Traditional Latin Hymns

Hymns in Honor of the Blessed Sacrament

These Hymns are written in honor of the Eucharist and are popular Communion hymns.

• Pange Lingua, Gloriosi (Sing my Tongue the Savior’s Glory) — Thomas Aquinas, 13th century
• Adoro te Devote (Devoutly I adore You) — Thomas Aquinas, Melody by Gerard Manley Hopkins     View With English Subtitles
• Ave Verum Corpus (Hail True Body Born of Mary) — Pope Innocent VI, 14th century, Mozart
• Lauda Sion Salvatorem (Sion, Lift up thy voice and sing) — Sequence for Corpus Christi.
• O Salutaris Hostia (Oh, Saving victim) — Thomas Aquinas written for feast of Corpus Christi.

Hymns for Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany

• Veni Emmanuel (Oh Come O come Emanuel) — Favorite Advent Carol from 15th century.
• Gaudete (Rejoice, Rejoice) — Christmas Hymn dates from 16th century or earlier.
• Adeste Fideles (Oh Come all ye Faithful) — Christmas Hymn from 17th century.
• Quem Pastores Laudaver (Whom Shepherds Praise) — 14th century Christmas Carol
• Jesu, Dulcis Memoria (Jesus, Sweet Memory of You) — Attributed to St. Bernard, 12th century. Associated with Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus and season of Epiphany.

Hymns for Lent, Easter, and Pentecost

• Attende Domine (Hear our entreaties, Lord) — Traditional Lenten Hymn of Supplication.
• Miserere Mei (Have Mercy on Me Oh God) — Lenten Psalm 51 set to music by Allegri.
  Alternate version by Josquin des Prez
• Ubi Caritas (Where Charity and Love Are) — Ancient Hymn sung for feet washing Maudy Thursday.
• Improperia (Reproaches) — Antiphon arranged by Palestrina sung on Good Friday.
• Exsultet (Hymn of Praise) — Sung before lighting of the Paschal Candle at Easter Vigil
• Veni Creator Spiritus (Come Holy Spirit, Creator Blessed) — 9th century. Sung for Pentecost and New Pope.
• Victimae Paschali Laudes (Praises to the Passover Victim) — Sequence for Easter from 11th century
• Veni Sancte Spiritus (Come Holy Spirit) — Sequence for Pentecost from 13th century

Missa Cantata (Sung Mass)

• Asperges Me (Thou will Sprinkle Me O Lord) — 15th century. Sung sprinkling water before high mass.
• Missa de Angelis (Mass of the Angles) — Gregorian Chant settings for the Ordinary of the Mass
• Kyrie (Lord have Mercy) — Antiphon from Ancient Greek, William Byrd
• Gloria (Glory to God in the Highest) — Before scripture reading
  Alternate version by Bach, Mass in B Minor
• Credo (I believe in one God) — Nicene Creed, sung after Homily
  Alternate version by Bach, Mass in B Minor
• Sanctum & Benedictus (Holy, Holy, Holy) — Following Preface, beginning of Canon, William Bird
• Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) — Following consecration, before communion
• Ite, Missa Est (Go, it is dismissed) — Conclusion of Mass
• Gradual and Alleluia — Before scripture reading

Marian Antiphons

These four Marion Hymns, called the Marion Antiphons are all of very ancient origin, dating from the 12th century or before. Each is associated with a particular liturgical season.

• Redemptoris Mater (Mother of Christ) — Advent to Presentation of the Lord
• Regina Caelorum (Hail, Queen of Heaven) Enthroned — Feb 2nd to Good Friday
• Regina Coeli (Joy to Thee, Queen of Heaven) — Easter to Trinity Sunday
• Salve Regina (Hail Holy Queen) — From Trinity Sunday to Advent

Other Marian Hymns

• Magnificat (Canticle of Mary) — Ancient Hymn. Text from the Gospel of Luke.
• Ave Maria (Hail Mary) — Several popular melodies. Most famous from the 13th century.
• Angelus ad Virginem (The Angel Came to the Virgin) — 13th century hymn in honor of Annunciation.
• Stabat Mater Dolorosa (Stands the Sorrowful Mother) — 13th century hymn. Sung for Stations of the Cross during Lent. Sequence for Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows
• O Sanctissima (Oh Most Holy Sweet Virgin Mary) — 18th century Marian hymn
• Salve Mater Misericordiae (Hail Mother of Mercy) — 11th century Marian hymn

Other Traditional Hymns

• Te Deum (Thee, O God, We Praise) — Ancient hymn attributed to St. Ambrose and Augustine.
• Laudes Creaturarum (Canticle of the Sun) — 13th century, composed by Francis of Assis.
• Dies Irae (Day of Wrath) — Sequence for All Souls Day, 13th century Dominican Hymn.
• Vexilla Regis (Banners of the King Issue Forth) — Attributed to 6th century bishop of Poitiers. Traditionally sung for processions. Sequence for Passion Sunday

English Language Hymns

• A Mighty Fortress is My God — 16th Century Protestant Hymn written by Martin Luther.
• Holy God we Praise thy Name — 18th century hymn based on translation of Te Deum.
• Let all Mortal Flesh Keep Silent — Ancient Greek Hymn Translated to English in 19th century.