and substantive texts.

Mass Ordinaries *

• Community Mass (Richard Proulx) GIA Music (English) — W4
• Chants of the Roman Missal (ICEL) International Committee on English in the Liturgy (English) — ICEL
• New Mass for Congregations (Carroll T. Andrews) GIA Music - Gloria (English) — W4
• People’s Mass (Jan Vermulst) World Library Publications (English) — OF, SMH
• Gregorian Chant Mass XVI Kyrie (Greek) — PD
• Gregorian Chant Mass VIII (Missa de Angelis) Gloria Latin) — PD
• Gregorian Chant Mass XVIII Sanctus and Agnus Dei (Latin) — PD

Hymns – Litugical Year

Advent

• Come, O Long-Expected Jesus (STUTTGART) or (JEFFERSON) — AH, W4, J3, OC
• Creator of the Stars of Night (CONDITOR ALME SIDERUM) — AH, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• O Come, Divine Messiah (VENEZ,DIVIN MESSIE) — AH, OF, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (VENI EMMANUEL) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• On Jordan’s Bank (WINCHESTER NEW) — AH, OF, SMH, W4, OC
• People, Look East (BESANÇON CAROL) — OF, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• Rorate cæli (chant) — AH, SMH
• Savior of the Nations, Come (NUN KOMM DER HEIDEN HEILAND) — AH, OF, SMH, W4
• The King Shall Come When Morning Dawns (MORNING SONG) — OF, W4, OC
• When the King Shall Come Again (GAUDEAMUS PARITER) — W4, J3

Christmastide (lasts through Baptism of the Lord)

• Angels We Have Heard on High (GLORIA) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• Away in a Manger (CRADLE SONG) or (MUELLER) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen (GOD REST YOU MERRY) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3
• Hark, the Herald Angels Sing (MENDELSSOHN) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3
• It Came Upon the Midnight Clear (CAROL) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• Joy to the World (ANTIOCH) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming (ES IST EIN’ ROS’ ENSTSPRUNGEN) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3
• O Come, All Ye Faithful (ADESTE FIDELES) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• O Little Town of Bethlehem (SAINT LOUIS) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• Of the Father’s Love Begotten (DIVINUM MYSTERIUM) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• Once in Royal David’s City (IRBY) — AH, OF, PD, W4, J3
• Silent Night (STILLE NACHT) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC

Epiphany

• As with Gladness Men of Old (DIX) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• Songs of Thankfulness and Praise (SALZBURG) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• The First Nowell (THE FIRST NOWELL) — AH, OF, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• We Three Kings of Orient Are (KINGS OF ORIENT) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• What Child Is This (GREENSLEEVES) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC

Baptism of the Lord

• When Jesus Came to Jordan (DE EERSTEN ZUN DE LAASTEN) or (MERLE’S TUNE) — W4, OC
• When John Baptized by Jordan’s River (RENDEZ À DIEU) — OF, W4, J3
• Songs of Thankfulness and Praise (SALZBURG) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC

Ash Wednesday / Lent

• Again We Keep This Solemn Fast (ERHALT UNS HERR) — OF, W4, J3, OC
• Attende Domine (chant) — AH, OF, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• Forty Days and Forty Nights (HEINLEIN) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• From Ashes to the Living Font (SAINT FLAVIAN) or (LAND OF REST) — OF, W4, OC
• Lord, Who throughoutThese Forty Days (SAINTFLAVIAN) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• O Sun of Justice (JESU DULCIS MEMORIA) — W4
• Parce Domine (chant) — AH, OF, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• The Glory of These Forty Days (ERHALT UNS HERR) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC

Palm Sunday

• All Glory, Laud and Honor (SAINT THEODULPH) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• Hosanna, Loud Hosanna (ELLACOMBE) — PD

Holy Thursday

• At That First Eucharist (UNDE ET MEMORES) — OF, W4, J3
• Pange lingua (chant) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3
• Ubi caritas (chant) — AH, ICEL, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3

Good Friday

• Ah, Holy Jesus (HERZLIEBSTER JESU) — AH, SMH
• O Sacred Head Surrounded (PASSION CHORALE) — AH, OF, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• Sing, My Tongue (PICARDY) or (FORTUNATUS NEW) — AH, W4, J3, OC
• Stabat Mater / At the Cross Her Station Keeping (STABAT MATER) — AH, OF, SMH, W4, J3, OC

Eastertide (lasts through Pentecost)

• At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing (SALZBURG) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• Christ Is Alive (TRURO) — OF, W4, J3
• Christ the Lord Is Risen Today (LLANFAIR) or (SURGIT IN HAEC DIES) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3
• Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain (GAUDEAMUS PARITER) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3
• Hail Thee, Festival Day (SALVE FESTA DIES) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3
• I Know That My Redeemer Lives (DUKE STREET) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• Jesus Christ is Risen Today (EASTER HYMN) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• O Sons and Daughters (O FILII ET FILIÆ) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• Regina cæli (chant) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• Sequence: Victimæ paschali laudes (chant) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• Sing Alleluia, Praise the Lord (BECHLER) — PD
• Sing with All the Saints in Glory (HYMN TO JOY) — OF, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• The Strife is O’er (VICTORY) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• This Is the Feast of Victory (FESTIVAL CANTICLE) — OF, W4, J3, OC

Ascension

• A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing (LASST UNS ERFREUEN) — PD, SMH, W4, OC
• Go to the World! (SINE NOMINE) — W4, OC
• Hail the Day that Sees Him Rise (LLANFAIR) — AH, OF, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• Hail Thee, Festival Day (SALVE FESTA DIES) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3

Pentecost

• Come Down, O Love Divine (DOWN AMPNEY) — AH, OF, SMH, W4, J3
• Come, Holy Ghost (LAMBILLOTTE) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• Hail Thee, Festival Day (SALVE FESTA DIES) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3
• Lord, You Give the Great Commission (ABBOT’S LEIGH) — OF, W4, J3, OC
• Sequence: Veni Sancte Spiritus (chant) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• Spirit Divine, Accept Our Prayers (GRÄFENBERG) — OF, SMH
• Veni Creator Spiritus (chant) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC

Hymns – Solemnities of the Lord

Trinity

• Holy God, We Praise Thy Name (GROSSER GOTT) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• Holy, Holy, Holy (NICÆA) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• O God, AlmightyFather (GOTT VATER SEI GEPRIESEN) — AH, OF, W4, J3

Body and Blood of Christ [Corpus Christi] / Eucharistic

• Adoro Te Devote (chant) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• At That First Eucharist (UNDE ET MEMORES) — OF, W4, J3
• Draw Near (NEALE) — OF, W4
• Draw Us in the Spirit’s Tether (UNION SEMINARY) — OF, SMH, W4
• I Receive the Living God (LIVING GOD) — OF, W4, J3, OC
• Jesus, My Lord, My God, My All (SWEET SACRAMENT) — AH, OF, PD, SMH
• Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence † (PICARDY) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• Where Charity and Love Prevail (CHRISTIAN LOVE) — OF, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• You Satisfy the Hungry Heart / Gift of Finest Wheat (BICENTENNIAL) — OF, SMH, W4, J3, OC

Sacred Heart of Jesus

• To Christ, the Prince of Peace (FESTAL SONG) — AH, W4
• Love Divine, All Love’s Excelling (HYFRYDOL) — AH, OF, SMH, W4, J3, OC

Christ the King

• At the Name of Jesus (KING’S WESTON) — AH, SMH, W4, J3
• Crown Him with Many Crowns (DIADEMATA) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• Hail, Redeemer, King Divine (SAINT GEORGE’S WINDSOR) — AH, OF, SMH, J3
• Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven † (LAUDA ANIMA) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• The King of Love My Shepherd Is (SAINT COLUMBA) — AH, OF, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• To Jesus Christ, Our Sovereign King (ICH GLAUB AN GOTT) — OF, SMH, W4, J3, OC

Hymns – Topical

Christ

• At the Name of Jesus (KING’S WESTON) — AH, SMH, W4, J3
• Christ Is Alive (TRURO) — OF, W4, J3
• Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation (WESTMINSTER ABBEY) — AH, OF, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• Crown Him with Many Crowns (DIADEMATA) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• Hail, Redeemer, King Divine (SAINT GEORGE’S WINDSOR) — AH, OF, SMH, J3
• I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say (KINGSFOLD) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• I Know That My Redeemer Lives (DUKE STREET) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• In Christ There Is No East or West (McKEE) — OF, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• Lift High the Cross (CRUCIFER) — AH, OF, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• Shepherd of Souls (SAINT AGNES) — OF, SMH, W4, J3
• The King of Love My Shepherd Is (SAINT COLUMBA) — AH, OF, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• To Jesus Christ, Our Sovereign King (ICH GLAUB AN GOTT) — OF, SMH, W4, J3, OC

Church

• Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation (WESTMINSTER ABBEY) — AH, OF, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• The Church’s One Foundation (AURELIA) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC

Discipleship

• Go Make of All Disciples (ELLACOMBE) — OF, W4, J3, OC
• Lift High the Cross (CRUCIFER) — AH, OF, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• Take Up Your Cross (ERHALT UNS HERR) — OF, SMH, W4, J3, OC

Holy Spirit – see Pentecost

Last Things

• Come, Labor On (ORA LABORA) — PD
• I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say (KINGSFOLD) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• Jerusalem, My Happy Home (LAND OF REST) — OF, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• The King of Love My Shepherd Is (SAINT COLUMBA) — OF, SMH, W4, J3, OC

Marian

• At the Cross Her Station Keeping (STABAT MATER) — AH, OF, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• Ave Maria (chant) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• Daily, Daily Sing to Mary — AH, OF, SMH
• Hail, Holy Queen Enthroned Above (SALVE REGINA COELITUM) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• Immaculate Mary (LOURDES HYMN) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• Desde el cielo una hermosa mañana / From the Heavens (Dec. 12) — SMH, OC
• O Sanctissima (O DU FRÖLICHE) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• Regina cæli [Eastertide] (chant) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• Salve Regina (chant) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• Sing of Mary, Pure and Lowly (PLEADING SAVIOR) — AH, OF, SMH, W4, J3
• The God Whom Earth and Sea and Sky (EISENACH) — SMH, W4, J3

Penance

• Our Father, We Have Wandered (PASSION CHORALE) — OF, W4
• What Wondrous Love Is This (WONDROUS LOVE) — OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC

Praise

• All Creatures of Our God and King † (LASST UNS ERFREUEN) — AH, OF, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• All People That on Earth Do Dwell (OLD HUNDREDTH) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• At the Name of Jesus (KING’S WESTON) — AH, SMH, W4, J3
• For the Beauty of the Earth (DIX) — OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• God, We Praise You (NETTLETON) — OF, SMH, W4, J3
• God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending / God Has Spoken By His Prophets (IN BABILONE) — OF, W4
• Holy God, We Praise Thy Name (GROSSER GOTT) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• Holy, Holy, Holy (NICÆA) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You (HYMN TO JOY) — OF, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• Let All Things Now Living (ASH GROVE) — OF, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• Love Divine, All Love’s Excelling (HYFRYDOL) — AH, OF, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• Lord,Whose Love in Humble Service (IN BABILONE) or (BEACH SPRING) — OF, W4, J3
• Now Thank We All Our God (NUN DANKET) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• O God, Beyond All Praising (THAXTED) — AH, OF, SMH, W4, J3
• O God, Our Help in Ages Past (SAINT ANNE) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven † (LAUDA ANIMA) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (LOBE DEN HERREN) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• Sing Alleluia, Praise the Lord † (BECHLER) — PD
• There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy (IN BABILONE) — AH, OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• We Praise You Father, For Your Gifts (JACOB) — AH
• What Wondrous Love Is This (WONDROUS LOVE) — OF, PD, SMH, W4, J3, OC

Saints

• Blessed Feast of Blessed Martyrs (IN BABILONE) — W4, J3
• By All Your Saints Still Striving (SAINT THEODULPH) — OF, W4, J3
• Faith of Our Fathers (SAINT CATHERINE) — AH, OF, SMH, W4, J3
• For All the Saints (SINE NOMINE) — AH, OF, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• Sing with All the Saints in Glory (HYMN TO JOY) — OF, SMH, W4, J3, OC
• Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones † (LASST UNS ERFREUEN) — AH, OF, SMH, W4, J3, OC

Social Justice

• Come, Labor On (ORA LABORA) — PD
• Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service (IN BABILONE) or (BEACH SPRING) — OF, W4, J3
• Lord, You Give the Great Commission (ABBOT’S LEIGH) — OF, W4, J3, OC
• O Day of Peace (JERUSALEM) — W4
• Those Who Love and Those Who Labor — PD

Key to Resources

† = Not suitable for Lent because of "Alleluia" text

AH = Adoremus Hymnal (Ignatius)
ICEL = ICEL Music for the Roman Missal (icelweb.org)
OF = One in Faith (WLP)
PD = Public domain
SMH = Saint Michael Hymnal
W4 = Worship IV (GIA)
J3 = Journeysongs 3rd edition (OCP)
OC = Oramos Cantando (GIA)
OFUV = One Faith, Una Voz (OCP)

Note: many hymns available in these newly published hymnals are also available in older hymnals, or in public domain sources. The ICEL and Gregorian settings of the Mass Ordinary are readily available in multiple hymnals and online.

Compiled by:

Dr. Richard Robbins (Editor) Director of Choral Activities
University of Wisconsin–Superior, Superior, Wisconsin

Paul French Director of Music
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Chicago, Illinois

Lee Gwozdz Music Director
Corpus Christi Cathedral, Corpus Christi, Texas

Brian MacMichael Director of Liturgy
Diocese Fort Wayne–South Bend, Fort Wayne, Indiana

John Robinson Director of Saint Paul’s Choir School
Cambridge, Massachusetts

Reprinted by permission of AFPC

Compilation date: February 2015