Miss Kelly

Help a Doctoral Student - Take the Rosary Survey!

I found this in a comment on this earlier blogpost, sounds intriguing:

Are you Catholic and over the age of 18? Have you said the Rosary Prayer at least once in the past year? If so, please take part in an anonymous research study online that examines the place of the Rosary Prayer in Catholic individuals’ lives. To participate in this doctoral research study, click the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/rosaryprayer Participation is anonymous and free of charge.

 

"Gregorian Music Led Me to Christ" says Former Hindu

This is a terrific conversion story:

"Towering at 6 ft 3 in (191 cm), Gaurav literally looks down on people. This young Gujarati convert was captivated by Christian music of the Renaissance era, and choral music awakened in him a quest for beauty. "

“....'The beauty of sacred music held me spellbound at my first ever experience of the Eucharist at St Xavier’s College, Mumbai on 15 August, Indian Independence Day and the Feast of the Assumption. The sublime music of the Mass undoubtedly assured me of God's presence; the Gregorian chants elevated my spirits, creating in me a sense of awe for the Sacred. I was instinctively drawn by the aesthetic beauty of the Eucharist and this experience filled my heart with immense joy.' ”

Read it, you will enjoy it and be inspired too!

Lent Begins!

I love the season of Lent, it's about the only Christian holy day(s) that Madison Avenue hasn't commercialized.  OK, well it's a little bit commercialized, as seen by these Ash Wednesday T-shirts at Zazzle: 

   

I hope that my Catholic readers - and the growing numbers of other Christians who observe Lent - have a holy and fruitful Lenten season.  It's a time (46 days, to be exact) that we are called to fast, to give alms and to pray.  Father Jack has suggestions here for Lenten practices.

The Archdiocese of Boston has a terrific program underway this Lent called "The Light Is On For You," aimed at bringing more Catholics back to confession.  At every church in the Boston Archdiocese, confession will be offered every Wednesday during Lent (except for Ash Wednesday tomorrow) from 6:30 PM to 8 PM.   Many churches are combining this with prayer services and Eucharistic adoration.  Sounds very cool, we are fortunate to have this Sacrament.

If you're a little rusty on confessing your sins, you can refresh your memory here. Lots more useful links here. Go confess your sins!  You'll feel so great afterwards!

Have a Blessed Advent

Advent begins todays, and our liturgical year starts anew. May you have a blessed and holy Advent!  Inspiring writings at The Anchoress, Happy Catholic and First Things.  Thanks to the Curt Jester for the Advent candle.  The waiting begins.... 

Veni Creator Spiritus

Pentecost Sunday - commemorating when the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus' followers (painting by Titian, ~1545):

 

The gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, fear of the Lord.  The biblical origin of the seven gifts is found in Isaiah (11:1-3), where Isaiah describes the qualities of the Messiah. More on Pentecost and the gifts of the Holy Spirit here at EWTN.

Marian Prayer Services in Boston, Lowell

FYI, there are two Marian prayer services I know about next week, one in Boston and one in Lowell.  Nice opportunity to pay special respects to Mary during her month of May, and with very pretty hymns too!  Both are free and open to the public. 

Monday, May 4th, 7 PM - St. Margaret's Church, Lowell, MA. 

The Blessed Virgin Sodality of St. Margaret's Parish in Lowell is holding a Spring Rosary and Prayer Hour on Monday,  May 4th at 7 PM.  The prayer hour will include reciting the rosary, the Magnificat, chanting the Litany of Loreto and singing Marian hymns.  All are invited to join us in this traditional prayer service honoring Mary.  Refreshments will be served afterwards.  The address is 374 Stevens Street, Lowell, MA, in the Our Lady of Lourdes chapel  (downstairs) .  For more information, please contact the St. Margaret's parish rectory at 978-454-5143.    

Thursday, May 7th, 7 PM - St. Clements Shrine,  Boston

From their blog: The 1st Thursday Women’s Prayer Group is hosting the May Dedication to Mary Crowning Ceremony in lieu of the regular May prayer group and we hope you will be able to join us for this very special event!   We will begin with praying the rosary then have the crowning ceremony. Refreshments will be served afterward. You are invited to bring a flower to place before the Blessed Mother. All are welcome! 

 

Lectures/Concerts/Special Masses Coming Up!

There's a lot of great lectures, concerts and special masses coming up this Lenten season, take advantage of these!

Friday, March 20, 2009 -  "The Restoration of Gregorian Chant in the 20th Century," lecture by Sam Schmitt, Ph.D., Friday, 8pm to 9pm, Humanities Room at Thomas More College.  And while you're thinking about plain chant, enjoy this!

Sunday, March 22, 2009 - Seraphim Singers concert at the Mission Church in Boston,  1545 Tremont Street on Mission Hill, 4:00pm, with special guests,  The Boston Boy Choir.  I've heard both choirs and they are truly wonderful!   Jennifer Lester is conductor of the Seraphim Singers.  Selections include: BACH Jesu, Meine Freude, BRAHMS O Heiland Reis, GYGER Wie Schön, DISTLER Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, and a commissioned work by SAWYER.   Suggested donation, $20.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009 - Sung Latin mass as the St. Francis Chapel at the Prudential mall (really), to celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation, 7 PM.  I'm sure it will be wonderful also.

Sunday, March 29, 2009 - 5th Annual GOSPEL BRUNCH at St. Clements Shrine in Boston (1105 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02215), featuring the Joyful Voices of Inspiration Gospel Choir.  Time is 12-2 PM, after the 11 AM mass. Tickets $20 for adults, $10 for children, fundraiser for the Oblates of the Virgin Mary Seminarian Scholarship Fund.

 

Gil Bailie - "Inspiring a Whole-Hearted Faith in a Half-Hearted World"

Noted Catholic layman, author and lecturer Gil Bailie is back in Cambirdge to continue the Emmaus Road Initiative lecture series at S. Peter's Church.

Monday, March 16, 7 to 9 PM; St. Peter's Church, 100 Concord Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138. 

Lecture topic:  Why did it take the Resurrection to save us?

"Emmaus Road in Cambridge.   In a collaborative effort, St. Paul’s, St, Peter’s and St John the Evangelist join together to host a series of monthly workshops over the next year called The Emmaus Road Initiative, Inspiring a Wholehearted Faith in a Halfhearted Age."

"Drawing on the theological tradition for which Benedict XVI is today’s preeminent exponent as well as on René Girard’s extraordinary insights into the anthropological and cultural uniqueness of Christianity, the Emmaus Road Initiative is an effort to bring 'the truly most exciting part of Christian faith' to bear on the challenges facing the Christian vocation in our time."

If you can use some more inspiration during Lent and want to hear provocative, challenging ideas, come to Gil Bailie's lecture at St. Peter's tomorrow.  

Map & Directions - For more information: Jill Fallon: (781) 777-2067

Lectures: Reclaiming Catholic Spiritual Traditions / Abortion as a Feminst Issue

There's a number of excellent lectures in the Boston area this week, per The Pilot:

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Spiritual Traditions Lecture, Brighton -- Boston College's School of Theology and Ministry and its Church in the 21st Century Center are hosting a lecture tonight from 7-9 p.m., entitled "Old Gold: Reclaiming Some Traditional Spiritual Practices." Boston College's Theology Professor Thomas Groome will be leading the lecture on BC's Lower Campus in Corcoran Commons' Heights Room. This workshop of presentation and conversation intends to help reclaim some "old gold" in spiritual practices from the faith of our mothers and fathers that have been neglected and to learn from them on our own spiritual journeys. For more information call 617-552-6501 or visit www.bc.edu/stmce.

Sounds like an excellent lecture for Lent, when we are called to more prayer and reflection.

Wednesday, March 10 and Thursday, March 11, 2009

"The Feminist Case Against Abortion" Lecture, Cambridge -- Harvard Law School is hosting Serrin M. Foster, president of Feminists for Life, for her presentation of "The Feminist Case Against Abortion" at 7 p.m. in Pound Hall, Room 201 (Oops, that was yesterday, March 9). Recognized as one of the "Great Speeches in History" in an anthology on Women's Rights, Foster's landmark speech aims to further its nationwide revolution on campuses to educate students at highest risk of abortion about the nation's rich pro-life feminist heritage and to redirect the debate toward woman-centered solutions. Foster has led the organization since 1994, helping to produce the groundbreaking legislation The Elizabeth Cady Stanton Pregnant and Parenting Student Services Act that puts into hyper-drive new pro-woman solutions on college campuses.

Fat Tuesday Followed by Ash Wednesday

Today is Fat Tuesday, which nowadays means much revelry and partying, but in the olden days, it referred to using up the dairy and fats in your house before fasting for Lent.   Lent can be a pwoerul wonderful season.  Luckily, marketers haven't figured out a way to capitalize on abstinence, almsgiving, confession and such.  So we're free to dwell on our mortality and salvation, devote ourselves to prayer, and reconcile ourselves with God without annoying music blaring in stores or a barrage of advertising.  A blessing, it is, having this religious season be ignored by the market.

So what's it gonna be for you this Lent?  Giving up on sweets, alcohol, smoking, gossip?  Devoting time every day to prayer, the rosary, Eucharistic Adoration or reading the Bible?  What will you give up so you can spend that money on a terrific charity?  (Speaking about the rosary, The Anchoress has a nice "weird" blogpost on that here.) Many opportunities in Lent, get ready!   And it's not just a Catholic thing either.

Still Life Inspires "O Magnum Mysterium"

More of an Advent article than a Lenten one....Composer Morten Lauridsen explains how a 17th century still life inspired his musical composition of O Magnum Mysterium, in the Wall Street Journal of all places!

 

Excerpts:

"Francisco de Zurbarán's 'Still Life With Lemons, Oranges and a Rose' normally hangs on a back wall of one of the smaller rooms in the Norton Simon Museum of Art in Pasadena. Like a large black magnet, it draws its viewers from the entry into its space and deep into its mystical world.... The painting projects an aura of mystery, powerful in its unadorned simplicity, its mystical quality creating an atmosphere of deep contemplation. Its effect is immediate, transcendent and overpowering. Before it one tends to speak in hushed tones, if at all."

"...But it is much more than a still life."

Upcoming Lecture - "Inspiring a Whole-Hearted Faith in a Half-Hearted Age"

Noted Catholic layman, author and lecturer Gil Bailie is back to continue the Emmaus Road Initiative lecture series at S. Peter's Church in Cambridge, MA.

Date:  Monday, January 19, 7 to 9 PM.  Lecture topic:  Why did it take the Incarnation to save us?

"Emmaus Road in Cambridge.   In a collaborative effort, St. Paul’s, St, Peter’s and St John the Evangelist join together to host a series of monthly workshops over the next year called The Emmaus Road Initiative, Inspiring a Wholehearted Faith in a Halfhearted Age."

"Drawing on the theological tradition for which Benedict XVI is today’s preeminent exponent as well as on René Girard’s extraordinary insights into the anthropological and cultural uniqueness of Christianity, the Emmaus Road Initiative is an effort to bring 'the truly most exciting part of Christian faith' to bear on the challenges facing the Christian vocation in our time."

If you need some post-Christmas inspiration and want to hear provocative, challenging ideas, come to Gil Bailie's lecture at St. Peter's next Monday. 

"Agnus Dei, Qui Tollis Peccata Mundi, Miserere Nobis..."

I was pleasantly surprised at my church a few weeks back when the cantor chanted the Agnus Dei after the eucharistic bread was consecrated.  Chanting Latin in a "normal" Post Vatican II Novus Ordo mass?!   But there is was, all reverent and sacred and stark:

"Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccati mundi, miserere nobis.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccati mundi, miserere nobis.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccati mundi, dona nobis pacem."

Which translates as "Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.  Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant us peace."  Gregorian chant is simultaneously pure, simple and transcendent.  It takes you to a sacred place, unlike much of the sing-song responses and modern "hymns" we're singing these days. Sigh.

Vote and Pray!

No sitting this one out, no matter what state you live in.

Vote, and pray, and pray, and pray. Pray without ceasing!

And read this to keep your spirits up!

Nonstop Bible Reading in Rome

Saw this at National Review Online:

"...It’s a livestream of an event in Rome, sponsored by the Pope, in which they’re reading the entire Bible out loud. Kudos to the Vatican for doing this; it’s part of the kickoff for a Synod of Bishops focusing on the role of the Bible in the Church."

In Italian, natch.  Beautiful music, check it out.

More info from Martha's Italy Travel Blog:

"If you're in Rome and wondering why there are suddenly huge crowds at Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, it's because there's a one week nonstop reading of the Bible interspersed with religious music, according to the Canadian Press. Yesterday the Pope started the reading from the Vatican. Readers who continued at Santa Croce included Roberto Benigni, known for his movie Life is Beautiful. Other Italian celebrities will participate for a total of about 1200 readers that includes Catholics and people of other faiths. Their plan is to read all 73 books of the Catholic Bible."

Pope Benedict keeps doing wonderful things.

“The word of God will enter the homes and accompany the lives of families and individual people,” Benedict said of the program after his traditional blessing Sunday. “If welcomed, this seed will not fail to bring abundant fruits.”

Reminder: Magnificat Pilgrimage at Boston, Oct 11-12

Don't forget, there's a wonderful pilgrimage at Boston over Columbus  Day weekend. The Pilot had a lengthy article about the Magnificat event, which you can read here.  There's going to be a beautiful concert on Saturday at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. : 

"That evening there will be a concert of sacred music performed by Boston’s Seraphim Singers. The concert will trace the evolution of the Magnificat, Mary’s canticle of praise and thanksgiving, with reflections on its phrases and a slideshow of Christian art."

' “It’s going to be a real experience of beauty, saturating all the senses, drawing us into the prayer of Mary herself -- a fundamental prayer of Christians and the inspiration for the very name of Magnificat the publication' said Father Barron."

More concert details: "Boston’s Seraphim Singers, Musica Sacra, and the Orchestra of Emmanuel Music will perform selections from Gregorian chant and sacred polyphony, concluding with Bach’s Magnificat in D."

Wouldn't miss it for the world.  This will be a memorable, inspirational event.  They've got a jam-packed program of lectures, musical offerings, masses, a Eucharistic adoration chapel, confession, and more.

"The final event is the closing Mass (Sunday, Oct 12), held at 2 p.m., which is free and open to all. Anyone who wishes to attend can arrive at the Convention Center as early as 1:30 p.m."

Please attend and help bring back authentic, reverent Catholic worship!

Prayer and Rosary Tonight at Lowell Lourdes Grotto

Prayer and rosary to be held tonight at Grotto of our Lady of Lourdes in Lowell, MA.  This full-size replica of the Lourdes, France grotto was built in 1911.  Jack Kerouac describes going to the Lowell grotto with his deeply religious mother when he was a young boy.  Pope Benedict visited the Lourdes Grotto in France earlier this month, which celebrated its 150th anniversary of the appearance of the Virgin Mary to the peasant girl Bernadette.  The Pope celebrated an open air mass for the sick and afflicted on the final day of his four-day visit which attracted 150,000 people.  Back to Lowell's program this evening:

"LOWELL -- In conjunction with its 100th anniversary, the Franco American School, 357 Pawtucket St., will conduct an evening of prayer tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. at the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, located behind the school. The service marks the 150th anniversary of the Blessed Mother's apparition to St. Bernadette in Lourdes, France. Bring a rosary and a lawn chair. In case of rain, the service will be held in the school chapel."

The Grotto was built in the grounds of an orphanage built for French children, which was in use until 1963.

"The goal was to give the poor orphans an idea of their heavenly mother, while forgetting as much as possible that they no longer had one here on earth."

Tonight is the second in a monthly novena being held there.  Good pics of the Lowell grotto here.

"A Time to Weep and a Time to Laugh"

A family member died recently after a protracted illness.  The last two weeks were difficult to bear, although in retrospect, I'm glad this beloved person didn't die suddenly.  We had time to get used to the idea that he was truly dying. We had time to love him and take care of him, as best we could.  There wasn't much we could do, but we did sit with him, hold his hand, and give him a sponge to suck on when he periodically came out of his coma, thirsty and hungry. 

When the family was planning his funeral, several siblings wanted a "celebratory" funeral, one which focused on the wonderful life he had led, one which would make people smile and feel happy for him, certain he was going to heaven.  I was something of a killjoy at this notion.  I wanted everyone to be bawling their eyes out at the funeral. As  Ecclesiastes  3:1-8 says, "There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under heaven.  A time to be born, and a time to die....a time to weep, and a time to laugh."   How is it that even many Catholics don't know anymore that a funeral is to pray for the repose of the departed, to help him get into heaven?  Funerals are not a time to put on a happy face, which seems a peculiarly American thing to do. Funerals are one of the few times we are allowed to publicly express our grief and sadness, no need to squash and hide the anguish we feel in our hearts.   

A few of my favorite bloggers (Jill at Estate Vaults, Elena Marie at Tea at Trianon)  linked to these articles about mourning over at Roman Christendom and at St. Mary Magdalen.  Both are facinating pieces, covering traditonal mourning practices from earlier days and a discussing the psychological impacts of not being allowed to mourn.  We would do well to bring back these traditions and understanding of funerals:  "It is a holy and wholesome thing to pray for the dead that they may be loosed from their sins" (2 Macab. 12:46). Indeed.

Reminder- Pilgrimage of Hope, Magnificat at Boston

Save the date, October 11 to 12, 2008 (Columbus Day weekend) for Pilgrimage of Hope.  Sounds like it will be a terrific, inspiring, uplifting weekend, with beautiful musical to boot!  From the Magnificat website:

"The Pilgrimage of Hope is a spiritual journey toward Christ for all Catholics, and all who desire to experience more deeply the beauty and richness of the Christian tradition.  The two-day event, which takes place in Boston this October 11-12, will feature prayer, Mass, confessions, speakers, brunch, and various musical offerings." 

"We are expecting Cardinals, Archbishops, bishops, priests, deacons and religious from around the world, as well as thousands of lay men and women who pray with Magnificat every day! We have great speakers in the line-up, including Fr. Peter Cameron, Ralph Martin, Douglas Bushman, and over a dozen more!" 

The specialized sessions on Saturday afternoon are listed here. The musical concert for Saturday sounds beautiful.  No doubt we will be treated to gorgeous, transcendent music:

"This concert of sacred music, presented with prayerful reflections and historical explanation, traces the evolution in song of Mary’s canticle of praise and thanksgiving. Boston’s Seraphim Singers will perform selections from Gregorian chant and sacred polyphony, concluding with Bach’s Magnificat in D."

You can attend the concert only for $20 in advance, or $25 at the door. Good deal!

Pilgrimage pass: $199 for the weekend, $125 for one day.

"Inspiring a Wholehearted Faith in a Haflhearted Age"

FYI, great opportunity for Catholics to grow deeper in their faith. From my friend Jill of Estate Vaults/The Business of Life, an announcement of a lecture series held in Cambridge MA starting next Monday:

Emmaus Road in Cambridge.   In a collaborative effort, St. Paul’s, St, Peter’s and St John the Evangelist join together to host a series of monthly workshops over the next year called The Emmaus Road Initiative, Inspiring a Wholehearted Faith in a Halfhearted Age.
 

Drawing on the theological tradition for which Benedict XVI is today’s preeminent exponent as well as on René Girard’s extraordinary insights into the anthropological and cultural uniqueness of Christianity, the Emmaus Road Initiative is an effort to bring “the truly most exciting part of Christian faith” to bear on the challenges facing the Christian vocation in our time.

Lead by noted Catholic layman, author and lecturer Gil Bailie, the first workshop entitled The Present Time –  Beyond Optimism to Hope  begins Monday evening September 15 from 7 to 9 pm in DiGiovanni Hall, St. Paul’s Church, 29 Mt. Auburn St, Cambridge. 

The workshops are free.  The full schedule can be viewed at http://www.test-cornerstone.org/VENUES/Cambridge.html where you can also sign up for email reminders.