Catholic Fire

1. Valentine's Day -- Here are the cards we shared with one another. Bill's is on the left and mine is on the right. 2. We decided rather than go out to eat in.  Here is what I prepared for our Valentine's Day meal: shrimp cocktail,  keta salmon with a tasty rub, asparagus, and baked potatoes. It is so easy to prepare and super healthy as well as delicious. 3.  Here is my Valentine's Day gift from Bill -- a diffuser which is so relaxing at bedtime. I combine lavender essential oils with absolute rose and it produces a heavenly scent! 4. What have you been reading this Lent? Here is what has been on my night stand: The Autobiography of Dina Belanger (a French-Canadian Blessed), The Lenten Magnificat, Magnificat Year of Mercy Companion, and The Word Among Us -- Lent 2016. I am really enjoying reading about Blessed Dina, but am taking my time reading this volume, as there is much to savor here. 5. Lenten music -- For Lent, I tend ...

When I heard the beautiful voices on Songs for the Eucharist Ancient and New  for the first time, I immediately fell in love with them.  Their music is so refined that I thought that I must be listening to the chanting of cloistered nuns who have sung together daily for years, rather than a choir of young Catholic lay women who had been singing together for less than one year. The Schola Cantorum of Holy Family is just that impressive. Background  In December of 2012, Bishop Lawrence E. Brandt of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Greensburg, Pennsylvania, announced that there would be a weekly celebration of the Eucharist in the Extraordinary Form at Holy Family Parish in the city of Latrobe, with Father Daniel C. Mahoney, V.F., Pastor of Holy Family Church as his representative, and Father Ronald L. Cyktor, Jr. his assistant. Under their leadership, the Schola Cantorum of Holy Family was formed and began singing at the weekly Solemn High Mass on the First Sunday of Le...

I have 2 Mater Eucharistiae CD's t o give away, courtesy of Carmel Communications: Here's the scoop on the CD's: The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, are well-known for their Dominic spirituality, teaching missions across the country and publicity from numerous national media outlets. Now, they have entered the realm of music with the release of their first album, MATER EUCHARISTIAE, with Decca Record Label and De Montfort Music . The 15-track album, recorded live from the sisters’ chapel in Ann Arbor, Michigan, features songs in both English and Latin, and includes ancient chants, polyphony and original compositions. Some pieces are accompanied by the organ, trumpet and chimes, while others are sung a capella. The album is produced by the 2013 Grammy Award-winning Classical Producer of the Year, Blanton Alspaugh. Track Listing: 1. Holy Mary Mother of God 2. Jesu Dulcis Memoria 3. Te Deum 4. O Gloriosa Virginum 5. Ave Maria To Thee ...

Catholic recording artist Matt Maher shows how he mixes his faith with his music. Read more.

by André Rieu and Mirusia:

Go behind the scenes for the "making of" the debut recording entitled Mater Eucharistiae. This is just beautiful! Pre-order music now at: http://sistersofmary.org http://demontfortmusic.com

I would love to see this act come to our Catholic Family Conference in Wichita next year!  Array of Hope delivers an opportunity for Catholic families to encounter Jesus Christ through faith, worship and witness ATLANTA, May 28, 2013 – In November of 2012, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops released its strategic plan for 2013-2016 titled “The New Evangelization/Journey With Christ: Faith-Worship-Witness.”  In it, the Bishops are exhorting US Catholics to encounter Christ more fully through greater participation in a community that focuses on marriage, the family and the life and dignity of the human person. One of the means to engage the family is an experience that invites and reaches the whole family regardless of age. Te Deum Ministries has created a singular solution to how a diocese or parish can engage the entire family to participate in the community life of the Catholic Church and “engage and motivate a broad cross-section of Catholics.” Through ARRAY ...

17-track album from Benedictines of Mary in stores/online today Atlanta, GA, May 7, 2013 – The awe-inspiring music of ANGELS AND SAINTS AT EPHESUS , the highly anticipated CD from the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, is available today from De Montfort Music/Decca. This follow-up to last year’s number one hit ADVENT AT EPHESUS is a year-round collection featuring 17 English and Latin pieces sung a cappella for the feasts of the holy Saints and angels. Recorded once again at their Priory in the heartland of America, this new album, also available for digital download, is a dynamic yet pure fusion of their contemplative sound. “We are truly excited that ANGELS AND SAINTS AT EPHESUS is available today,” De Montfort Music co-founder Monica Fitzgibbons said.  “This is a classic must-have recording for any collection of music, and an opportunity to experience the Heavenly sounds emanating from these holy hearts of the Benedictines of Mary whose singing sparks a heightene...

~ Via mysaviormygod .

  John Michael Talbot is on his way here and I can hardly wait! In this video clip, he speaks about the change in ministry models he'll be trying out in the coming months.

Out from the Depths, I Cry to You O Lord... ~ Via Catholiques1.

This is a must see video, filled with holy and heavenly images! The music is divine! Anima Christi (Soul of Christ) a beautiful prayer, often said after receiving Communion, dates from the early 14th century. Anima Christi, sanctifica me. Corpus Christi, salva me. Sanguis Christi, inebria me. Aqua lateris Christi, lava me. Passio Christi, conforta me. O bone Jesu, exaudi me. Intra tua vulnera absconde me. Ne permittas me separari a te. Ab hoste maligno defende me. In hora mortis meae voca me. Et iube me venire ad te, Ut cum Sanctis tuis laudem te. In saecula saeculorum. Amen ~~~ Soul of Christ, sanctify me Body of Christ, save me Blood of Christ, inebriate me (refresh me) Water from the side of Christ, wash me Passion of Christ, strengthen me O good Jesus, hear me Within Thy wounds hide me Separated from Thee let me never be From the malicious enemy defend me (from the malignant enemy defend me) In the hour of my death call me And bid me come unto Thee That I may praise Thee with T...

The Marian Anthems are sung primarily by Roman Catholics particularly in Religious communities after Compline. Traditionally, they were/are also said after Lauds, and after each Hour when sung in choir, if the choir was then to disperse. One of the earliest Marian compositions is the popular Salve Regina in Latin from a Benedictine monk, which exists in several Gregorian versions. The liturgy of the hour includes several offices to be sung. At the close of the Office, one of four Marian antiphons is sung. These songs, Alma Redemptoris Mater Ave Regina caelorum, Regina caeli, and Salve Regina, have been described as "among the most beautiful creations of the late Middle Ages. ~ Via Catholiques1.

The Priests are like a soothing balm for my soul. I watched them on EWTN tonight and was so uplifted by their glorious music. Thank you, Lord!

The famous Lenten hymn "Attende Domine" is the cry of the sinner who calls unto God to receive his mercy. A monument of the liturgy of the Catholic Church. ATTENDE DOMINE (Penitential Chant) Hear us, O Lord, and have mercy, because we have sinned against Thee. Hear us, O Lord, and have mercy, because we have sinned against Thee. To Thee, highest King, Redeemer of all, do we lift up our eyes in weeping: Hear, O Christ, the prayers of your servants. Hear us, O Lord, and have mercy, because we have sinned against Thee. Right hand of the Father, corner-stone, way of salvation, gate of heaven,wash away our stains of sin. Hear us, O Lord, and have mercy, because we have sinned against Thee. We beseech Thee, God, in Thy great majesty: Hear our groans with Thy holy ears: calmly forgive our crimes. Hear us, O Lord, and have mercy, because we have sinned against Thee. To Thee we confess our sins admitted with a contrite heart We reveal the things hidden: By Thy kindness, O Redeemer, ov...

Fantasia Performed by Eric Genuis Fantasia is Performed by Eric Genuis and the clip is taken from the full concert featured on the PASSON DVD produced by Valiant Productions. A Catholic Composer to Watch... Eric Genuis is a composer, performer, and conductor on a mission to save the culture from the destructive effects of bad music. Like the philosophers of ancient Greece, Genuis believes music shapes our character, and worries that "young people are damaged by popular music before they become adults." His solution is to make good music and to get people into concert halls to hear him perform it live. Genuis, now 41, was raised in Toronto, but his parents are from Malta, having immigrated to Canada after World War II. He studied music, along with physics and math, at the Royal Conservatory of Music, University of Toronto, where in addition to composing and music history, he paid particular attention to the effect of music on modern culture. Read more at Inside Catholic.

A Song of Ascents. -My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth-. 1I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From where shall my help come? 2My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. 3He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber. 4Behold, He who keeps Israel Will neither slumber nor sleep. 5The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade on your right hand. 6The sun will not smite you by day, Nor the moon by night. 7The LORD will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul. 8The LORD will guard your going out and your coming in From this time forth and forever. Released 1995 A collection of Twelve Psalms, Six Canticles and Six Chants in English, Latin and Greek sung by John Michael Talbot and the Monks of Little Portion Hermitage

Heavenly Voices!

A new musical trio called The Priests, who really are Catholic priests, have signed with Sony BMG and are currently recording an album of classic hymns from the Latin Mass. They have heavenly voices! Check them out on the videos below. The Priests sign to SonyBmg on April 23, and are set to record an album due for release Nov 08. The Priests recently visited The Vatican to discuss songs for their new album with Monsignor Pablo Colino. The Priests rehearse in the studio in Ireland, as they prepare to record their album. Learn more about the Priests on their website at http://www.thepriests.com

I received this from my email today: I wanted to let you know about a new online feature for the summer that is available on Disciples Now , a site and resource for Catholic teens on the Web. The special section is called Songs in the Key of Justice (SITKOJ), a music and social service site all about issues of advocacy, social justice and the many summer service opportunities that are available for teens this summer. SITKOJ is offering free weekly downloads of songs from well known Catholic pop/rock bands whose music embodies spirit of social service. These songs can be accessed simply by registering on the site and feature artists such as Ceili Rain, Last Day, John Angotti and the Christian band Poor Rich Folk , which recorded and wrote an original song exclusively for the site. Teens can also download free SITKOJ wallpaper, AIM and MSN instant message icons, as well a badge for their blogs, MySpace page or personal Web sites. They can purchase related SITKOJ merchandise (T-shits, m...