Music Suggestions
The Solemnity of the Ascension of Our Lord [Vigil Mass] (A)

Liturgical Music

Official texts

Entrance Antiphon [Introit]:
1. Viri Galilæi [Graduale Romanum, p.235]
2. Viri Galilæi [Gregorian Missal, p.381]
3. Viri Galilæi [Graduale simplex, p.178]
4. Viri Galilaei (William Byrd, Dulos Couillart, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina)
5. Men of Galilee [Simple English Propers, p.134 (Adam Bartlett)]
6. Men of Galilee [Simple Choral Gradual, p.111 (Richard Rice) CMAA]
7. Men of Galilee [Lumen Christi Missal, p.933 (Adam Bartlett) Illuminare Publications]
8. O Men of Galilee [tune: Swabia] from Introit Hymns #28 (Christoph Tietze)
9. Men of Galilee [Saint Meinrad Antiphons for the Church Year (Columba Kelly OSB) p.38, Mode 7 / OCP]
10. You kingdoms of the earth [The Proper of the Mass (Fr. Samuel F. Weber OSB) 5 versions, pp.375-377 / Ignatius Press]
11. You kingdoms of the earth [English Proper Chants (John Ainslie) p.88, with Psalm 68[67] / Liturgical Press]
12. Men of Galilee [Lumen Christi Simple Gradual (Adam Bartlett) #241, with Psalm 47 / Illuminare Publications]
13. Galilean men and women [By Flowing Waters (Paul Ford) p.116, with Psalm 68 / Liturgical Press]
14. Jesus has been taken up to heaven [By Flowing Waters (Paul Ford) p.116, with Psalm 68 / Liturgical Press]
15. You kingdoms of the earth [Mass Propers for Eastertide (Penkala) p.3, with Psalm 118]
Alleluia I (Responsorial Psalm):
1. Alleluia. Ascendit Deus [Graduale Romanum, p.236]
2. Alleluia. Ascendit Deus [Gregorian Missal, p.382]
3. Ascendit Deus (William Byrd, Jacob Handl, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, Peter Philips, Ferdinand Schaller)
4. Omnes gentes, plaudite [Graduale simplex, p.179]
5. Omnes gentes, plaudite (Hans Leo Hassler, Christopher Tye)
6. O clap your hands (Orlando Gibbons, Thomas Tremain)
7. Clap your hands, all you peoples [By Flowing Waters (Paul Ford) p.117, with Psalm 47 / Liturgical Press]
8. Chabanel Psalmody
9. Parish Book of Psalms (Arlene Oost-Zinner)
Alleluia II (Gospel Acclamation):
1. Alleluia. Dominus in Sina [Graduale Romanum, p.236]
2. Alleluia. Dominus in Sina [Gregorian Missal, p.383]
3. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Quis ascendet [Graduale simplex, p.182]
4. Alleluia, Who shall ascend the hill of the LOrd [By Flowing Waters (Paul Ford) p.120, with Psalm 24 / Liturgical Press]
Offertory:
1. Ascendit Deus in iubilatione [Graduale Romanum, p.237]
  — or —
  Viri Galilæi [Graduale Romanum, p.237]
2. Ascendit Deus in iubilatione [Gregorian Missal, p.389]
  — or —
  Viri Galilæi [Gregorian Missal, p.383]
3. Ascendit Deus in iubilatione [Graduale simplex, p.182]
4. Ascendit Deus (William Byrd, Francisco Guerrero, Jacob Handl, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, Peter Philips, Ferdinand Schaller)
5. Men of Galilee [Simple English Propers, p.135 (Adam Bartlett)]
6. Men of Galilee [Simple Choral Gradual, p.112 (Richard Rice) CMAA]
7. Men of Galilee [Lumen Christi Missal, p.933 (Adam Bartlett) Illuminare Publications]
8. God goes up with shouts of joy [Lumen Christi Missal, p.934 (Adam Bartlett) Illuminare Publications]
9. God Is Gone Up with a Merry Noise (William Croft)
10. God has ascended [The Proper of the Mass (Fr. Samuel F. Weber OSB) 4 versions, pp.384-386 / Ignatius Press]
11. God goes up with shouts of joy [Lumen Christi Simple Gradual (Adam Bartlett) #242, with Psalm 47/ Illuminare Publications]
12. God mounts his throne to shouts of loy [By Flowing Waters (Paul Ford) p.121, with Psalm 47 / Liturgical Press]
13. Men of Galilee [Mass Propers for Eastertide (Penkala) p.7, with Psalm 136]
Communion:
1. (A) Data est mihi omnis potestas [Graduale Romanum, p.213]
2. (A) Data est mihi omnis potestas [Gregorian Missal, p.385]
3. Sede a dextris meis [Graduale simplex, p.183]
4. (A) Data est mihi omnis potestas [Communio, p.40]
5. (A) All power has been given to me [Simple English Propers, p.136 (Adam Bartlett)]
6. (A) All pow'r has been given to me [Choral Communio, p.74 (Richard Rice) Hostia Laudis Co]
7. I, the Lord, am with you always [Simple Choral Gradual, p.113 (Richard Rice) CMAA]
8. Sing praise to the Lord [Lumen Christi Missal, p.933 (Adam Bartlett) Illuminare Publications]
9. Behold, I am with you always [Lumen Christi Missal, p.934 (Adam Bartlett) Illuminare Publications]
10. (A) All power has been given to me [Laudate Dominum Communion Antiphons (Andrew Motyka)]
11. Behold, I am with you always [Saint Meinrad Antiphons for the Church Year (Columba Kelly OSB) p.39, Mode 1 / OCP]
12. Christ, offering a single sacrifice [The Proper of the Mass (Fr. Samuel F. Weber OSB) 4 versions, pp.378-380 / Ignatius Press]
13. Christ, offering a single sacrifice [English Proper Chants (John Ainslie) p.89, with Psalm 110[109] / Liturgical Press]
14. Sing praise to the Lord [Lumen Christi Simple Gradual (Adam Bartlett) #243, with Psalm 68 / Illuminare Publications]
15. Behold, I am with you always [Lumen Christi Simple Gradual (Adam Bartlett) #244, with Psalm 34 / Illuminare Publications]
16. The Lord said to my Lord [By Flowing Waters (Paul Ford) p.1ss, with Psalm 110 / Liturgical Press]
17. Christ, offering a single sacrifice [Mass Propers for Eastertide (Penkala) p.11, with Psalm 66]
Mass settings:
1. Mass of Our Lady, Help of Christians (Richard Connolly)
2. Mass of the Angels (Richard J. Clark)
3. Mass of the Redemption (Calvert Shenk)
4. Missa I – Lux et origo (Gregorian chant) [Graduale Romanum, p.710]
5. Missa I – Lux et origo (Gregorian chant) [Graduale simplex, p.75]
6. Missa sanctorum angelorum (Calvert Shenk)
7. Paschal Gloria (J. William Greene)

Other liturgical music

Common Psalms for Schools & Parishes (Thomas Cosley)
Communion Psalms for the Liturgical Seasons (Gary Penkala)
Gloria Vaticana (Gary Penkala)
Go Out to the World (Ronald Krisman) [GIA Publications] with flute
Graduale Romanum [Solesmes edition]
Graduale simplex [Vatican edition]
Gregorian Missal [Solesmes edition]
I Saw Water Flowing (Alex Hill)
Mass Propers for Eastertide (Gary Penkala)
Paschal Gloria (J. William Greene)
Psalm 118 (Christopher Bord)
Renaissance Alleluia (Gary Penkala)
Saint Patrick Alleluia (Stephen McManus)
Te Deum: We Praise You, O God (J. William Greene)
This Day Was Made by the Lord (Christopher Walker) [Oregon Catholic Press]
Universal Music for Morning Prayer (Gary Penkala)
Universal Music for Evening Prayer (Gary Penkala)
Vidi aquam (Gregorian chant) Proper chant for Sprinkling Rite [Liber usualis, p.12] — or — [Booklet of Chant, Volume 3]
You Shall Be My Witnesses (Rev. James Chepponis) [GIA Publications]

Hymns

A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing (WIII #469, HH #136, SMH #400, VII #359, LCH #74)
All Nations Clap Your Hands (HPSC #106, CH #559, SMH #417)
Ascend Your Throne, O Righteous One (Kathleen Pluth) from Hymns for the Liturgical Year
Go Make of All Disciples (WIII #628, CH #635)
God of Gods, We Sound His Praises (HPSC #166)
Hail, O Once Despised Jesus (HPSC #175, EH #357)
Hail the Day That Sees Him Rise (WIII #471, ICEL #82, HH #139, HPSC #176, CBW #512, AH #430, CH #295, CBH #87, SMH #552, EH #104, VII #252, LCH #73)
Hail Thee, Festival Day (AH #414, CBW #509, CH #274, HPSC #179, PMB #78, WIII #444, SMH #553, EH #86/102/107)
Look, O Look, the Sight Is Glorious (WIII #468, EH #105)
Lord, Enthroned in Heavenly Splendor (CD #893, CH #545, CHB #121, VII #301)
Lord, You Gave the Great Commission (WIII #470, HPSC #597, CH #639)
Praise Him As He Mounts the Skies (CBW #513, CH #296)
Rejoice, Angelic Choirs (WIII #455, HH #104)
See the Conqueror Mounts in Triumph (AH #431, CBH #89, EH #103, SMH #743)
Sing We Triumphant Hymns of Praise (ICEL #81, CBW #508, CH #273, SMH #753)
Thine Is the Glory (CD #829)
This Is the Lord's Day (Kathleen Pluth) from Hymns for the Liturgical Year

AH = The Adoremus Hymnal, Ignatius Press

CBW = Catholic Book of Worship II / Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops

CD = Cantate Domino / Hymnal Supplement, GIA Publications, Inc.

CH = The Collegeville Hymnal, The Liturgical Press

CHB = The Catholic Hymn Book [London Oratory], Gracewing Publishers

EH = The Hymnal 1940 (Episcopal), used by many Anglican Use Roman Catholic parishes

HH = Hymnal of the Hours, GIA Publications, Inc.

HPSC = Hymns, Psalms & Spiritual Canticles, out of print but excellent

ICEL = ICEL Resource Collection, GIA Publications, Inc.

LCH = Lumen Christi Hymnal, Illuminare Publications

PMB = People's Mass Book, World Library Publications, Inc.

SMH = The Saint Michael Hymnal – 4th Edition 2011, Saint Boniface Church, Lafayette IN

VII = Vatican II Hymnal, Corpus Christi Watershed

WIII = Worship, 3rd Edition, GIA Publications, Inc.

Choral Music

Alleluia (William Boyce) [GIA Publications]
Alleluia, Ascendit Deus (William Byrd)
Ascendit Deus (Jacob Gallus) [Augsburg]
Ascendens Christus in altum (Francisco Guerrero)
Blessed Be the Lord (Eugene Englert)
Christians, Rejoice (Alfred V. Fedak) [Morning Star 50-1054]
Dixit Dominus from Solemn Vespers of a Confessor (W.A. Mozart)
Easter Psalm (Gary Penkala)
Gloria in excelsis Deo from Mass in D (Antonin Dvorak)
Go Ye Therefore (Robert Jordahl) [Kjos]
God Is Gone up with A Merry Noise (William Croft)
God Mounts His Throne (Leo Sowerby)
Great Is the Lord (Healey Willan)
Hallelujah, Amen from Judas Maccabeus (G.F. Handel)
How Lovely Are the Messengers from Saint Paul (Felix Mendelssohn)
How Lovely Are Thy Dwellings Fair (Colin Brumby)
O Clap Your Hands (François Couperin, Orlando Gibbons, Maurice Greene, John Rutter, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Malcolm Archer)
Te Deum laudamus (Calvert Shenk)
The Earth Is the Lord's (Paul Langston) [Howard Publications]
The Heavens Are Telling from The Creation (F.J. Haydn)
The King Ascendeth into Heaven (Healey Willan) [Concordia]
To Realms of Glory (Schein / Nelson) [Augsburg]
Viri Galilaei (Gregorian chant, William Byrd)

Organ Music

Agincourt Hymn (John Dunstable) [Treasury of Early Organ Music - Mercury Music Corp]
Alleluya (William Faulkes) [A Victorian Organ Album - Oxford]
Chorale Fantasie on Lasst uns erfreuen (Flor Peeters) [Novello]
Chorale Prelude on Mit freuden zart (William J. Ross) [Organist's Companion, April 1988]
Chorale Toccata on Lasst uns erfreuen (R. Evan Copley) [H.W. Gray]
Christ Has Triumphed, Alleluia (Lani Smith) [Organist, March 1981]
Christ Triumphant (John Marsh)
Deo gracias (David Polley) [Organist's Companion, November 1996]
Fugue in G (Jig) (J.S. Bach)
Hymn Prelude on Llanfair (Peter Pindar Stearns) [Eight Hymn Preludes for Ascension & Pentecost - Flammer]
Lasst uns erfreuen (Lois Hill) [Organist's Companion, May 2001]
Like the Golden Sun (Max Reger) from Chorale Preludes for the Church Year, Opus 67 [Carl Fischer Co.]
Llanfair (David Schack) [Organist's Companion, April 1981]
Maestoso: Five Processionals (Calvert Shenk)
O Love How Deep (Paul Manz) [Improvisations on Great Hymns of Faith - Morning Star Music Publ 10-839]
On Christ's Ascension I Now Build (Max Reger) from Chorale Preludes for the Church Year, Opus 67 [Carl Fischer Co.]
Partita on Mit freuden zart (Gerhard Krapf) [Concordia 97-4689]
Partita on Saint Magnus (Dennis R. Johnson) [Organist's Companion, March 1993]
Poco vivace from Six Short Pieces (Hermann Schroeder)
Postlude on Deo gracias: A Study in Isorhythm (Robin Dinda) [Organist's Companion, July 1996]
Postlude on Lasst uns erfreuen (Gordon Young) [Collage for Organ - Flammer HF-5011]
Prelude on Bryn Calfaria (Paul Manz) from Improvisations for the Easter Season [Morning Star Music Publishers #10-402]
Prelude on Bryn Calfaria (Ralph Vaughan Williams)
Prelude on Deo gracias (Healey Willan) [Ten Hymn Preludes for Organ, Set II - Peters]
Prelude on Lasst uns erfreuen (Russell Schulz-Widmar) [Organist's Companion, June 1980]
Prelude on Neander (Paul Manz) from Ten Chorale Improvisations, Set I [Concordia #97-4554]
Prelude on Werde munter (Paul Manz) from Ten Chorale Improvisations, Set IV [Concordia #97-4951]
The Head That Once Was Crowned with Thorns (Wayne Barlow) [Parish Organist XII - Concordia]
Toccata in b minor (Eugene Gigout)
Variations on Lasst uns erfreuen (Thomas Bohlert) [Organist's Companion, June 1988]

Liturgical Hints & Ideas

The Vigil Mass of the Ascension is new to the 2010 Roman Missal. While there are no special readings for the Vigil Mass (yet), the Orations and English Propers are specific to the Vigil. Some of the texts come from Psalm 68; others speak of promise and life in heaven. Music that focuses on the ultimate goal of the Christian life — heaven — is certainly appropriate for this Vigil.

Music SuggestionsThe Solemnity of the Ascension of Our Lord [Vigil Mass] (A)