CHANTS for all SEASONS FOR VOICE edited by Joshua Pacey
All books are published thanks to the generosity of the supporters of the Catholic Truth Society
Chants for All Seasons.indd 1
30/07/2026 12:28:58
Concordat cum originali: Paul Moynihan, 24 June 2026 Imprimatur: Mgr Gerald J. Ewing, 6 July 2026 For and on behalf of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales Images: cover & pages 7,15,25,35,45,49,57,63,79,87,95: Stained glass window of Pope St Gregory the Great directing a Schola, St Mary’s Episcopal Church, Edinburgh. Photo by Fr Lawrence Lew OP. Pages 1& 2: Cross © Catholic Truth Society. Excerpts from the English edition of the Roman Missal © 2010, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. Excerpts from the Latin edition of the Missale Romanum © 2008 Libreria Editrice Vaticana, Vatican City State. Excerpts from the Order of Christian Funerals © 1991, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. First published in Great Britain in 2026 by The Catholic Truth Society, Cabrini Community Campus, Forest Hill Road, Honor Oak, London SE23 3LE, Tel: 020 7640 0042. © 2026 The Catholic Truth Society. www.ctsbooks.org. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without prior permission in writing of The Catholic Truth Society, or as expressly permitted by law, or under terms agreed with the appropriate reprographics rights organisation. Enquiries concerning reproduction outside the scope of the above should be sent to the Rights Department, The Catholic Truth Society, at the address above. ISBN 978-1-78469-929-1 The organ accompaniment is available for all chants in this book: Chants for All Seasons (Organ Accompaniment), ISBN 978-1-78469-930-7
Chants for All Seasons.indd 2
30/07/2026 12:28:58
Contents Introduction................................................................................................. 5 Chants for the Liturgical Year Advent Missa Kyrie Salve Alma redemptoris mater Rorate caeli Conditor alme siderum Veni, veni, Emmanuel Christmas Missa de Angelis Alma redemptoris mater Corde natus ex parentis Resonet in laudibus Hodie Christus natus est Lent Missa Kyrie Salve Ave regina caelorum Attende Domine Crux fidelis Vexilla regis Parce Domine Easter Missa Lux et origo Regina caeli Victimae paschali laudes Aurora lucis rutilat O filii et filiae Pentecost Veni Sancte Spiritus Veni Creator Spiritus
Chants for All Seasons.indd 3
Mass XVII............................................... 8 Marian antiphon................................. 10 Advent prose........................................ 11 Advent hymn....................................... 13 Advent hymn....................................... 14 Mass VIII.............................................. 16 Marian antiphon................................. 20 Christmas hymn.................................. 21 Christmas hymn.................................. 22 Christmas antiphon............................ 23 Mass XVII............................................. 26 Marian antiphon................................. 28 Lent prose............................................ 29 Hymn for the Adoration of the Cross. 30 Passiontide hymn................................ 32 Lenten antiphon.................................. 33 Mass I................................................... 36 Marian antiphon................................. 40 Sequence for Easter.............................. 41 Easter hymn......................................... 42 Easter hymn......................................... 43 Sequence for Pentecost........................ 46 Hymn to the Holy Spirit...................... 48
30/07/2026 12:28:58
Corpus Christi Lauda Sion Salvatorem Adoro te devote Pange lingua/Tantum ergo Ordinary Time Missa Orbis factor Salve regina
Sequence for Corpus Christi................. 50 Hymn to the Blessed Sacrament........... 54 Hymn to the Blessed Sacrament........... 55 Mass XI................................................. 58 Marian antiphon.................................. 62
General Chants Chants for the Ordinary of the Mass Asperges me sprinkling outside of Eastertide............ 64 Vidi aquam sprinkling within Eastertide................. 65 Credo I.................................................................................................... 67 Credo III................................................................................................. 70 Pater noster............................................................................................ 73 Te Deum Hymn of praise and thanksgiving........ 74 Chants for the Blessed Sacrament Adoremus in aeternum At Benediction...................................... 80 O salutaris hostia Hymn to the Blessed Sacrament........... 81 Panis angelicus Hymn to the Blessed Sacrament........... 82 Ubi caritas Hymn to the Blessed Sacrament........... 83 Ave verum corpus Antiphon to the Blessed Sacrament..... 85 O sacrum convivium Antiphon to the Blessed Sacrament..... 86 Chants for the Blessed Virgin Mary The Angelus............................................................................................ 88 Ave Maria............................................................................................... 90 Ave maris stella Hymn to the Blessed Virgin................. 91 Tota pulchra es Hymn to the Blessed Virgin................. 92 Sub tuum praesidium Marian antiphon.................................. 93 Chants for the Dead Missa pro defunctis Mass for the Dead................................. 96 Subvenite At the Final Farewell............................. 99 Libera me At the Final Farewell........................... 100 Index......................................................................................................... 101
Chants for All Seasons.indd 4
30/07/2026 12:28:58
Introduction
T
he sheer size of the Church’s repertory of Gregorian chant can present questions and challenges for singers and parishes new to incorporating it into the sacred liturgy. Where does one begin? Which books of chant should we buy? Where will I find the chant I am looking for? Which chants are suitable for which occasions? And where can I find an organ accompaniment for this or that chant? Chants for All Seasons offers a solution to these challenges, collating a selection of commonly used chants arranged and organised according to the Church’s liturgical calendar: Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, Pentecost, Corpus Christi, and Ordinary Time. Each section contains (if appropriate) a suitable setting of the Ordinary of the Mass (Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus, Agnus Dei), the season’s traditional Marian Antiphon, and a number of other chants associated with the time. This will enable choirs, congregations and organists to be uplifted in prayer through the singing of chant without having to juggle several different books or collections. Also included are chants with wider application not tied to specific seasons, such as two settings of the Credo, the Pater noster, Marian chants, chants for the Blessed Sacrament, and the Missa pro Defunctis (Mass for the Dead). Most of the hymns contained have multiple verses. The number of verses sung may vary according to the requirements of the liturgy; it is not essential that every verse be sung. Additionally, the chants need not only be sung in the season in which section they are included. For example, Mass VIII – de Angelis is appropriate for singing on any Feast or Solemnity, not solely during the Christmas season. It should be noted that the seasonal assignations for the Marian antiphons are traditional but not binding, and with the exception of the Regina caeli (which may not be sung during Lent) they are freely interchangeable. If these antiphons are sung at the end of Mass, the versicles should not be included. The chants in this collection are presented in Latin, the language of the Roman Rite. English translations have been provided, though these are not intended to be sung, and in most cases would not fit the metre of the melodies. Chant is traditionally written in square notation on staves with only four lines, as found in publications such as those made by the monks of Solesmes, like the Graduale Romanum or Liber Usualis. This notation is unfamiliar to many, so the chants in this volume have been typeset in modern five-line stemless notation with the intention of making them as widely accessible as possible.
5
Chants for All Seasons.indd 5
30/07/2026 12:28:58
The pitch of each chant has been chosen so as to be comfortable for the majority of vocal ranges. If any chant is performed without accompaniment, a different pitch may be chosen to better suit those singing. Most chants begin with a short incipit phrase to introduce the chant and establish the pitch and tempo, which is usually sung by a solo cantor or small group of singers (or in some cases the priest himself). The end of the incipit is indicated with an asterisk in the text, after which the remaining singers or congregation join in. Gregorian chant should be sung in a measured and flowing way, not too slowly, entirely guided by the text. Part of chant’s great strength and suitability for liturgical use is its basis in the text, most often itself drawn from Sacred Scripture, and so the clarity of the text should be at the forefront of the mind of those performing it. As the fathers of the Second Vatican Council noted in their document on the sacred liturgy: “The main reason for [Gregorian chant’s] preeminence is that, as sacred song united to the words, it forms a necessary or integral part of the solemn liturgy.” (Sacrosanctum Concilium [1963], §112) Two versions of Chants for All Seasons are available: one containing the chant melodies for use by singers, and another with newly-composed organ accompaniments. Neither beauty nor sacredness is sacrificed when Gregorian chant is sung with instrumental support, and it can be of great help to those beginning to use chant in their churches, as well as increasing the splendour of the liturgy. Traditionally, during Lent the organ is silent, especially between the Gloria of Maundy Thursday and the Gloria of the Easter Vigil; organ accompaniments for chants such as ‘Crux fidelis’ for Good Friday have been included as they might be of use at other times, for example on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross (14th September). Chants for All Seasons aims to provide a foundational resource for those wishing to begin drawing on the “…treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art” (ibid, §112) that is the Church’s Gregorian chant tradition, to enhance and beautify the liturgy in their own parishes. With the exception of the Missa pro defunctis, it intentionally does not include any of the Propers of the Mass. As choirs and parishes become more comfortable using chant, it is hoped that this book may be used in tandem with the Graduale Romanum, or another collection of Mass Propers, further to utilise the treasury of the Church’s sacred music.
6
Chants for All Seasons.indd 6
30/07/2026 12:28:58
CHRISTMAS
?
@
15
Chants for All Seasons.indd 15
30/07/2026 12:29:01
Mass VIII
Feasts & Solemnities De angelis
Kyrie
Repeat Kyrie
Ký - ri
-
*
e,
e -
-
- lé - i - son. Repeat Christe
Chri - ste,
e
-
-
-
lé - i - son.
Ký - ri - e,
e
-
-
-
lé - i - son.
Ký - ri - e,
e
-
-
-
lé - i - son.
Gloria
Gló - ri - a
in
ex - cél - sis De - o.
bo - nae vo - lun - tá - tis.
A - do - rá
-
mus te.
* Et
Lau - dá
-
in ter - ra pax ho - mí - ni - bus
mus te.
Glo - ri - fi - cá - mus te.
prop - ter mag-nam gló - ri - am tu - am.
Be - ne - dí - ci - mus te.
Grá - ti - as
á - gi - mus ti - bi
Dó - mi - ne De - us, Rex cae - lé - stis,
16
Chants for All Seasons.indd 16
30/07/2026 12:29:01
Mass VIII - De angelis
De - us
Pa - ter
Ie
su
-
om - ní - po - tens.
Chri - ste.
Fí - li - us
Pa
mi - se - ré -
-
- re
Dó - mi - ne Fi - li u - ni - gé - ni - te
Dó - mi - ne
tris.
no - bis.
Qui
ad
déx - te - ram
Pa - tris,
Quó - ni - am tu
so - lus sanc - tus.
Tu
Tu so - lus Al
tís - si - mus,
Ie
Spí
A
Chants for All Seasons.indd 17
-
-
ri - tu,
in
gló - ri - a
-
-
men.
-
-
di,
Qui tol - lis pec - cá - ta mun - di,
de - pre - ca - ti - ó - nem
-
Ag - nus De - i,
Qui tol - lis pec - cá - ta mun
sú - sci - pe
se - des
De - us,
no
-
-
mi - se - ré - re
so - lus
-
-
su
De - i
Dó
-
Chri - ste.
Pa
-
stram.
no - bis.
mi
-
nus.
Cum San - cto
-
-
tris.
17
30/07/2026 12:29:01
Mass VIII - De angelis
Sanctus
San
-
-
Dó -
- mi - nus De - us
- ba - oth.
tu
ctus, * San - ctus,
-
-
Ple - ni
a.
sunt cae
-
Ho - sán - na
- dí -
- ctus
Ho - sán
-
qui
-
ve
na
San -
Sá -
-
-
-
li
ter
-
ra
et
in ex - cél -
-
-
-
nit
-
- ctus
-
-
-
ex - cél -
- sis.
-
i,
* qui tol - lis
no
-
bis.
-
-
gló - ri - a
Be - ne
in nó - mi - ne Dó
in
-
-
-
-
-
mi - ni.
- sis.
Agnus Dei
Ag -
- nus
De
mi - se - ré - re
pec - cá - ta
mun
-
di:
pec - cá - ta
Ag - nus De
mi - se - ré - re
-
mun
i,
-
qui tol
no
-
di:
-
lis
bis.
18
Chants for All Seasons.indd 18
30/07/2026 12:29:02
Mass VIII - De angelis
Ag -
- nus
do - na
no - bis
De
-
i,
qui tol - lis
pa
-
pec - cá - ta
mun
-
di:
cem.
KYRIE Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. GLORIA Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will. We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great glory, Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father. Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us; you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer; you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen. SANCTUS Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. AGNUS DEI Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace. tr. from the Roman Missal
19
Chants for All Seasons.indd 19
30/07/2026 12:29:02
Marian Antiphon
Alma Redemptoris Mater Advent to the Presentation of the Lord
Al -
-
por - ta
ma - nes,
- ma * Re - dem-ptó - ris Ma - ter,
Et stel - la ma - ris,
suc - cúr - re ca - dén - ti
cu - rat pó - pu - lo:
Tu quae ge - nu - í - sti,
san - ctum Ge - ni - tó
-
- é - lis ab o - re
rem:
quae pér - vi - a
cae - li
súr - ge - re qui
na - tú - ra mi - rán - te,
tu - um
Vir - go pri - us ac po - sté - ri - us,
Gab - ri -
su - mens il - lud A - ve,
pec - ca - tó - rum mi - se - ré - re.
During Advent V. Angelus Dómini nuntiávit Maríae. R. Et concépit de Spíritu Sancto. From 1st Vespers of Christmas to Candlemas V. Post partum Virgo invioláta permansísti. R. Dei Génitrix intercéde pro nobis.
Mother of Christ! hear thou thy people’s cry, Star of the deep, and portal of the sky! Mother of him who thee from nothing made, Sinking we strive, and call to thee for aid: Oh, by that joy which Gabriel brought to thee, Thou Virgin first and last, let us thy mercy see. During Advent V. The Angel of the LORD brought tidings unto Mary R. And she conceived by the Holy Ghost. From 1st Vespers of Christmas to Candlemas V. After childbirth, O Virgin, thou didst remain inviolate. R. Intercede for us, O Mother of God.
Hermannus Contractus (1013-1054) tr. Edward Caswall (1814-1878)
20
Chants for All Seasons.indd 20
30/07/2026 12:29:02