Common Schola Chants
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 Association of St. Cecilia

Common Communion Chants

About

The seven common Communion Antiphons are an excellent way to begin singing the Mass.  Communion is a quiet time of procession, reflection and adoration, making it difficult to sing an appropriate hymn. These chants can be sung ad libitum with many of the texts applicable throughout the year.

Ego sum vitis vera

Full Version with Verses

Gustate et videte

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Hoc corpus

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Manducaverunt

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Panem de caelo

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Panis quem ego dedero

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Qui manducat carnem meam

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For a complete cycle, additionally with English verses, check out our popular Communio resources.

Communio

Marian Antiphons

About

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 at the end of Compline as follows:

I. Alma Redemptoris Mater: Advent, Christmas, and Ordinary Time through the Presentation (Feb 2)
II. Ave Regina Caelorum: Feb 3 to Good Friday
III. Regina Caeli: Easter Season, from the Easter Vigil to Pentecost Sunday
IV. Salve Regina: Ordinary Time from Pentecost Monday to the end of the liturgical year (last Friday before 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

IV. Salve Regina, monastic

Texts and 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, advocata 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.

General Chants

About

Basic chants for your schola. Quality over quantity!

Ave verum corpus

Lux aeterna (Requiem)

Pange lingua

Parce, Domine (Lent)

Stabat Mater (Lent)

Sub tuum praesidium

Tantum ergo

For additional chant resources, visit our dedicated Gregorian Chant resource page.

Gregorian Chant

Additional Resources

Parish Book of Chant

The Parish Book of Chant is a unique resource for choirs, priests, families, and congregations who seek to sing and understand the universal musical tradition of Catholic people. Many of these chants and more are available in the Parish Book of Chant.

Much more

The Church Music Association of America has a vast library of books to order or download, guides to help you learn or teach chant, and classic performing editions. Click below to explore the vast resource archives.
Resources