Voices - singing out, ringing out! ...

Therefore, we, too, extol you with all the Angels,

as in joyful celebration we acclaim:  Holy, holy, holy....

 

Choir of Angels ~ Hans Memling (c. 1433-1494, Netherlands)

“Liturgical action is given a more noble form when sacred rites are solemnized in song, with the assistance of sacred ministers and the active participation of the people.... Choirs must be diligently promoted, but bishops and other pastors must ensure that, whenever the sacred action is to be celebrated with song, the whole body of the faithful may be able to contribute that active participation which is rightfully theirs.... Gregorian chant, other things being equal, should be given pride of place in liturgical services. But other kinds of sacred music, especially polyphony, are by no means excluded.... Religious singing by the people is to be skillfully fostered, so that in devotions and sacred exercises, as also during liturgical services, the voices of the faithful may ring out” (Constitution on the Liturgy, 112-118)

St Cecilia

Martyr ~ Rome

Approx  90-117 AD

Patron of Musicians, Sacred Music

Incorruptible

Feast Day – Nov 22

 St Cecilia ~ Guido Reni

"Words cannot express the things
that are sung by the heart ... And if so happy that words
can no longer express what they feel, 

people discard the restricting syllables. 

They burst out into a simple sound of joy, of jubilation.'"

Well said, St Augustine!

A Village Choir ~ Thomas George Webster (1847)

  Sing praises to the LORD, O you His saints,

and give thanks to His holy Name.  ~ Psalm 30:4

Click here: St. Cecilia - YouTube (2 mins)

St Cecilia, pray for us! 

"Behold the heavenly tabernacle!" ...

The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Feast Day -November 21*

*The Feast celebrates Mary as a temple,

where God dwelt in a special way through her role as Mother of Jesus.

"Go then, go, O Queen of the world, O Mother of God, go joyfully to

the house of God and there await the coming of the divine Spirit

who will make you the Mother of the divine Word." - St Germanus (+ 730)

 

From the Byzantine liturgy:

 "The most pure temple of the Savior, His most precious bridal chamber, the Virgin, sacred treasury of God's glory, enters today into the house of the Lord, bringing with her the grace of the divine Spirit.  Wherefore the angels of God are singing: "Behold the heavenly tabernacle!" ... Wherefore let us cry out to her with all our strength: "Joy to you, fulfillment of the Creator's plan!" At the moment when the young girl Mary was presented in the glorious Temple, "everything that humans build was already diminished by the praise in her heart." (Rilke)

 

"God Himself, with the whole heavenly court, 
was greatly pleased and glorified the day when He beheld His spouse being led 
to the Temple.  Never had He seen a holier creature, 
nor one whom He loved so tenderly, come to offer herself to Him."
- Bernardine de Bustis (+1515)

"Hail, Holy throne of God, divine sanctuary, house of glory, jewel most fair, chosen treasure house, and mercy seat for the whole world, heaven showing forth the glory of God.  Purest Virgin, worthy of all praise, sanctuary dedicated to God and raised above all human condition, virgin soil, unplowed field, flourishing vine, fountain pouring out waters, virgin bearing a child, mother without knowing man, hidden treasure of innocence, ornament of sanctity, by your most acceptable prayers, strong with the authority of mother hood, to our Lord and God, Creator of all, your Son who was born of you without a father, steer the ship of the Church and bring it to a quiet harbor." - St Germanus, homily on the Presentation of Mary 

 
"Hers was the happiness of first bearing in her womb
 Him whom she would obey as her master." - St Augustine

Click here: Presentation of Mary - YouTube (2 mins)

various works of art depicting Presentation of Mary + Hail Mary sung

Click here: The Presentation of Mary - YouTube (2 mins)

Click here: Catholic Fire: The Feast of the Presentation of Mary

May times of refreshing come...

Repent therefore, and turn again,

that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing

may come from the presence of the Lord. – Acts 3:19

"I look and look, and turn to look again

at the consecrated Host; its whiteness dazzles me;

its brilliant rays wound my soul to its utmost depths

by revealing to me all its defects and deformities. ...

Who can think himself humble in the presence of Him

who is hidden under the form of bread? ...

Oh, my Lord! In your presence,

I ought to feel nought but shame,

and a deep sense of my utter worthlessness;

but I also feel a great love for You ...

which purifies and transforms me,

and takes me far away from this earth,

to the purest of Hosts, the very abode of Love."

Servant of God Concepcion Cabrera de Armida

  Photo Image:  Fr Gabriel, Canon Regular of St Augustine, Australia

Holy Confessions beget holy Communions...

"Our misery caused Him to stoop to our lowness.  Even our sins

had a sort of attraction for the abundance of His mercy

and the predilection of His grace.  Our repentance wins Him to us. 

Our love makes earth a paradise to Him..."  - Fr Frederick W Faber

Attitude of gratitude...

"It's 'Heaven Begun' for the grateful on earth." - Bl Solanus Casey

"What does it matter where we go?
Wherever we go, won't we be serving God there?
And wherever we go, won't we have our Lord
in the Blessed Sacrament with us?
Isn't that enough to make us happy?

Bl Solanus Casey

11/25/1870-07/31/1957
Nee Wisconsin

Capuchian Friar

Generous heart toward sick and poor

Many miracles of healing attributed to his intercession

Known for "Attitude of Gratitude"

Book he authored: Thank God ahead of Time

Beatified 11/18/17, Detroit

 "Thank God ahead of time." - Bl Solanus Casey
Who is Blessed Fr Solanus Casey? - YouTube (10 mins)
Blessed Solanus Casey – Rite of Beatification on Vimeo

Bl Solanus, pray for us!

Painting: Palm Sunday Mass, Zdzislaw Jasinski (1891)