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:

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."

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. ").

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.

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."

First Sorrowful Mystery

From Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber's "Rosary Sonatas":

The First Sorroful Mystery

The Agony in the Garden

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

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:

Lent and Self-Denial

Somewhat in contradiction to the previous link, something on Lent which begins tomorrow.

Lent: Why the Christian Must Deny Himself

D.I.Y. Pop Tarts

From the L.A. Times:
How to Make Your Own Pop Tarts

D.I.Y. Wallet

How to make a leather wallet, from Art of Manliness.

The Jasmine

Savina Yannatou sings "To Yasemi" (The Jasmine), with Primavera en Salonico

Waters of March

"Águas de Março" with Tom Jobim and Elis Regina