A Minimum Repertoire of Chant for All Catholics


Agh! Where do I start?

The most typical pieces you’ll hear at Mass are the Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus, Agnus Dei: these are used in many places in our own diocese.

The most important pieces to learn in terms of being able to sing in solidarity with other Catholics are the Pater Noster (of course), the Credo,  and the four Marian hymns which are noted below (especially the Salve Regina). These are frequently sung in large gatherings of Catholics for Mass or other events.

Some of the hymns have repeating melodies, making them easier to learn. Two fairly simple ones, and good ones to know, are Adoro te Devote and Veni Creator Spiritus.


Chants of the Ordinary (of the Mass)

 

Kyrie XVI (Lord Have Mercy)

Chant Notation

Audio

Gloria VIII (Glory to God in the Highest)

Chant Notation

Audio

Credo III (Creed)

Chant Notation

Audio

Sanctus XVIII (Holy Holy)

Chant Notation

Audio

Mysterium Fidei (the Mystery of Faith)

Chant Notation

Pater Noster (Our Father)

Chant Notation

Audio

And a fun version of JP II making Americans sing it

Agnus Dei XVIII (Lamb of God)

Chant Notation

Audio

Verbum Domini (The Word of the Lord)

Chant Notation

Mysterium Fidei (The Mystery of Faith)

Chant Notation

Ite Missa est (Go forth, the Mass is)

 


Latin Hymns

Adoro te Devote

Chant Notation

Audio

Alma Redemptoris Mater

Marian Hymn sung from the First Sunday of Advent to the Presentation

Chant Notation

Audio

Ave Maris Stella

Chant Notation

Audio

Ave Regina Caelorum

Marian Hymn sung from the Presentation to the Easter Vigil

Chant Notation

Audio

O Salutaris Hostia

Notation available in missallette (should be familiar)

Audio

Pange Lingua / Tantum Ergo

Chant Notation

Audio

Parce Domine

Chant Notation

Audio

Regina Coeli

Marian Hymn sung from the Easter Vigil to Pentecost

Chant Notation

Audio

Salve Regina

Marian Hymn sung from the day after Pentecost to the first Sunday of Advent

Chant Notation

Audio

Veni Creator Spiritus

Chant Notation

Audio

Ubi Caritas

Chant Notation

Audio