Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt:
What Are You Doing New Years Eve?
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Friday, December 30, 2011
Canto de Pastorela
A song from one of the "Pastorelas". "Las Pastorelas" or "Los Pastores" as they're sometimes called, are the "Shepherd's Plays" that Mexicans perform during Christmastime. The dialogue and details of the plot vary from place to place, but they all portray the journey of the shepherds to see the Christ Child in Bethlehem. Along the way they receive help and obstacles from angels and devils and face many temptations. The plays are often accompanied with music and song. The song below is from an album by singer Óscar Chávez.
Lyrics:
“A frozen December appears to come,
the rose of April will bear fewer flowers.
How beautiful is the countryside, how beautiful are the flowers;
how beautiful is the song of the nightingales.
Upon the horizon the shadow walks,
we greet the peace from Palestine.
Crystal water, transparent ice;
Blessed is He who comes, the King of Heaven!”
Lyrics:
“A frozen December appears to come,
the rose of April will bear fewer flowers.
How beautiful is the countryside, how beautiful are the flowers;
how beautiful is the song of the nightingales.
Upon the horizon the shadow walks,
we greet the peace from Palestine.
Crystal water, transparent ice;
Blessed is He who comes, the King of Heaven!”
Friday, December 23, 2011
Friday, December 16, 2011
Las Posadas
December 16 is when Mexicans begin celebrating Las Posadas, which last for the 9 days before Christmas.
Disney has a pretty good description of the tradition, believe it or not, in the animated film The Three Caballeros:
The Spanish version of the film gives a better sense of the music of Las Posadas (0:35 to 1:50):
Disney has a pretty good description of the tradition, believe it or not, in the animated film The Three Caballeros:
The Spanish version of the film gives a better sense of the music of Las Posadas (0:35 to 1:50):
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
St. John of the Cross
Today was the memorial of St. John of the Cross, mystic, poet, and Doctor of the Catholic Church. A St. John of the Cross page here from Doctorsofthe catholicchurch.com. Another page: General Introduction to the Collected Works of St. John of the Cross.
The late singer Enrique Morente (who passed away a year ago yesterday) sang some of St. John's poetry set to flamenco music. Here he sings some verses adapted from St. John's poem "Cantar del alma que se huelga de conocer a Dios por fe" (Song of the soul that rejoices in knowing God by faith):
The late singer Enrique Morente (who passed away a year ago yesterday) sang some of St. John's poetry set to flamenco music. Here he sings some verses adapted from St. John's poem "Cantar del alma que se huelga de conocer a Dios por fe" (Song of the soul that rejoices in knowing God by faith):
Monday, December 12, 2011
Feast Day
Today was the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
"Our Lady of Guadalupe Patroness of Mexico, the Americas, and the Philippines.
In this video the people are singing to St Mary of Guadalupe "Las Mañanitas" (mexican happy birthday traditional song)"
"Our Lady of Guadalupe Patroness of Mexico, the Americas, and the Philippines.
In this video the people are singing to St Mary of Guadalupe "Las Mañanitas" (mexican happy birthday traditional song)"
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Friday, November 4, 2011
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
The Feast of All Saints
Today was All Saints Day. Today is a good day to pray the Litany of the Saints:
A setting of the Te Deum composed for this feast by Domenico Scarlatti:
Painting by Blessed Fra Angelico.
A setting of the Te Deum composed for this feast by Domenico Scarlatti:
Painting by Blessed Fra Angelico.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Mr. Lugosi and Mr. Price
Today is Halloween.
Bela Lugosi in the 1935 film "The Raven":
(from Today's Tie)
Vincent Price reads Edgar Allan Poe's poem "The Raven".
The Collected Works of Edgar Allan Poe Online.
Bela Lugosi in the 1935 film "The Raven":
(from Today's Tie)
Vincent Price reads Edgar Allan Poe's poem "The Raven".
The Collected Works of Edgar Allan Poe Online.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Blessed John Paul II
Today the Church remembers Blessed Pope John Paul II on her calendar for the first time.
Here is the Second Reading for today's Office of Readings: today's reading. It is taken from Blessed John Paul's Inaugural Homily.
(A couple of links via Whispers in the Loggia.)
Here is the Second Reading for today's Office of Readings: today's reading. It is taken from Blessed John Paul's Inaugural Homily.
(A couple of links via Whispers in the Loggia.)
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Zumbi ao vivo
Jorge Ben, peforms a live version of "Zumbi". The song was originally on "A Tábua De Esmerald", one of my favorite albums.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Calenda Maia
Calenda Maia (The First of May), medieval song written by Raimbaut de Vaqueiras.
English translation available here.
English translation available here.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Belated Easter Post
Many weeks late, a chant from the Mass for Easter. The "alleluia" (that can be) sung before the reading of the Gospel: Alleluia Pascha Nostrum.
"Alleluia. Christ our Paschal victim is sacrificed. Alleluia"
.
More on the celebration of Easter from ChurchYear.Net:
All about the Easter Triduum.
All about the Easter Season.
Another version of the chant above, this time accompanied by the Indian sitar. Very beautiful.
"Alleluia. Christ our Paschal victim is sacrificed. Alleluia"
.
More on the celebration of Easter from ChurchYear.Net:
All about the Easter Triduum.
All about the Easter Season.
Another version of the chant above, this time accompanied by the Indian sitar. Very beautiful.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Fifth Sorrowful Mystery
Today is Good Friday.
The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery:
The Crucifixion of Our Lord Jesus Christ
From Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber's "Rosary Sonatas":
The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery:
The Crucifixion of Our Lord Jesus Christ
From Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber's "Rosary Sonatas":
Friday, April 15, 2011
Friday, April 8, 2011
Monday, April 4, 2011
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Laetare Sunday
Today is the 4th Sunday of Advent, sometimes called Laetare Sunday because the entrance chant or introit of the mass begins with the word Laetare which means "rejoice".
Today's readings from mass.
A bit about Laetare Sunday from the old Catholic Encyclopedia and from Wikipedia. It's roughly mid-way between Ash Wednsday and Easter. In a way it's like the church stops to take a breath on it's journey towards Easter Sunday.
Traditionally, on this Sunday priests can wear pink, excuse me, rose vestments at mass.
The introit that gives the day it's name is from Isaiah 66:10,11 and Psalm 121(122):
"Rejoice, 0 Jerusalem; and gather round, all you who love her;
rejoice in gladness, after having been in sorrow; exult and be
replenished with the consolation flowing from her motherly
bosom. jr. I rejoiced when it was said unto me: "Let us go to the
house of the Lord."
Personally, I'm really fond of todays gradual, or chant between the readings. You will almost never hear it sung outside the old traditional Latin mass (Extraordinary Form) because it the Ordinary Form it's place is usually taken by the Responsorial Psalm from the lectionary for Mass. I happen to like responsorial psalms, I think they were a good idea, but I also really like this chant, it's one of my favorites. It's also taken from Psalm 121(122) and called Laetatus Sum:
"I rejoiced when it was said unto me: "Let us go to the house of
the Lord." ,. Let peace reign within your walls, and abundance in
your towers."
Today's readings from mass.
A bit about Laetare Sunday from the old Catholic Encyclopedia and from Wikipedia. It's roughly mid-way between Ash Wednsday and Easter. In a way it's like the church stops to take a breath on it's journey towards Easter Sunday.
Traditionally, on this Sunday priests can wear pink, excuse me, rose vestments at mass.
The introit that gives the day it's name is from Isaiah 66:10,11 and Psalm 121(122):
"Rejoice, 0 Jerusalem; and gather round, all you who love her;
rejoice in gladness, after having been in sorrow; exult and be
replenished with the consolation flowing from her motherly
bosom. jr. I rejoiced when it was said unto me: "Let us go to the
house of the Lord."
Personally, I'm really fond of todays gradual, or chant between the readings. You will almost never hear it sung outside the old traditional Latin mass (Extraordinary Form) because it the Ordinary Form it's place is usually taken by the Responsorial Psalm from the lectionary for Mass. I happen to like responsorial psalms, I think they were a good idea, but I also really like this chant, it's one of my favorites. It's also taken from Psalm 121(122) and called Laetatus Sum:
"I rejoiced when it was said unto me: "Let us go to the house of
the Lord." ,. Let peace reign within your walls, and abundance in
your towers."
Friday, April 1, 2011
Second Sorrowful Mystery
Today is a First Friday.
Second Sorrowful Mystery
The Scourging at the Pillar
From Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber's "Rosary Sonatas":
Second Sorrowful Mystery
The Scourging at the Pillar
From Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber's "Rosary Sonatas":
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Woman at the Well
Creighton University's Praying Lent
Last Sunday, the readings at Mass included the Gospel of the Samaritan Woman at the Well. Deacon Greg Kandra points us to a a classic folk spiritual that is in keeping with that Sunday's Gospel reading.
Peter, Paul, & Mary:
and here's Mahalia Jackson's version:
Last Sunday, the readings at Mass included the Gospel of the Samaritan Woman at the Well. Deacon Greg Kandra points us to a a classic folk spiritual that is in keeping with that Sunday's Gospel reading.
Peter, Paul, & Mary:
and here's Mahalia Jackson's version:
Friday, March 25, 2011
Feast of the Annunciation
Today is the Feast of the Annunciation
The Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth:
From Biber's Rosary Sonatas, The First Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation
"Inviolata, integra, et casta es Maria"
Today's communion chant: Ecce Virgo Concipiet. From Isaiah 7:14, "Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel."
The Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth:
From Biber's Rosary Sonatas, The First Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation
"Inviolata, integra, et casta es Maria"
Today's communion chant: Ecce Virgo Concipiet. From Isaiah 7:14, "Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel."
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Spiritual Fitness
Karen Marie Knapp's Spiritual Fitness Program for Beginners and the Out-of-Shape:
"Catholic living is very much like weight training: one doesn't start with the big barbell, one starts with the little two-pound handweights and some sit-ups; after some months of work, doing a little more at a time while one's getting strong, one might consider trying the big barbell.
So, I'm going to propose a starter set of spiritual exercises for the out-of-shape, a place to begin...."
Ms. Knapp passed away a few years ago. One can still read her blog here: From the Anchor Hold (" living single, simple, and submitted, in a real city, in a real world. ").
"Catholic living is very much like weight training: one doesn't start with the big barbell, one starts with the little two-pound handweights and some sit-ups; after some months of work, doing a little more at a time while one's getting strong, one might consider trying the big barbell.
So, I'm going to propose a starter set of spiritual exercises for the out-of-shape, a place to begin...."
Ms. Knapp passed away a few years ago. One can still read her blog here: From the Anchor Hold (" living single, simple, and submitted, in a real city, in a real world. ").
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Divine Office Downloads
"We created this download so that any Bible can be used a “short breviary”. The table contains the entire order of the Psalter of the 1962 Roman Breviary for all seven canonical hours of the divine office for all seven days of the week....."
1962 Psalter Chart (pdf)
"We created this download for anyone who wishes to pray the “Before” and “After” Divine Office prayers, but does not have them included within their Breviary...."
Breviary Bookmark
Fuller descriptions, and more downloads, from Churchlatin.com: link.
1962 Psalter Chart (pdf)
"We created this download for anyone who wishes to pray the “Before” and “After” Divine Office prayers, but does not have them included within their Breviary...."
Breviary Bookmark
Fuller descriptions, and more downloads, from Churchlatin.com: link.
Monday, March 21, 2011
A Santa Maria Dadas
From the Cantigas de Santa Maria, a song of praise to the Blessed and Ever Virgin Mary, Mother of God
"A Santa Maria dadas
sejan loores onrradas."
"A Santa Maria dadas
sejan loores onrradas."
Friday, March 18, 2011
Monday, March 14, 2011
Communion Chant for Lent
"Intellege Clamorem Meum", a communion chant for the season of Lent, as found in the Graduale Simplex ( a collection of simpler chants for the Mass).
"Give ear, O Lord, to my words, understand my cry"
Psalm 5:2
"Give ear, O Lord, to my words, understand my cry"
Psalm 5:2
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Ash Wednesday
Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.
Everything you wanted to know about Lent from Aggies Catholics: The Annual Lenten Mega-Post for 2011.
Praying Lent from Creighton University.
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.
From Dom Prosper Guéranger's "The Liturgical Year"
Lent - Preface
Ch. 1 - The History of Lent
Ch. 2 - The Mystery of Lent
Ch. 3 - Practice During Lent
Introit or entrance chant for Ash Wednesday, Misereris Omnium:
Everything you wanted to know about Lent from Aggies Catholics: The Annual Lenten Mega-Post for 2011.
Praying Lent from Creighton University.
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.
From Dom Prosper Guéranger's "The Liturgical Year"
Lent - Preface
Ch. 1 - The History of Lent
Ch. 2 - The Mystery of Lent
Ch. 3 - Practice During Lent
Introit or entrance chant for Ash Wednesday, Misereris Omnium:
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Lent and Self-Denial
Somewhat in contradiction to the previous link, something on Lent which begins tomorrow.
Lent: Why the Christian Must Deny Himself
Lent: Why the Christian Must Deny Himself
Friday, March 4, 2011
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)