So you and I are in good company if we find TheTrinity challenging. Fortunately, even if the philosophical explanations elude us, we can know the Triune God through the experience of Faith. Thanks be to God. And after all, isn't through experience, and not intellect, that we come to know love?
The Pentecost Sequence
The Pentecost Sequence Today would be Monday in the Octave of Pentecost in the traditional liturgical calendar. Although the Octave of Pentecost has not been observed in the Ordinary Form of the Mass since 1969 (for more on this liturgical change, with feeling, see HERE and HERE on Fr. Z's blog), it would be a shame … Continue reading The Pentecost Sequence
Fickle Fame and Salieri’s “Gloria”
Fickle Fame Antonio Salieri, by Joseph Willibrord Mähler, 1815 Fickle Fame is a confounding thing. It's often the way that a well-regarded artist falls out of fashion. Despite the worthiness of his or her work, the artist is forgotten by subsequent generations. Even truly great artists can meet this fate: The 16th century poet John … Continue reading Fickle Fame and Salieri’s “Gloria”
Lobet Gott in Seinen Reichen (from Bach’s Ascension Oratorio)
Ascension Thursday This coming Thursday is the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord . . . at least in many dioceses. And of course, wherever the traditional liturgical calendar is followed. It may not surprise you, if you are a regular reader of this blog, that I'm not a fan of moving important feasts like … Continue reading Lobet Gott in Seinen Reichen (from Bach’s Ascension Oratorio)
Regina Caeli, by Gregor Aichinger (Easter Music)
Regina Caeli by Gregor Aichinger The Regina Caeli ("Queen of Heaven") is a prayer that we closely associate with Easter. We usually recite this prayer instead of the Angelus during the Easter Season. At this time it also serves as the Marian Antiphon at the end of Compline (Night Prayer). Numerous composers have set it … Continue reading Regina Caeli, by Gregor Aichinger (Easter Music)
Ever Young, Ever Old: Pedro Camacho’s Te Deum
I have always appreciated the way the Te Deum does so much so succinctly. In just a few lines we are reminded of the sweep of Salvation History, the Communion of Saints, the Doctrine of the Trinity, the Mission of Jesus Christ from Bethlehem to the New Jerusalem, and all in the form of a joyful song of praise to our God.
Exult in God: Palestrina’s Exultate Deo (Sacred Music for Easter)
While music has grown in technique and complexity since then, even the greatest composers of past 500 years haven't been able to surpass the sheer musical loveliness of the works of polyphonic composers such as Victoria, Tallis, Byrd, and Palestrina.
“Hallelujah” from Beethoven’s Christ on the Mount of Olives
We tend not to associate the word "hallelujah" with those penitential seasons. In Christ on the Mount of Olives it signifies the climactic moment when Christ says, "Not my will, but ours, be done" (Luke 22:42). This is when he commits himself to his passion and death on the cross. That, in turn, will lead directly to the triumph of Easter. Now that calls for a "Hallelujah!"
Hidden Treasure: Mascagni’s Easter Hymn (Music for Easter Monday)
This lovely piece of music is a little like the Treasure Hidden in a Field form Jesus' parable (see Matthew 13:44) . . . It's a nice reminder that grace breaks through even in the ugliest of circumstances.
Have a Blessed Easter! (Jesus Christ is Risen Today)
Christ is Risen indeed. And what could be more fitting this day than the joyous Easter hymn, "Jesus Christ is Risen Today"? T