Common Chants for Your Schola
Gregorian Chant holds first place in the Sacred Liturgy. A “schola” or school of singers is the ensemble that sings the chants of the church.
“Together you can better engage in singing as an integral part of the liturgy, inspired by the first model, Gregorian chant. Together you take care of the artistic and liturgical preparation, and you promote the presence of the schola cantorum in every parish community.”
-Pope Francis, address to Assocation of St. Cecilia
Common Communion Chants
Introduction
The seven common Communion Antiphons are an excellent way to begin singing the Mass. These can be sung ad libitum with many of the texts applicable throughout the year.
Ego Sum Vitis Vera
Gustate et Videte
Hoc Corpus
Manducaverunt
Panem de Caelo
Panis quem Ego Dedero
Qui Manducat Carnem Meam
Marian Antiphons
Introduction
The four seasonal Marian Antiphons are beautiful sung prayers, often sung at the end of Mass. They are proper to the Divine Office and are typically sung as follows:
I. Alma Redemptoris Mater: Advent-Feb 2
II. Ave Regina Caelorum: Feb 2-Easter Vigil
III. Regina Caeli: Easter-Pentecost
IV. Salve Regina: Pentecost-Advent
For additional scores, search Gregobase.
I. Alma Redemptoris Mater, Simple
I. Alma Redemptoris Mater, Solemn
II. Ave Regina Caelorum, Simple
II. Ave Regina Caelorum, Solemn
III. Regina Caeli, Simple
III. Regina Caeli, Solemn
IV. Salve Regina, Simple
IV. Salve Regina, Solemn
Translations
I. Alma Redemptoris Mater
Alma Redemptoris Mater, quae pervia caeli
porta manes et stella maris,
succurre cadenti, surgere qui curat, populo:
tu quae genuisti, natura mirante,
tuum sanctum genitorem, Virgo prius, ac posterius,
Gabrielis ab ore sumens illud ave,
peccatorum miserere.
Loving Mother of the Redeemer,
gate of heaven, star of the sea,
assist your people who have fallen yet strive to rise again.
To the wonderment of nature you bore your Creator,
yet remained a virgin after as before.
You who received Gabriel’s joyful greeting,
have pity on us poor sinners.
II. Ave Regina Caelorum
Ave regina caelorum, ave domina angelorum:
salve radix, salve porta, ex qua mundo lux est orta:
Gaude Virgo, gloriosa, super omnes speciosa,
vale o valde decora, et pro nobis Christum exora.
Hail, Queen of Heaven; hail, Mistress of the Angels;
hail, root [of Jesse]; hail, the gate through which
the Light rose over the earth.
Rejoice, Virgin most renowned
and of unsurpassed beauty.
Farewell, Lady most comely.
Prevail upon Christ to pity us.
III. Regina Caeli
Regina caeli, laetare, alleluia;
quia quem meruisti portare, alleluia;
resurrexit sicut dixit, alleluia;
ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia.
Queen of heaven, rejoice, alleluia;
for He whom thou was chosen to bear, alleluia;
has risen as He said, alleluia;
pray for us to God, alleluia.
IV. Salve Regina
Salve Regina, mater misericordiae,
vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra salve.
Ad te clamamus, exules filii Evae.
Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes,
in hac lacrimarum valle.
Eia ergo, advocate nostra,
illos tuos misericordes oculos,
ad nos converte.
Et Jesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui,
nobis post hoc exsilium ostende.O Clemens, o pia, o dulcis virgo Maria.
Hail holy Queen, mother of mercy,
our life, our sweetness, and our hope.
To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve.
To thee do we send up our sighs,
mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.
Turn then, most gracious advocate,
thine eyes of mercy towards us,
and after this, our exile,
show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.O clement, o loving, o sweet Virgin Mary.
Additional Resources
Parish Book of Chant
All of these chants and more are available in the Parish Book of Chant.
Full Resources
The Church Music Association of America has a vast library of resources.
