Hymns for the 4th Sunday of Lent, Year A (15 March 2026) - Catholic lectionary

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A selection of hymns and song suggestions, based on themes from the Roman Catholic lectionary for the fourth Sunday of Lent, Year A.

Most are free-to-use (ie public domain or copyright-free) meaning 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 selection of copyright hymns may also be included, where they are particularly relevant.

Suggestions about hymns that could be included are welcome: leave a comment below

Seasonal note

The fourth Sunday in Lent is commonly known as Laetare Sunday.   The word "laetare" means rejoice in Latin, and this idea is taken from the entrance-antiphon for the Mass, which starts "Rejoice, O Jerusalem...".   Falling roughly at the half-way point in the Lenten season, this is a Sunday when traditional Lenten austerity is relaxed, and we have a reminder of the joyous resurrection to come.   The day's liturgical colour is rose, instead of the usual purple of the Lenten season.

This is also Mother's Day in some countries.  

The feasts of St Patrick and St Joseph, Husband of Mary often fall around this time.



4th Sunday of Lent, Year C

Readings

First:  Samuel 16: 1, 6-7, 10-13 - Samuel is sent by the Lord and anoints David King of Israel.

Psalm 23 - The Lord is my shepherd there is nothing I shall want / He guides me along the right path / You have prepared a banquet for me / Surely and kindness shall follow me.

Second: Ephesians 5:8-14 - Wake up from you sleep and rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.

Gospel: John 9:1-41 - Jesus heals the man born blind.



Themes

Jesus shepherding us from the darkness into light:   healing and reconciliation, light.



Free-use art

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




Free-use hymns







Hymns which may still be copyright

  • Alive Again - Matt Maher
  • Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone) - Newton + Tomlin and Giglio
  • Awake, Awake, Fling off the Night - Peacey
  • Because the Lord Is My Shepherd - Christopher Walker (b. 1947)
  • Christ in Me Arise (Be now my vision; open these eyes) - Trevor Thomson (b. 1971)
  • Christ is the World's Light He and None Other - Pratt Green (1903–2000)


  • I am Free (Through you all the blind will see) - Jon Egan (2004)
  • I am the Light of the World (says the Lord) - Greg Hayakawa (b. 1953)
  • I Saw the Grass (The Perfect Face) - Estelle White (1925-2011)
  • In the Light of the Lord - Michael John Poirier
  • Jerusalem, My Destiny - Rory Cooney
  • Let the River Flow - Darrell Evans
  • Lord Heal the Darkness - Ian Callanan
  • Lord Open my Eyes - Solas (1993)
  • Miracles (I believe in You) - Chris Quilala, Joshua Silverberg, Dustin Smith and Stuart Garrard


  • The Good Shepherd - Bob Hurd
  • The Lord is my Light, my Light and my Salvation - Communauté de Taizé
  • The Man Born Blind - Marty Haugen (b. 195)
  • The Same Love - Michael Rossback, Paul Baloche
  • Tree of Life and Awesome Mystery - Marty Haugen (b. 1950)
  • Turn Our Hearts Around - Trevor Thompson
  • We Cannot Measure How You Heal - John L Bell (b. 1949)
  • Wide Open (To your word) - John Kontol
  • You Are the Healing - Scott Soper (b. 1961)



See also ...




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