Quels chants pour le Carême ?

Sobriété, pénitence, dépouillement. Pas de Gloria, pas d'Alléluia (remplacé par une acclamation moins éclatante). Privilégier les Psaumes (Ps 50/51, Ps 90), Pitié, pitié Seigneur, ou la Prière d'abandon (Charles de Foucauld). Le grégorien (Attende Domine, Parce Domine) fonctionne admirablement.

Peut-on chanter le Gloria pendant le Carême ?

Non, le Gloria est supprimé pendant tout le Carême, c'est l'une des marques liturgiques fortes du temps. Il revient avec éclat à la Vigile pascale (et les cloches sonnent). Le Sanctus, lui, reste.

L'Alléluia est-il vraiment interdit en Carême ?

Oui, l'Alléluia disparaît à partir du mercredi des Cendres et jusqu'à la Vigile pascale. À sa place: Gloire à toi, Seigneur ou Honneur et gloire à toi. L'absence elle-même devient une catéchèse, on attend la résurrection.

Lent: a sober, inward repertoire · Pierre-Arnaud Destremau

Liturgical year · 9 May 2026 · Pierre-Arnaud Destremau

Forty days of conversion. Lent calls for stripped-back music: no Alleluia, few ornaments, an inwardness that prepares for Easter.

The principle: sobriety

We put away the Alleluia, we temper the organ, we choose modal and restrained colours. This restraint is not sadness: it is a fast that will make the joy of Easter all the keener.

Points of reference

Gospel acclamation without the Alleluia (“Glory to you, O Christ…”).
Hymns of conversion, of mercy, of journeying towards Easter.
Keeping the same entrance hymn throughout Lent creates a strong sense of unity.

Preparing for Easter from now on

Lent is the ideal time to work in depth on the great piece for the Easter Vigil. The sobriety of the season frees up rehearsal time.

A reminder: only publish scores or lyrics for works in the public domain, your own compositions, or duly authorised works.

Need a bespoke hymn for your celebration? Write to me.

Frequently asked questions

What hymns for Lent?

Sobriety, penance, plainness. No Gloria, no Alleluia (replaced by a less resplendent acclamation). Favour the Psalms (Ps 50/51, Ps 90), Pitié, pitié Seigneur, or the Prière d'abandon (Charles de Foucauld). Gregorian chant (Attende Domine, Parce Domine) works admirably.

Can the Gloria be sung during Lent?

No, the Gloria is omitted throughout Lent, it is one of the strong liturgical marks of the season. It returns in splendour at the Easter Vigil (and the bells ring out). The Sanctus, however, remains.

Is the Alleluia really forbidden in Lent?

Yes, the Alleluia disappears from Ash Wednesday until the Easter Vigil. In its place: Glory to you, O Lord or Praise and honour to you. The absence itself becomes a catechesis: we await the resurrection.

Hymns related to this article

The hymns from the albums Vivant and Ephata most relevant to this theme.

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