Top Catholic Songs

Nick Alexander here...
On the weekend of September 14 the Church celebrates the Feast Day of the Triumph of the Holy Cross. In celebration, we have hand picked ten songs best suited for the occasion. These songs range from modern hymn classics to contemporary praise songs. Artists as varied as Matt Redman, Sean Clive, Hillsongs, Gerard Faucheux, Jeremy Riddle, Apostolica, and The Good Shepherd Singers are all represented.
Happy Feast Day!

Nick Alexander here...

Going to the SCRC Convention?

Every year the Southern California Renewal Communities hosts a major conference intended for the upbuilding of the faithful. This year is no different.

The theme for this year's confernce is Be Transformed!, based on Romans 12:2:Be transformed by the renewing of your mind....

One great way to help renew our minds is by listening to songs that continually call upon God to change us, transform us, and mold us into His image.

Feel free to listen to these great songs. Further, know that a number of these artists, notably Donna Lee, Lynn Geyer, Gretchen Harris, Mel Kennedy, and John Grassadonia will be there. Be sure to visit them at the CAM--Catholic Association of Music booth.

Happy Travels!

Nick Alexander here...
A couple of days ago, a reader of this blog asked if we could come up with some recommendations for a youth-oriented baptism service. He was looking for the great song that would tie everything together.
After putting our heads together, we came up with the following list. I hope it helps others looking for something similar.

1. Receive the Power by Guy Sebastian and Gary Pinto...(currently not in iTunes)
2. Your Grace Is Enough by Matt Maher
3. Spirit of Fire by Mike Harrison & Greg Walton
4. Come Holy Spirit (Veni, Sancte Spiritus) by John Michael Talbot
5. SpiritSong by Lynn Geyer
6. Create New Hearts by Tom Booth
7. Healing Waters by Trevor Thomson
8. Jesus, I Trust in You by Angus McDonell
9. Overflow by Matt Maher
10. River of Life by Josh Blakesley
11. Sacred Silence by Jenny Pixler
12. Your Grace Is Enough by Bob Rice
13. Come to the Water by Matt Maher
14. Grace Like Rain by Todd Agnew
15. Worthy Is the Lamb by Darlene Zschech
16. All Who Are Thirsty by Brenton Brown
17. I Give You My Heart by Michael W. Smith
18. My Savior My God by Aaron Shust
19. Nothing but the Blood by Matt Redman
20. Holy Spirit Rain Down by Natalie Grant
21. Kindness (Live) by Chris Tomlin
22. What the Lord Has Done In Me by Reuben Morgan
23. I Will Never Be by Hillsong
24. Who Am I by Casting Crowns
25. Untitled Hymn (Come to Jesus) by Chris Rice
26. Healing Rain by Michael W. Smith
27. Let It Rain by Michael W. Smith
28. Water by Catholic Kids Worship
29. Shine for You by Michael Gleason
30. Veni, Creator Spiritus by John Angotti
31. Breath of God by Bob Millspaugh

Finally, if you are looking for suggestions for retreat themes, or religious services, or prayer nights, or whatever, we would like to be of help. It's free. Just contact us, and we will do our best. It would give us no greater joy than to introduce others to those great songs that can minister to you and your community.

Nick Alexander here...
It's fun to look back at all the competitions we have had throughout the last year. In doing so, we want to profile some artists that you may have noticed throughout these lists.

1. Lynn Geyer
   Seven-Time Top Ten Artist, including Top Ten Songs for Lent, Easter, and Advent. Check out her album "Christmas All Year Through"
2. Paul Harrigan
   Paul's Song "Medjugorje" earned him #4 on the Top Ten Songs for Mary. Check out his album "Thank You2."
3. Gretchen Harris
   Five-time Top Ten artist, including: Top Ten Songs of 2007, and Songs for Weddings. Check out her Album "Sing of Mary".
4. Fr. Kent O'Connor
   "Little Way (St. Therese of Lisieux)" was #8 on the Top Ten Songs for Children. Check out his album "Saints."
5. Mel Kennedy
   Four-Time Top Ten artist, including Top Ten Songs for Weddings, Easter, and the Holy Spirit. Check out her Album "Beinaventrados."
6. Bryan Murdaugh
   You can find Bryan on our Top Ten Up and Coming Catholic Recording Artists. Check out his Album "With Everything I Know..."
7. Last Day
   This Catholic band landed #3 on the Top Ten Songs for Lent with their song "A Simple Cry." Check out the album "We're here."
8. Bob Metivier
   Bob's song "Father (the Passion)" was #8 on the Top Ten Songs for Holy Week. Check out his album "The Lord Takes Broken Pieces."
9. George Lower
   
   Three-time Top Ten artist, two for the Top Ten Songs for Lent, and one for the Holy Spirit. Check out his album "Of Saints and Angels."
10. Annie Karto
    Three-time Top Ten artist, including Top Ten Songs for Mary, Holy Spirit, and Up & Coming Catholic Artists. Check out her Album "Perfect Sacrifice."

Be sure to check out more of these lists at our Top Tens page.

Nick Alexander here...
We have here a new, wonderful list. These are all great songs that highlight the Sacrament of Matrimony. These work either as songs for the marriage ceremony, or songs in preparation thereof. Load up your playlist with these songs, as you drive from the church to the reception hall...

1. In the Name of the Father by Jim Cosgrove
   The song tells of the love, wonder, and hopes of a bride and groom within the love of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
   

2. At the End of the Day by Sean Clive
   In today’s world, stories of enduring love are few and far between. One of the greatest days of my life was the day that I began this sacrament of marriage with my Jenny, this outward expression of God’s love. I pray for all married couples, old, young and all of us in the middle -- that God will continue to strength and encourage us with a love that endures. I pray for the yet to be married -- that they will seek God in their life, hand in hand.
   
3. (Loving You is) A Prayer by Nick Cardilino
   I wrote this song for my wife on our wedding anniversary a number of years ago, and several couples have used it in their wedding liturgies, and several marriage encounter groups have used it because it describes well what marriage is designed by God to be.
   
4. Arms of Love by Mark Mallett
   Written to accompany the Catholic novel of the same name by author Carmen Marcoux, ARMS OF LOVE is a beautiful love song/duet by Mark and Lea Mallett.
   
5. Your Presence is Real by Nick Cardilino
   This song about the Catholic notion of Sacramentality focuses on the Real Presence of Christ in Matrimony in verse 2 and chorus 2.
   
6. Ave Maria by Gretchen Harris
   I've been singing this forever, as has everyone else I'm sure, but it sure is a beautiful song...
   
7. Bridge to Heaven, A by Dan Duét
   We can build a bridge to Heaven, with the love between you and I / Like the stars that shine forever, is the love between you and I
   
8. Love That Someone Right by Nick Alexander
   This is a parody of the popular song "Summer Nights" from Grease, which encourages saving oneself until marriage. It is a duet with Teresa Smith, and produced by David Smith, and has guest vocals from a few others. Key line: "Once complete in matrimony, newfound love leads to newborn life..."
   
9. Covenant Hymn by Mel Kennedy
   This beautiful song written by Gary Daigle and Rory Cooney not only speaks of covenant, but also commitment and the faithfulness of God. I use this a lot at weddings (and actually, funerals, too.) My version of this piece keeps the simple hymn structure but adds a contemporary vibe.
   
10. When Smiles Fill My Eyes by Valerie Von Fange
    When Smiles Fill My Eyes was written by my husband, Tom, as a Valentine's poem. It then was inserted in our wedding program and subsequently turned into a song once I added the music. It is now a top seller on the Steadfast Love CD.
    This moving guitar serenade showcases beautiful accordian and violin fillers and solos. The words define love between two people as one movement through life.
    

Recently, the TopCatholicSongs community voted on the top Catholic artists who are rising in the ranks of note, lately. I have created a playlist that has two songs from each of their albums.
But perhaps you would like to check out the full countdown here...

Note: if the World Youth Day WYD08 (topCatholicsongs.com) playlist does not appear below, access it by clicking thru the pictures above, or this sentence.

Nick Alexander here...
World Youth Day 2008 is nearly upon us. Many pilgrims who will journey to Australia to meet with the pope, and to be encouraged in this year's theme:
"You will receive power when the Holy Spirit falls upon you, and you will be my witnesses to the ends of all the earth" (Acts 1:8)
For those who are making the pilgrimage, why not load up your MP3 player with music that will reinforce these themes? The list above is my personal favorite Holy Spirit songs, by Catholic artists who are hungering to spread the message of God's love in this world.
Also, be sure to check out the previous lists on this board. I recommend:
Christ Our Hope - the visit of the Pope to the United States

Top Holy Spirit Songs

Witness - Songs Inspired by the Franciscan U Youth Conferences

Top Graduation Songs

Nick Alexander here...
This past June 29, on the Feast Day of St. Peter and St. Paul, Pope Benedict XVI has issued forth a special year in celebration of St. Paul. This is in keeping with the traditional belief that he is celebrating his 2000th anniversary of his birth.

From vespers:
We are therefore gathered here not to reflect on a story from a past that has irrevocably gone. Paul speaks to us - today. That is why I proclaimed this special Pauline Year - to listen to him and to learn from him, as our teacher, ‘faith and truth’, in which are rooted the reasons for unity among the disciples of Christ.

We at TopCatholicSongs feel it is imperative to take this year seriously. Therefore we are going to be focusing upon the life and writings of St. Paul each month, until his feast year has run its course.

The list above is a focus on St. Paul himself--the man, the convert, knocked off his horse en route to Damascus, making a complete 180-degree turn in his life, and focusing intently on spreading the Gospel as far and as wide as He could. One of the great things about St. Paul is that he lived in a time where there was also a multi-cultural society, and he had the stamina and the fortitude to take a stand for Christ, which he understood to be the fullness of truth, no matter how hard his road would take him. And his writings today are seminal for the upbuilding of the New Testament church (as it is today)... linking his training in Greek philosophy with the prophetic words of the Old Testament.

And he is responsible for the most beautiful words ever throughout Scripture. Romans 8. 1 Corinthians 13. 2 Corinthians 5. Ephesians 6. Phillippians 3. 1 Timothy.... imminently quotable, inspiring, filled with great wisdom.

It is our intention to find songs that will quote many of these remarkable texts verbatim, in a musical format that is inviting, thoughtful and even fun... so that these texts may be committed to memory with ease. In the meantime, enjoy these songs from a mix of Catholic Contemporary artists, Christian Contemporary artists, and classical musicians, so to be able to understand more of the Great Witness that is Saint Paul.

Every year Franciscan University of Steubenville plays host to a series of youth/young adult conference weekends that provide great talks, inspiring worship, opportunities for adoration and confession, and great, great fun. This year, is no exception. The theme of the conferences this year is "Witness", and the accompanying verse is Acts 1:8.

From the Franciscan Youth Website:

The promise of God is that when the Holy Spirit comes upon us, we will receive power. What is that power? How do we access that power? How do we use that power? Pope Benedict VXI, himself, recently wrote, "Who is the Holy Spirit? It is a fact that for many Christians He is still the "great unknown." This summer we will seek not just to learn about the Holy Spirit, but to get to know Him as the living presence of God in our lives. And we will get to know His power – the power he wants us to have that we might be witnesses.

But a witness is more than someone who talks. A witness shows through his life that Jesus is Lord. The word "martyr" in Greek means witness. That is why there is blood on our logo – to remind us that being a true witness to Christ may cost us our very lives.

Here at TopCatholicSongs we wish to provide a great service to those who will be driving long distances, and for those who wish to be reminded of the themes throughout the year: the "Franciscan Steubenville Youth - Witness" playlist is a list of phenomenal songs from both Catholic and Contemporary Christian artists whose very songs reinforce the themes of this weekend.

1. Witness by Bob Rice on Steubenville Theme Songs
2. Evangelize by Nick Alexander on Eternal Life: The Party Album
3. Go Make A Difference by Steve Angrisano on Make A Difference
4. As It Is In Heaven by Matt Maher on Overflow
5. Jesus Freak (Live) by tobyMac on Alive and Transported (Live)
6. Ignatius Of Antioch (Like Wheat) by Fr. Kent O'Connor on Saints
7. I Cannot Tell It All by Tom Booth on Find Us Ready
8. It's Time by Last Day on We're Here
9. From Nothing to Everything by Ben Walther on Where I Want to Be
10. In the End by Full Armor on Against the Flow
11. Mission's Flame by Matt Redman on Facedown
12. Tears of the Saints by Leeland on Sound of Melodies
13. Ain't No Party by Fr. Stan Fortuna on Sacro Song 3
14. Dare You to Move by Switchfoot on The Beautiful Letdown
15. Follow the Son by Valerie Von Fange on Steadfast Love
16. Doing Something by Sean Clive on Amazed
17. City On A Hill by Third Day on City On a Hill - Songs of Worship and Praise
18. Here I Go Again by Casting Crowns on Casting Crowns
19. (Ichthus) by Nick Alexander on I Wanna Be Debated
20. Be God's by Danielle Rose on Mysteries
21. You Will Reign by Gerard Faucheux on How Can You Think of Me? (studio Version)
22. Open Wide The Doors by Martin Doman on Praying Twice, Vol II
23. Inside by Chris Padgett on Golden
24. Tell the World by Hillsong United on Look to You
25. Share It With The World by Critical Mass on Completely
26. God of Justice by Tim Hughes on We Must Go (Soul Survivor Live 2005)
27. Let Your Kingdom Come by Sovereign Grace Music on Valley of Vision
28. Micah 6:8 by Charlie Hall on Flying Into Daybreak
29. Salt and Light by Jami Smith on Immerse
30. Hero (Red Pill Mix) by Superchick on Regeneration
31. Teaching Them to Read by Nick Alexander on Eternal Life: The Party Album
32. Song of a Servant by Bob Filoramo on My Beacon of Hope
33. Go Light Your World by Mel Kennedy w/ M-N-M Music on Hope-N-Light
34. For Zion's Sake by John Michael Talbot on The Regathering
35. Go Out And Tell by Bobby Fisher & Who Do You Say I Am on Go Out And Tell

Be energized in your faith, be motivated to be bold for Christ, and be inspired to give your all for Him.

Nick Alexander here...

Once again, the Top Catholic Songs Community had banded together to nominate, vote and rank the Top Ten Children's Songs. We had a great time listening to these submissions, and we hope you enjoy the music here as well!

1. Standin' on the Rock by Mike Harrison featuring Greg Walton
   
   Old-time rock and roll exhorting kids to stand firm in their Catholic faith, unified with the Pope and Christ's Church.
2. R.C.I.A. by Nick Alexander
   
   This song shows Catholic children how special their faith is, that people would go to great lengths to enter their church. And, they love the funny hand motions!
3. Tantum Ergo / Adoration by Christ Music Kids
   
   An accessible introduction to St. Thomas Aquinas' Hymn for benediction, with a stirring refrain in English.
4. Your Grace Is Enough by Christ Music Kids
   
   "... "Remember Your people, remember Your children, remember Your promise, O God!"
5. Saint Michael by Mike Harrison featuring Sal Solo
   
   An energy-filled rendition of the St. Michael prayer that will launch your kids into spiritual battle!
6. I Can Hear the Angels Singing by Celeste Zepponi
   
   "A multitude of holy angels, I can hear them, can you hear? Singing to God eternally!"
7. Bread of Life by Christ Music Kids
   
   It takes a child-like faith to look at the Eucharist and say, "Jesus, You are the Bread of Life."
8. Little Way (St. Therese of Lisieux) by Fr. Kent O'Conno
   
   St. Therese is a favorite saint for many people, including myself. Her "Little Way" is a child-freindly spirituality.
9. Fill Me O God by Christ Music Kids
   
   "Pour out Your Holy love and reach me O God; Let my heart be Yours."
10. So I Ask by Sean Clive
    
    A song that helps your child say, "God, please help me today... all day... I'm going to need it."

Let these songs minister to you and your WHOLE FAMILY!