Feast of All Souls

On the occasion of All Souls Day ( and in Mexico Day of the Dead)

"Requiem æternam dona eis, Domine,
et lux perpetua luceat eis.
Te decet hymnus Deus, in Sion,
et tibi reddetur votum in Ierusalem.
Exaudi orationem meam;ad te omnis caro veniet.
Requiem æternam dona eis, Domine,
et lux perpetua luceat eis."

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord ,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
A hymn becomes you, O God, in Zion,
and to you shall a vow be repaid in Jerusalem.
Hear my prayer;to you shall all flesh come.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them





Articles on yesterday's Feast of All Saints here and here.

Tom Courtenay (song)

Acoustic version of the song Tom Courtenay by Yo La Tengo. Another one of my favorites.

Stereolab: Lo Boob Oscillator

I'm in a certain kind of mood. As heard in High Fidelity. And elsewhere. And here too.

Lo'Jo & Django

Lo'Jo & Django sing "Jah Kas Cool Boy"

Feist

This song is a few years old but I've always liked it. It fits my mood lately. It's catchy, too.

Canadian singer Feist sings "1 2 3 4"

Such Great Heights

A nice video of tree climbing in Minnesota. The song is "Such Great Heights", orginally by The Postal Service. The version on this video is by Iron & Wine.

For doing the laundry

Heavy Metal Laundry Tips

Assumpta Es Maria In Caelum

A few days ago on Sunday was the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Planty of information about it at ChurchYear.Net. Better late than never, I honor the day by posting a little Gregorian Chant for the Feast.

The official book of music for Mass is the Roman Gradual but there is a lesser known book, also official, that is meant for smaller churches that might find the more complicated melodies in the Roman Gradual to be too difficult. It's called the Gruaduale Simplex or Simple Gradual and an example can be viewed below. This is the introit or entrance antiphon from the Graduale Simplex, Assumpta Es Maria In Caelum:




Many of the antiphons in the Graduale Simplex were adapted from the Divine Office so anyone fortunate to sing the Liturgy of the Hours for the day might have sung this same melody.

Illustrations blog

I came across this blog today. Looks good.

100 Years of Illustration and Design.

A little taste of California

How to Make an In-N-Out Burger at Home, Animal Style

A lot of people love In-N-Out Burger (appearantly Julia Child was a fan) but it's only found in California and a couple of neighboring states.

Christina Mirabilis

Today is the feast of St. Christina the Astonishing . Fr. Z wrote a bit about her here. Over a year ago the blog Shrine of the Holy Whapping featured a lovely painting about her here. Nick Cave even has a song about her:

"She soared up to the rafters
Perched on a beam up there
Cried "The stink of human sin
Is more that I can bear"

Lyrics

Live Performance:

Falling Out Of Love (With You)

The 6ths, featuring Dean Wareham singing Falling Out Of Love (With You). The scenes in the video are from The Adventures of Pete & Pete.

FSI Language Courses

The U.S. government's Foreign Language Institute developed language courses for the benefit of diplomats and so forth. Much of the material is in the public domain and it's been placed online for free at this website: http://www.fsi-language-courses.org/.

La Malagueña

Scene from the film "Enamorada", starring Maria Felix and Pedro Armendariz, the Trio Calaveras singing "La Malagueña"

Sky Chart

SkyandTelescope.com have an Interactive Sky Chart.

Create a custom naked-eye map of the whole sky for any place on Earth, at any
time of day or night, on any date from 1600 to 2400.

Everything's Alright

From Jesus Christ Superstar, Everything's Alright

You Can Have It All

Here, some more indie/alternative music. Yo La Tengo, "You Can Have It All".

Typography website

Came across a website through AndrewCusack.Com:

I Love Typography

Some articles:
So You Want to Create a Font
On Choosing Type
Who Shot the Serif?

Avril en Mai

Here, "Avril en Mai" by Apples in Stereo

Zamba Corta

Here, "Zamba Corta" sung by Juana Molina , accompanied by a short film by Pablo Rodriguez Jauregui.



This video was also posted here.

A Train Stop in Hungary

Here, a favorite scene from the movie Latcho Drom:




Latcho Drom is a musical journey that roughly follows the path the Gypsies took from India all the way to Spain. No real plot or dialogue but recurring themse, motifs and beautiful music and images.

Tarantas

Here, flamenco dancing by Trini España in the tarantos style, accompanied by Juan Calero on vocals and Enrique de Melchor and Juan Jimenezin on guitar, in a clip from a few decades ago.

1930s Mens Wear

Found here at the Fedora Lounge, a guide to collectible fashions of 1930s including a chapter on mens wear.

Linked because there's a part of me that wishes the world looked like the 1930s (and 40s).

Alleluia Pascha Nostrum

In honor of Easter and its Octave, a chant for the mass of Easter Sunday:

Alleluia! Christ our Passover lamb has been sacrificed. Alleluia!

Introit or entrance chant for mass on the 2nd Sunday of Easter (tomorrow): Quasi Modo

Here's another clip of the same chant: Quasi Modo Geniti Infantes

Friday of Sorrows

At Sub Tuum blog Br. Stephen points out that today is the commemoration of Our Lady of Sorrows on the calendar of the Extroardinary Form. That's no longer the case in the modern Roman Rite (Ordinary Form), it is commemorated on September 15, but in my family we still call today Viernes de Dolores or "Friday of Sorrows". Appearantly traditions are still observed on this day in some places such as this procession in Huelva, Spain.

Br. Stephen has a photo collection of Sorrowful Virgins and Pietas here.

Friday of Sorrows

At Sub Tuum blog Br. Stephen points out that today is the commemoration of Our Lady of Sorrows on the calendar of the Extroardinary Form. That's no longer the case in the modern Roman Rite (Ordinary Form), it is commemorated on September 15, but in my family we still call today Viernes de Dolores or "Friday of Sorrows". Appearantly traditions are still observed on this day in some places such as this procession in Huelva, Spain.

Br. Stephen has a photo collection of Sorrowful Virgins and Pietas here.

The Feast of the Annunciation

Today is the the Feast of the Annunciation. A bit about today’s holy day from ChurchYear.Net.

All About the Solemnity of the Annunciation

Some of the chants for today’s Mass are the same as those for the 4th Sunday of Advent. Among them, the Introit, or entrance chant, Rorate Caeli:






The antiphon and psalm verse are taken from Isaiah 45:8 and Psalm 18 (Vulgate numbering):

“Skies, let the Just One come forth like the dew, let him descend
from the clouds like the rain. The earth will open up and give
birth to our Saviour. V. The heavens declare the glory of God, and
the firmament proclaims the work of his hands.”


The Communion, or communion chant, Ecce Virgo:






The antiphon is also from the Book of Isaiah, Chapter 7, Verse 14:

“Behold, a Virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name
shall be called Emmanuel.”

This recording also adds the corresponding verse from Psalm 18 (“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims the work of his hand”, same as in the introit).

Also in honor of tdoay, from the Rosary Sonatas by Heinrich Ignaz Biber:

Rosary Sonata #1, The Annunciation

Rondeñas de Alcázar

A bit of Spanish folklore, contemporary style, from the region of La Mancha:

Rondeña de Alcázar

Joy Division

For some reason I had a need to listen to some Joy Division today.

"Love Will Tear Us Apart".

Rejoice

Today is the 4th Sunday of Lent, "Laetare Sunday". Live mp3 of today's introit here, from the monks in Sao Paulo. Notation here. Translation:

"Rejoice O Jerusalem and come together, all ye that love her;rejoice for joy, all ye that have mourned: that ye may be glad, and be satisfied with the breasts of your consolation.

I was glad when they said unto me; We will go into the house of the Lord. "

( from Isiaiah 66: 10-11, and Psalm 121(122) )

Rest of today's propers here.

More about Laetare Sunday:

Old Catholic Encyclepedia: Laetare Sunday
What is Laetare Sunday? from About.com
Reflections on today's readings from Salvationhistory.com

Pizzica

Pizzica music from southern Italy: Alla Bua - "Pizzicarella"

From Psalm 119

Today at Midday Prayer (Sext) the last phrase here grabbed me for some reason.

"Be kind to your servant that I may live, that I may keep your word.
Open my eyes to see clearly the wonders of your teachings.
I am a sojourner in the land ......."

http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/psalms/psalm119.htm

Lent

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. A few useful links:

Praying Lent 2010 from Creighton University.

The Spiritual Exercises Blog, follow meditations based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola during Lent.

Aggie Catholics Annual Lenten Megapost plus Compulsory Ash Wednesday Reading and Viewing from the same blog. A day late but oh, well.

A Comprehensive Guide to Lent: History, Resources, Links, and FAQ from ChurchYear.Net including their fine Church Fathers Lenten Reading Plan.

This plan is included in the Fr. Jerabek's Lenten Reading Plans page along with ones dedicated to the saints, to Fr. Faber and Cardinal Newman, and to St. Jean Marie Vianney.

This blogger links to a plan based on the writings of St. John Climacus, Thoughts on the Ladder of Divine Ascent, as well as a sermon by Metropolitan Jonah of the Orthodox Church in America.

De Profundis

In the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church , Psalm 129(130) is traditionally used as a prayer for the dead. It is used in the Office of the Dead , which is a set of prayers said or sung for the deceased that are part of the Liturgy of the Hours , a large set or cycle of psalms and prayers which are said or sung every day throughout the year. In modern bibles it appears as Psalm 130 but its traditional number in Catholic worship is 129, as it appears in the Vulgate, the Latin translation of the Bible. Psalm 129(130) is traditionally called by its first words in Latin, the "De Profundis".

In the Liturgy of the Hours it's also used at other times. For instance, it's currently used on Wednesdays for Compline, or Night Prayer. It is also one of the Penetential Psalms , psalms used traditionally to express remorse and pray for forgiveness.

1 Out of the depths I have cried to you, O Lord:

2 Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.

3 If you, O Lord, will mark iniquities: Lord, who shall stand it.

4 For with you there is merciful forgiveness: and by reason of your law,
I have waited for you, O Lord. My soul has relied on his word:

5 My soul has hoped in the Lord.

6 From the morning watch even until night, let Israel hope in the Lord.

7 Because with the Lord there is mercy: and with him plentiful redemption.

8 And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities

The composer Josquin des Prez set the psalm to music. His setting can be heard performed by the Hilliard Ensemble here:

Josquin: De Profundis Clamavi

Who Killed the Electric Car?

I saw part of this documentary which I thought was pretty good.

Movie website: http://www.whokilledtheelectriccar.com/

Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Who_Killed_the_Electric_Car%3F

Haiti

To help Haiti:

Mercy Corps

Catholic Relief Services

American Red Cross

International Red Cross

The Hunger Site

Partners In Health

Aid To The Church in Need
Food For the Poor

Happy Up Here

Röyksopp's "Happy Up Here", the marching band version:

Super-Electric

One of my favorite songs from one of my favorite bands, Stereolab:

Movie Posters

Movie Posters of the (past) Year.

link

Omnes de Saba

Gradual chant for the Feast of the Epiphany, Omnes de Saba:



Courtesy of Chantblog.

The rest of the chants for Mass on the Feast of the Epiphany are found here.

Traditional date of the Epiphany

Today, January 6, is the traditional date for the Feast of the Epiphany. In Spain and Latin America today, not Christmas Day, is the traditional date for exchanging gifts and it is the Three Wise Men who bring the children their gifts.

All about Epiphany from Churchyear.net.

Because it is still the Christmas season(!)
All about Christmas, also from the Churchyear site.

History of the feast:Epiphany,
from the old Catholic Encyclopedia.

Todays's Office of Readings: Office of Readings for the the Feast of the Epiphany , from Universalis.

From today's Liturgy of the Hours,

At Lauds (Morning Prayer), the antiphon for the Canticle of Zechariah:

"Today the Bridegroom claims his bride, the Church, since Christ has washed her sins away in Jordan's waters; the Magi hasten with thir gifts to the royal wedding; and the wedding guests rejoice, for Christ has changed water into wine, alleluia."

At Second Vespers (Evening Prayer II), the antiphon for the Magnificat, or Canticle of Mary:

"Three Mysteries mark this holy day: today the star leads the Magi to the infant Christ; today water is changed into wine for the wedding feast; today Christ wills to be baptized by John in the river Jordan to bring us salvation."

Corde Natus

Lyrics: Corde Natus ( Of the Father's Heart Begotten)

An Epiphany Vespers

A performance by Piffaro, the Rennaisance Music Band:

Liturgy and fleas

An interesting post from Fr. Ray Blake at the St. Mary Magdalen blog from the U.K, about love of the liturgy and love of the poor among priests.

Why is it that those who love the liturgy don't have fleas anymore?

The Epiphany

"We have seen his star in the east, and have come with gifts to adore the Lord."
-communion antiphon from the Roman Missal

Despite the previous post, in most places today would have been observed as either the second Sunday after Christmas or, in the U.S., as the Feast of the Epiphany (traditionally observed on January 6). Therefore if you had gone to Mass at a Catholic Church today in the U.S.A, the readings you would have heard would have been for the Epiphany. You can read today's readings below:

Readings for the Epiphany

The readings for this feast are the same for each year of the 3-year cycle of Sunday Readings, so one can read last year's reflection on the readings from Dr. Scott Hahn: Newborn King

The Holy Name

Some articles on the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus, restored to the modern calendar of the Roman Rite as an optional memorial by Pope John Paul II.

Wikipedia article: Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus

From CatholicCulture.org: Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus

Short article from the old Catholic Encyclopedia: Feast of the Holy Name

An article from the Catholic Herald in Arlington, Virginia:
Straight Answers: The Holy Name of Jesus

From the blog Communio:
The Most Holy Name of Jesus

Last but not least, "Spreading devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus. Yesterday, Today, and Forever.":
The Holy Name Society

Plus (because this might come in handy) How to Make a Holy Hour: How to Make a Holy Hour