Top Catholic Songs – share, learn, promote

In many of my HYMN OF THE MONTH write-up’s, I have mentioned with much affection St. Mary’s Choir, of Akron, Ohio.

I have included bits and pieces about the organist and choir members from time to time. As I grow older, and Christmas or Easter comes around, I remember them even more and so I thought I would take the time to share a little history and a few anecdotes with you while I am still able.

Please take a moment to read about St. Mary’s Choir as I remember them and listen to some wonderful recordings.
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https://www.motherofmercycatholichymns.com/st-marys-choir/

HYMN OF THE MONTH – December: The City of David is Sleeping

As part of my series on Catholic hymns, I have chosen a Christmas song appropriate for the Christmas season. This Christmas song was composed by a religious Sister of Mercy who lived more than 30 years ago but the song itself is much older.  Please take a moment to read about this wonderful Christmas song.

Please visit my website Mother of Mercy Catholic Hymns and click on HYMN OF THE MONTH.

https://www.motherofmercycatholichymns.com/the-city-of-david-is-sleeping/

Be sure to read about these other fine hymns appropriate for the Christmas season.
Sleep Holy Babe
The New Born King

HYMN OF THE MONTH – November: Let a Pious Prayer Be Said

As part of my series on Catholic hymns, I have chosen a hymn appropriate for the Feast of All Souls and appropriate to sing during the month of November as we remember to pray for the poor souls in purgatory. The hymn was written by one of America’s first Catholic authors who became the pastor of one of the largest Catholic parishes in New York City. A forgotten American Hymnodist says Monsignor Hugh Thomas Henry.

Please visit my website Mother of Mercy Catholic Hymns and click on HYMN OF THE MONTH.

https://www.motherofmercycatholichymns.com/let-a-pious-prayer-be-said/

Be sure to read about these other fine hymns appropriate for the Feast of All Souls
Help Lord the Souls Which Thou Hast Made
Sweet Name Which Makes the Dying Live

Hymn of the Month - October: O Queen of the Holy Rosary

I have been very busy last month and this month doing woodworking projects. I now have four garden benches to make from trees (honey locust) that once grew in the courtyard of St. Mary's in Akron, Ohio. These garden benches will be placed in the Mary Garden.


As you might imagine, I have not had much time to do hymn research, and with October nearly upon us, I decided to share again one of my favorite hymns in honor of Our Lady of the Rosary. This hymn was written by a well-known hymn writer, the wife of a minister, and convert to the Church of Rome. Please take a few moments to read about this beloved Catholic hymn.

https://www.motherofmercycatholichymns.com/o-queen-of-the-holy-rosary/

If the hymn above is not to your liking check out these other favorite hymns that are very appropriate to honor the Mother of God during this month of October.

Mary, Dearest Mother
Mother Dearest, Mother Fairest
Mary, How Sweetly Falls that Word
Mother Dear, O Pray for Me
I’ll  Sing a Hymn to Mary
Mother of Mercy, Day by Day
Hail, Virgin of Virgins
Ave Maria Bright and Pure

HYMN OF THE MONTH – August: Immaculate Mary
As part of my series on Catholic hymns, I have chosen the hymn Immaculate Mary. This is a hymn that all Catholics should know but you may not be aware of the history and development of the hymn. Please take a moment to read about this beautiful Marian hymn.

Please visit my website Mother of Mercy Catholic Hymns and click on HYMN OF THE MONTH.

https://www.motherofmercycatholichymns.com/immaculate-mary/

As part of my series on Catholic hymns, I have chosen a hymn that was very popular at St. Mary’s Parish in Akron, Ohio. It was sung on many occasions, especially for First Communion.  It is a good hymn and was written by a Sister of Mercy from the Charleville Convent in County Cork, Ireland around the 1850s. It has appeared in many Catholic hymnals over the years and multiple melodies have been composed for this one hymn. This hymn was originally written for children with a simple melody and may appeal to men and women of all ages.

Please visit my website Mother of Mercy Catholic Hymns and click on HYMN OF THE MONTH.

https://www.motherofmercycatholichymns.com/jesus-teach-me-how-to-pray/

I thought some of you might like to know how I do research for my HYMN OF THE MONTH write-ups and so I thought I would take a moment to explain my methodology in hopes that it might inspire and help others. When doing my hymn research, the first step for me is the selection process. Several factors will affect my decision...

Please click on the link to read more.

https://www.motherofmercycatholichymns.com/conducting-hymn-research/​​​​​​​

As part of my series on Catholic hymns, I have chosen a hymn that St. Mary’s Choir in Akron, Ohio sang on many occasions, it is one of my favorite hymns. How many of us have need of a friend like Jesus? Someone who really understands, who knows our difficulties and who knows the weight of the cross. This is a very beautiful hymn to sing especially in these days when we read about and hear of the need to have a personal relationship with Jesus. The hymn has been forgotten by all except for a few vintage organists, hymnologists, and choir members like myself. Ask your organist or choir director to sing this wonderful hymn at your next Mass.

Please visit my website Mother of Mercy Catholic Hymns and click on HYMN OF THE MONTH.

https://www.motherofmercycatholichymns.com/i-need-thee-precious-jesus/

As part of my series on Catholic hymns, I have chosen a hymn that St. Mary’s Choir in Akron, Ohio sang for our annual parish May Crowning, it is one of my favorite hymns honoring the Blessed Mother. The hymn speaks of the blessed and beautiful days, and we are blessed in so many ways. Please take a few moments to read about this wonderful hymn to the Blessed Mother and to those who are responsible for establishing May Crowning and May Processions in this country.

Please visit my website Mother of Mercy Catholic Hymns and click on HYMN OF THE MONTH.

https://www.motherofmercycatholichymns.com/tis-the-month-of-our-mother/

As part of my series on Catholic hymns, I have chosen a hymn that was written by Father Frederick Faber in 1861. Father Faber was a convert to Catholicism and began writing hymns in 1848. How many times during our lives do we seem lost in earth’s dark night? How often does some anxiety overwhelms us, some fear because of the words or actions of others?

Please take a few moments to read about this beautiful collection of daily invocations to the Blessed Mother for her help, her intercession, and her protection.

Please visit my website Mother of Mercy Catholic Hymns and click on HYMN OF THE MONTH.

https://www.motherofmercycatholichymns.com/mary-dearest-mother/

As part of my series on Catholic hymns, I have chosen a hymn that was written by a Redemptorist Priest. He was a missionary in England, Scotland, Australia, New Zealand, and was affectionately known by his fellow companions as the grand old chief.

He compiled the first Australian Catholic Hymn Book which served the Catholic Church for many years. 

Please take a few moments to read about this wonderful hymn asking for God’s mercy and compassion. Please visit my website Mother of Mercy Catholic Hymns and click on HYMN OF THE MONTH.

https://www.motherofmercycatholichymns.com/god-of-mercy-and-compassion/

As part of my series on Catholic hymns, I have chosen a hymn that was widely used by evening novena prayer groups. The text of the hymn may have been inspired by verses  written by Father Frederick W. Faber. This is one of my favorite Marian hymns and it was sung by St. Mary’s Choir in Akron, Ohio on various occasions for more than thirty-five years. The words and music first appeared in 1883 and can be credited to a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur.

Though not originally written for novenas, the hymn was incorporated into the evening novena programs as early as the 1930s. In addition to the traditional words and melody, I found four other melodies that were used for this hymn.

Please take a few moments to read about this wonderful Marian hymn and visit my website Mother of Mercy Catholic Hymns and click on HYMN OF THE MONTH.

Each month I feature a short story on a Catholic devotional hymn with a short biography on the author, the composer(s), and a short reflection. I have been doing these short write-ups for a couple years.

As part of my series on Catholic hymns, I have chosen a favorite hymn of mine, Mary! How Sweetly Falls That Word. This is a beautiful hymn that honors the Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Take a few moments to read about the author and composer of this beautiful Catholic hymn and be sure to share this story with all your friends.

Many of the hymns that I feature are hymns that I sang in St. Mary's Choir (1977-2010) and new hymns that I have added to my repertoire. These hymns have kept me grounded in my Catholic Faith and I turn to them in good times and bad. They are a source of comfort and spiritual nourishment to me, and I hope for you as well. I want to share them with you because some of you may never have heard them. They are prayerful and meaningful with approved texts by the Catholic Church.

Please visit my website Mother of Mercy Catholic Hymns and click on HYMN OF THE MONTH.