LiturgyTools.net: Hymn suggestions, Pentecost Sunday, Year A (28 May 2023)

A selection of free-to-use (ie public domain or copyright-free) hymns and songs, based on themes from the Roman Catholic lectionary for Pentecost Sunday in Year A.

"Free-to-use" means the words can be copied and sung to at least one tune with no concerns about copyright or performance licensing - sometimes in a limited setting. Many of these hymns are old/traditional - but where possible a variety of styles and genres are included. A small list of hymns that are still copyright, but are particularly relevant, may also be included.

Suggestions about hymns that could be included are welcome: leave a message in the Comments box near the bottom of the page.

Seasonal Note

Separate readings are used for Vigil Masses, so the following applies to Masses during the day.

Many of the suggested hymns for Confirmation are also suitable for Pentecost.

Pentecost Sunday, Year C

Ascension, Year A

Trinity Sunday, Year A

Pentecost Sunday, Year B

Readings

First: Acts 2: 1-11 - The gathered apostles heard the wind, were filled with the Holy Spirit, and able to speak in the languages of everyone in Jerusalem.

Psalm: 103 - Send forth your spirit O Lord and renew the face of the earth / Bless the Lord my soul / You take back your spirit they die / May the glory of the Lord last forever

Second: Corinthians 12: 3-7, 12-13 - There is a variety of gifts, but always the same Spirit .. in whom we are all baptised.

Gospel: John 20: 19-23 - Peace be with you - as the Father sent me, so I am sending you - receive the Holy Spirit.

Themes

Receiving the Holy Spirit - being taught and empowered by it, and sent out to the world.

Free-use artwork

See lectionary art for this Sunday for suggested pictures and art-works based on today's readings.

Free-use hymns

Come Holy Ghost Creator Blest

Come Holy Ghost Creator Come

Creator Spirit by whose Aid

Hail Thee, Festival Day (with Pentecost refrain)

Hail the Joyful Day’s Return - Campbell

Holy Spirit Lord of Light

Holy Spirit Truth Divine

If You Believe and I Believe

Joy Because the Circling Year

Love Divine all Loves Excelling

O Breath on me O Breath of God

O Holy Spirit Enter In - Winkworth

Psalm 103 - Music for Mass setting

Spirit Divine Attend our Prayers

Veni Creator Spiritus

Veni Lumen Cordium

Hymns which may still be copyright

By the Waking of our Hearts - Manalo (based on the Sequence - ref)

Come Down O Love Divine
(the words are copyright in most countries, but the most commonly-used tune is not)

Holy Spirit - Pixner (ref)

Lord Send out Your Spirit - Zsigray

On Pentecost They Gathered - Huber (link)

The Power of the Spirit - Mason (ref)