Music Resources for Lent

by Christine Sine

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Celtic cross Mayne Island

Music is such a wonderful aid to meditation and reflection that I realize the need to help all of us find appropriate music to assist us in this. Obviously there are hundreds  if not thousands of songs and musical pieces out there that would be appropriate so I have tried to post a sampling from different traditions. Please do add your suggestions in the comment section as this is another new resource list for me.

Here are some of the best resources (some outside the box) that I have found in the music area for Lent and Easter.

GIA Publications has a very rich array of music for the season.

Discipleship Ministries has some good music resources for Lent, mainly available as free downloads.

Paul Neeley posts extensively on music resources for all seasons of the church year. Check out his link to Lenten, Holy Week and Easter resources.

Gungor’s song “Beautiful Things” is a powerful song of brokenness and transformation

A beautiful Celtic tune “A Lenten Journey”

And a beautiful reflective song from one of my favourite musicians Jeff Johnson

Handel’s “Messiah” is now traditionally known as a Christmas piece but was originally written for Easter.

“Te Deum” – 5th Century is attributed to two Fathers and Doctors of the Church, St. Ambrose and St. Augustine and is one the most majestic chants in the Liturgy of the Church.

These Gregorian chants from Assisi are beautiful to listen to as a focus for reflection.

“The St. Matthew Passion”, is a sacred oratorio from the Passions written by Johann Sebastian Bach in 1727 for solo voices, double choir and double orchestra, with libretto by Picander. It sets chapters 26 and 27 of the Gospel of Matthew (in the German translation of Martin Luther) to music, with interspersed chorales and arias. It is widely regarded as one of the masterpieces of classical sacred music. If you choose to listen to this make sure you have plenty of time – it is over 2 hours long.

“All Glory Laud and Honour” is the traditional hymn to sing on Palm Sunday.

“The Power of the Cross” – A beautiful reflective hymn for Good Friday.

And another classic – “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”.

“The Old Rugged Cross” – is another old favourite.

 Check Out Other Godspace Resources:

A series on Lent and Creativity:

Get Creative and Play Games for Lent;

Five Ways to Foster Creativity in Kids During Lent

Seven Tips for Creating Sacred Space For Lent

Let’s Get Creative with Lent

Let’s Get Creative – Doodle Your Way Through the Lenten Calendar

Godspace Resources:

Lord Lead Us To Repentance – A Lenten meditation video produced in 2012

Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?  This meditation is designed for Good Friday and does not have music.

An Invitation to Journey –  A short Lenten meditation video 2008

Is This the Fast?  – A Lenten meditation produced in 2008

All our Lenten and Easter resource lists, including FREE downloads can be found here

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11 comments

Pastor Coe Hutchison February 24, 2014 - 4:21 pm

This is great, Christine. Just got a chance to look at it. Will send it out along with your other blog on Lenten resources to our congregation. Thanks for putting it together. Hope you are doing well. Praying for both you and Bonnie. God bless, Coe

Christine Sine February 24, 2014 - 4:32 pm

Coe, good to hear from you and so glad that you can use these resources. Have a blessed Lenten season

eileen February 25, 2014 - 7:25 pm

Thanks for your blog posts. You may be interested in what this musical group is doing with their church year project. http://pagecxvi.com/sendy/w/7637pDuhaoEg4GrlEvhP763uSg/RF48929OKnl892f5R0z4RhcljQ/NafNNV8CSBVLSR6ay1xP3A

Christine Sine February 25, 2014 - 8:13 pm

Thanks Eileen it does look interesting

Gavin Ellis February 26, 2014 - 12:51 pm

Great resource, Christine. I’ve seen it pop up from a couple different sources on Facebook, which is always a good sign. I feel like it’s worth adding some of the contemplative music from Jeff Johnson to the list. I remember you using his music in the past on a couple of your Advent meditations, so I know you’re aware of him. I particularly love his Selah Audio Meditation vol. 3: The Way of the Cross. Though it’s not just music (it includes readings from scripture over instrumental music), it’s a wonderful devotional resource. I also find his album A Thin Silence to be particularly good for Lent. Most of his albums fit with Lent quite well if you skip the songs with Alleluias in them.

Christine Sine February 26, 2014 - 1:46 pm

Gavin you are right. I think that because I use his music so much I thought I should step out and mention others instead but I will add these to the list. I also posted music from Benedictine of Mary nuns that is powerful too. https://godspacelight.com/2014/02/26/lent-at-ephesus/ Obviously this is a list in progress

Gavin Ellis February 26, 2014 - 10:10 pm

I wasn’t trying to criticize. I just thought his music was worth adding. I think I usually listen to Jeff most during Lent (and then in the fall for some reason).

Christine Sine February 26, 2014 - 10:26 pm

Gavin I didn’t think you were criticizing – It was a good reminder to me to pull out these CDs of Jeff’s again. Blessings on you

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