my Favorite catholic Hymns (since I was a child)

The volume of Catholic hymns that have been produced is massive. There are songs for every occasion and mood, many songs that are perfect for praise and worship opportunities. There are the slow ones, the fast ones, and the in-between ones.

And I love them all.

Well, at least a lot of them.

Somehow, they are mostly the songs sung during Communion. I tend to lean towards the emotion-evoking songs, so those are the most likely culprit.

Anyway, on to the list. Here are a few of the favorite Catholic hymns that have always stuck with me.

Note: If you would like to skip all the commentary on my favorite hymns, go ahead and listen to them on the YouTube playlist I created, My Favorite Catholic Hymns. 

my Most Favorite catholic Hymns

On Eagles’ Wings

I always tell people that I love this song, to which they reply, “isn’t’ that a funeral song?”. Yes and no. It might be used at funerals, but that does not mean that it has to be solely that.

I see it as a beautiful reassurance of God taking care of His children. And if it reminds me of death, it’s probably a good thing. Oftentimes we get into our heads that we are a little bit immortal, and then things go terribly wrong from there.

We will not live forever, and this song is a great reminder of what happens when we follow God’s path for our lives.

One Bread, One Body

A reason I enjoy this hymn is that of the unitive vibe it gives. We are all one body, working for the good of the Lord, spreading the Good News, and we need to be united in that mission.

To that, I say a resounding “Amen!”

The Summons

It might seem weird to think about God speaking to you through a song, but there is something about this one that tugs my heartstrings every time. It’s a song that stirs my inner being like none other.

Why? Mostly because when I think about the times that I have been faithful and open to God’s plan in my life, wonderful things have happened. Things that I only could have imagined.

It also hits me hard because I know the freedom that comes from following Him with my whole life. Yet somehow I am stubborn again and again and forget what that looks like. This pilgrim has a lot to learn.

Servant Song

The Servant Song reminds me of the works of mercy. As Catholics, we are called to serve others with our time, our talents, our treasure.

We are called to live mercy to the world. And utlimately, live love.

That’s really all I have to say about that one.

Now We Remain

This hymn has a killer alto part, but that’s not the only reason I love it. The way the lilting lyrics and melody are set allows for reflection on Jesus’ death.

It is so beautiful to sing during Lent, Pentecost season, or really anytime.

I don’t have any other explanation than that, really.

Eye Has Not Seen

This song is a great reminder of things to come. A reminder that we need to live in Love all our lives.

I also enjoy the way the melody swells and wanes during the entire song, allowing for some great high points. The kind of hymn that allows people to feel the emotion that can go along with it.

Battle Hymn of the Republic

While this hymn is not often sung in church, I love it! So much! I have sung it a couple of times in choir during college and had my students sing it a couple of years ago during our Veteran’s Day ceremony.

There are a lot of versions that are made of this song, and a lot of really good versions. If you ever do this as a choir at your parish, find the one that works best for your choir, and then revel in the glory of the song after that!

City of God

At the parish I usually sang this at, the tempo was everything. Most people take it moderately, but not us. We had to have the church “rockin'” (excuse my reference) with the purpose of this song.

To be honest, it was super fun for me, but the congregation probably had a hard time keeping up.

Everything is not so bad with God at your side, right? We are called to bring light to everyone, and to accept that light for ourselves. If we are not healed first, it is hard to go and help others.

Be Not Afraid

“..I go before you always. Come, follow me, and I will give you rest.”

I love the lyrics to this hymn, speaking of the redemptive healing that comes from following Christ.

Hosea (Come Back to Me)

Just as The Summons hymn get to me, this is the second hymn that really speaks to me.

Again, a reflective piece. As a listener, I connect with the “I” statements in this pieces. And I know and feel that God speaks to me through it.

Call me crazy, but this song can bring me to tears in about 2 minutes or less if I really listen to the lyrics while singing.

Hail, Mary, Gentle Woman

The setting of this song is simply beautiful. It is so indicative of the person Mary is, and also prayerful and reflective at the same time.

It is incredible how much we can learn from the Mother of God if we really listen and reflect on her life and who she really embodies. The role she can play in our lives it most definitely life-changing. It is her goal to bring us ever closer to her precious Son, Jesus.

Needless to say, I am always excited for the chance to sing this song during Mass or otherwise.

Lord, When You Came to the Seashore

I love this song, but I also love singing it in Spanish. I have had that chance once or twice, and I would love to sing it in Spanish again.

“At your side, I will seek other shores”.

This hymn gets me every time; I prefer the old lyrics before they changed almost all of them. It is confusing now, and not as beautiful to me, but still a nice song to sing.

Taste and See

Again, another great Communion hymn, from my perspective at least. Let’s celebrate the goodness of the Lord!

If I am honest, I am a bit selfish with selections that I like to sing, too. We cantors get used to hearing our own voices and think, I sound pretty good on this song.

The only thing that kills me is the inability of people and leaders to sing the rhythms correctly. That is my music teacher coming out, and I can let it slip (most times). Struggling with rhythms myself at times, I totally understand how weird the rhythm is from a “non-music-reader” perspective.

What Wondrous Love

I can’t get over how much I love this song, and how much it makes me feel loved! Love from Jesus is truly the best and most wondrous gift we can ever receive. This song just tips the iceberg of what we can know of that.

I really like singing this song more upbeat, but also like it when it is slowed down a bit.

Ubi Caritas

Oh. My. Word. This is the one song as a teenager I would get so excited to sing, and it is no different now. Appropriate and loved for weddings and regular Masses alike, I never get tired of this song.

And just to clarify, I love two versions of this hymn. The first version is the one written by Rosania and the other written by Hurd (I will include both versions on my YouTube playlist). Both lovely settings for a soloist or a choir. I prefer the choir versions, myself.

How Can I Keep From Singing

Though I love this hymn in all settings, it is most beautiful as a choir arrangement. The men in my college choir took this particular arrangement to Italy on our music tour. Every time they sang it, it felt like Heaven was descending upon us girls. It didn’t help that so many talented and good-looking men were singing it.

A Quaker hymn that is also a nice setting for Mass.

You Are Mine

Songs that reassure me of my Father’s love for me are always a winner in my book. In a world that often forgets what real love looks like, I love the words of this song. I also love how the melody swells and wanes at the best times. A joy to sing and to listen to.

Honorable Mention catholic Hymns

As I went back and perused my Catholic hymn book (Word & Song) we use at our parish, I found many more songs that speak to me. So, enjoy my added section of honorable mention hymns

Somebody’s Knockin’ At Your Door

If I haven’t mentioned that I love gospel inspired hymns, I do. I love their rhythms, the melodies, the call and response layout. I love it all. It gives me a rockin’ in my soul that no other music does.

The key to all these great gospel hymns is to sing them with the correct tempo and style. Warm sound coming from the heart is just about right.

At the Cross Her Station Keeping

Primarily used during Lenten season, this hymn has such a haunting and reflective quality about it. The words depict this sorrowful conversation of the feelings of Jesus and Mary on his journey towards the Cross. So beautiful and reverent.

I am most familiar with this hymn used with the Stations of the Cross. A definite recommendation for adding spirituality to any stations during Lent.

Pange, Lingua (Praise We Christ’s Immortal Body)

If you look closely at the music in this, you notice it is not written in regular measures, but rather as a free-form Gregorian Chant. Chant is incredibly beautiful for reflection and pure singing. If you sing the Latin version, it brings an air of mystery to the text.

Around here, we sing it in English, which is still very beautiful. It can be sung slow or a bit faster, depending on skill level and preference. I prefer to to a mix of fast and slow, or to let the spirit move the motions and words of the song. This is most definitely a Spirit-led song.

Were You There

My all time favorite Lenten hymn, with a hauntingly stunning melody and refrain. This piece sounds fantastic as a solo or with a choir, but most definitely during Good Friday. This hymn is also of African-American origin, with some gospel style qualities. No wonder I love it so much.

I am The Bread of Life

If the low notes on the verses don’t give you chills, then the soaring refrain will. The hymn is based on Jesus’ words about the Eucharist, the summit and source of our faith.

I’m not sure I can even describe to you how much I like this hymn. The only thing I wish they hadn’t done was change the words, though I am sure the new words are more fitting and inclusive and appropriate for the Church than the old ones.

Let Us Break Bread Together

Another African-American sourced hymn, the repetitive quality of this song is lovely. There is something amazing to me about repeating important words. Plus, it makes it easy to memorize and for the congregation to follow along.

I also appreciate the words, “let us break bread together, let us drink wine together, let us praise God together”. We are supposed to work and live and praise as a community. We are in this walk of life together, yes? Let us sing this song together in harmony.

Eat This Bread

This Taize hymn is written in four part harmony, which I always appreciate. The art of choral singing is sometimes lost in churches where the singers are few. I know because I am part of a parish like that.

This short hymn is simply beautiful and reflective for any one person or choir to sing. All Taize music is intended for any purpose you wish. Read more about Taize hymns here. 

Take and Eat

Call me choir nerdy, but I love how the verses change key and sound different than the refrain does. On most of these Catholic hymns, the text indicates whether the cantor or all should be singing the different parts of the song. I don’t know about you, but we always all sing everything at my parish. Which is how it should be. 

In any respect, I like this song because it outlines all the ways in which Jesus is referred to, i.e. The Lamb, The Word, First and Last, the Cornerstone, The bread of heaven, the vine. Jesus truly is our all and this song explains just how many ways that is true.

We are Many Parts

I really do like most songs that talk about communion. With Jesus and with others. If we are not here on this earth to help one another get to Heaven, then what are we here for? I know I need to be reminded that I’m not on an island doing things on my own. We share in each others joys and burdens with love.

What greater message is there than that? Isn’t that the greatest commandment given to us by Our Lord himself?

Lord of All Hopefulness

Irish! I also really really adore Irish based hymns. The lilt of the melody and the power in the words gets me every single time. Who doesn’t love a song that calls upon the power of the Lord all hours of the day? You can’t beat the message, really.

We do need God desperately, every single hour.

Shall We Gather At the River

This hymn I sang as the original Robert Lowry setting for solo when I was in college. It was quite a high range, so it wasn’t my favorite then. But I do like it now. It reminds of “Down to the River to Pray”, which my students adored tremendously (probably more because of the fact it was in O Brother Where Art Thou than any other reason).

I also appreciate the dotted 8ths into 16ths as well. It gives the hymn a nice bouncing quality.

We Walk By Faith

The only thing I don’t like about this song is the beat and a half of rest at the beginning of the song. Does that throw anybody else off? In any case, a song about Faith is always appropriate and uplifting for the congregation. A classic Haugen hymn, the melody and lyrics do not disappoint.

Blest Are They

Any song that mentions the Beautitudes is a treasure. This Catholic hymn is no different. The only thing that is difficult about this song is the range. It is very difficult for many singers to stretch that far that quickly on the refrain. Another difficulty is navigating the verses, as some tend to just focus on the big notes and ignore the little ones, which are meant for the verse the second time around.

Either way, this song is quite pretty and very pleasant to sing on any given Sunday.

Roundup of Catholic Hymns

Wow! As soon as I started going through the lists of songs that I have sung, there was a ton that stood out to me. As it is quite obvious, I recorded all of those here in this post.

This list doesn’t even include Christmas Catholic hymns. That is a different post.

The cool thing is about all of these hymns, there are so many different ways to play and sing them. You could use the piano, organ, guitar, and all create a different vibe for each version. Choirs could be used, soloists, or just one person leading the congregation.

For your listening pleasure and convenience, I have created a YouTube playlist with quality recordings of each of these Catholic hymns. Access the playlist here!

I’m curious! What are your all-time favorite Catholic hymns?

Related articles:

10 Easy to Sing Catholic Hymns

My Favorite Christmas Hymns 

What is a Cantor in the Catholic Church? 

5 Expectations of a Cantor

3 Reasons to Not Take Voice Lessons

7 Surprising Things About Cantoring You Didn’t Know

Our Role as Lay Persons in the Church

7 Ways to Reduce Stress As a Cantor

How to Sing Well at Early Morning Masses

Devotions for Catholic Musicians