Inspired by Truth, Enlightening Minds for the Church in Canada and Throughout the World
Inspired by Truth, Enlightening Minds for the Church in Canada and Throughout the World
On this Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, as we continue the pilgrimage through the Marian theme of Advent, here are a few musical pieces to lift your souls and spirits: Bruckner’s (+1896) Ave Maria: And, just after Bruckner, there was Biebl (+2001) : And Gustav Holst (+1934), of Planets fame, between them:
Javier Milei is the president elect of Argentina, and if all goes according to plan, on December 10, 2023, he will be the fiftieth president of Argentina. The election of Milei presents many firsts for an Argentinian president. He’s the first Argentine president to be an economist and a professor of economics. Interestingly, he has[…]
With Advent beginning, I wanted to share some musical selections for this time of waiting. Some will hopefully be familiar, and others will be unfamiliar but enjoyable nonetheless. The first selection is one that will likely be familiar to all readers. “Veni Veni Emmanuel” is one of the so-called “O Antiphons,” which are traditionally sung[…]
For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem (Lk. 21: 36). The first Sunday of Advent marks the beginning of a new liturgical year, a new year of grace. In the cycle of the sacred liturgy, this is Year A, during which the Sunday Gospel readings will[…]
The nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious (Is. 11:10). The Gospel of the Mass on this second Sunday of Advent introduces us to John the Baptist, the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight His paths’. John the Baptist is one[…]
An Irish bull is a statement that is, strictly speaking, illogical and yet whose meaning is somehow clear. Yogi Berra, a baseball player of another generation, was famous for them, as when he said, “No one goes there anymore; it’s too crowded” and “Always go to other people’s funerals, otherwise they won’t come to yours”[…]
This is a tour de force, of one woman, her violin – Hilary Han is one of the modern greats – and an impressive orchestra and conductor – oh, and a genius composer, whatever his moral failings. The violin concerto in D major was composed in 1878, on the shores of Lake Geneva, as Tschaikovsky[…]
Noah (2014) Directed by Darren Aronofsky Written by Darren Aronofsky, Ari Handel Has there ever been a successful adaptation of an episode from the Bible in a film? Probably not, and for a good reason. The artistic genius of the ancient Jews was primarily literary, not in painting, sculpture or architecture. Hence the scenes described in[…]
“When the Sone of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?” Lk 18:8 Newton’s Prophecy Isaac Newton, who died nearly three centuries ago, was not just one of the greatest scientists in history. He also studied and interpreted the prophetic scriptures. Based on the books of Daniel and Revelation, he calculated that the Jews[…]
There are few – some may argue none – who can match Palestrina’s composition, and his ars perfecta, in full form here with his motet Sicut Cervus, based on Psalm 42, published posthumously in Venice in 1604: Sicut cervus desiderat ad fontes aquarum, ita desiderat anima mea ad te, Deus. As the deer panteth after the[…]
