Any Miracles At All . . . Well, have you seen any miracles? How many of us would know it if we had? The Jesuit Gerard Manley Hopkins, whose formation taught him to See God in All Things, wrote: Glory be to God for dappled things – For skies of couple-colour as a brinded cow; … Continue reading Seen Any Miracles Lately?
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
Laetare, Jerusalem: 4th Sunday of Lent
Laetare Sunday represents more than a break midway through Lent. It's a demarcation, showing us that something is changing. It's a last breath of fresh air and a final glimpse of sunlight before plunging into the depths of Passiontide. We have a reminder of God's promise as we walk with Jesus on the Way of the Cross.
Abundant Mercy – Lotti’s Miserere (Music for Lent)
King David had used trickery and deceit to send Uriah the Hittite to his death. He had, in fact, murdered his loyal soldier in order to hide his own adultery. Tradition tells us that David composed Psalm 51 as an expression of sorrow and repentance for the wicked deed. We often refer to the psalm as the Miserere ("Have mercy") because that's its first word in the Latin Vulgate Bible.
Hail, Queen! Ave Regina Caelorum
The trials of Lent, and by extension of our earthly life, are the necessary road between the two. What better to contemplate in our last waking moments of the day in this penitential season than the Glory at the end of the journey?