Four Marian Hymns every Catholic Choir Should Know

If you are looking to incorporate more Marian hymns into your parish music ministry, the four seasonal Marian anthems are a wonderful place to start. These antiphons are traditionally sung at the end of Compline or Night Prayer in the Liturgy of Hours throughout the year:

• “Alma Redemptoris Mater” (“O Loving Mother of Our Redeemer”) from the First Sunday of Advent to the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (February 2)
• “Ave Regina Caelorum” (“Hail, Queen of Heaven”) from the Feast of the Presentation to Easter Vigil
• “Regina Caeli” (“O Queen of Heaven”) from Easter Day to Pentecost
• “Salve Regina” (“Hail Holy Queen”) from Pentecost to the First Sunday of Advent

The “Salve Regina” is well known and many Catholic choirs sing the “Regina Caeli” on Easter Sunday, but “Alma Redemptoris Mater” makes a wonderful addition to Christmas liturgies and “Ave Regina Caelorum” should not be neglected!

Simple chant versions of these Marian hymns are widely available – including in OCP hymnals and missals. You can also inspire Marian devotion in your assembly by incorporating stunning choral arrangements of these ancient sung prayers in your parish liturgies. Here are some suggested pieces for your choir, starting with settings of “Regina Caeli” for the Easter season. You can find these and more beautiful Marian choral music on ocpchoral.com.

Regina Caeli

• Written for a cappella SATB choir and Soprano (or Tenor) solo, this piece from Julianna Horton Charnigo illustrates the joyfulness the text, which is a meditation on the joy of the Virgin Mary at the Resurrection of her Son.

• Colin Mawby’s composition for SATB choir and organ is boisterous and exuberant, brimming with joy. The 6/8 meter brings an airy, lilting quality to the piece, while the textural variety keeps it interesting throughout.

• John Schiavone’s motet beautifully sets an English translation of the text in a fun and uplifting way. Alternating between polyphonic and homophonic textures, it utilizes harmonic language typical of late renaissance choral music.

Salve Regina

• Set for large choir (SSAATBB) with an optional organ accompaniment, this is an attractive arrangement of the well-known Latin chant. Composed by Claire Sokol, OCD, the piece builds in power and intensity throughout.

• Paul Inwood’s well-crafted SATB arrangement is based on Fauré's original setting of this text which was for unison voice and piano.

• Composed by Martin Foster, this piece features an English translation of the text. It is a simple and beautiful two-part anthem for women’s choir.

Alma Redemptoris Mater

• Robert Benson beautifully arranged this ancient chant for SATB choir, piano and cello. In a lovely coupling of the old and the new, he begins and ends this piece with a solo cello, layering the voices and instrumentation throughout the piece.

Ave Regina Caelorum

• Titled “Salve, Reina de los Cielos/Hail, Queen of Heaven,” this trilingual setting (Spanish/English/Latin) of “Ave Regina Caelorum” can be sung monolingually depending on the community. The accessible and beautiful setting from Pedro Rubalcava is arranged for SATB choir, keyboard and guitar.

Discover more Marian music and resources here.