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

"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)

Audio Book:  The life and martyrdom of St Cecilia

https://youtu.be/x2rymmaAvV8

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 

 

"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

Awesome is the altar...

   "Awesome is the altar on which the divine victim 

is immolated! From paradise there went forth a spring 

whose visible waters spread out on every side.  

From this Table, it is a spring of spiritual waters 

that gushes forth." - St John Chrysostom

...so everything will live where the river flows. - Ezekiel 47:9

 

"Everything

flows from the altar 

- everything!"

 

 Bishop Paul V Dudley

Ordained to Holy Priesthood: June 1951
Ordained as Bishop: January 1977
11-29-1926 ~ 11-20-2006

(19th Anniversary of entrance into eternal life)

Picture above:  Padre Paulo Ricardo reverences the altar

"The Body of Christ (Eucharist) will 

unite the Body of Christ (Believers). "

Bishop Paul V Dudley

Requiescat in pace

Established by Christ- to strengthen...

 "...and lo, I am with you always, 

to the close of the age."  - Matt 28:20b

"We are not alone in our faith.  We are members of 

the Church, the Mystical Body, the kingdom of God 

here on earth. We are members of the Church through 

baptism - the sacrament of the life of faith - and it is in 

and through the Church that Christ has given us the 

means to strengthen our faith:  His sacraments.  

They were the means established by Christ precisely 

to strengthen the faith of His followers. 

If we are serious about preserving our faith, 

we must surely make use of them - especially 

the sacrament of penance, our means of peace 

and of reconciliation with God, and the Mass 

and the sacrament of the Eucharist."

Servant of God Walter J Ciszek, SJ (+1984) 

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

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

______________________

Remembering today also:

"We cultivate a very small field for Christ.  But we love it,

knowing that God does not require great achievements, 

but a heart that holds back nothing for self."

St Rose Philippine Duchesne

"Woman-who-prays-always" 

(name given her by Potawatomi Indians)

Feast day:  November 18th

St Rose Philippine Duchesne, pray for us!