Catholic Fire

September 3 is the memorial of Pope St. Gregory the Great (540 - 604), Father and Doctor of the Church. St. Gregory was born in Rome, the son of a wealthy Roman Senator. His mother was St. Sylvia. He followed the career of public service that was usual for the son of an aristocratic family, becoming Prefect of the City of Rome, but resigned within a year to pursue monastic life. He founded with the help of his vast financial holdings seven monasteries, six of which were on family estates in Sicily. A seventh, which he placed under the patronage of St. Andrew and which he himself joined, was erected on the Clivus Scauri in Rome. For several years, he lived as a good and holy Benedictine monk. Then Pope Pelagius made him one of the seven deacons of Rome. For six years, he served as permanent ambassador to the Court of Byzantium. In the year 586, he was recalled to Rome, and with great joy returned to St. Andrew's Monastery. He became abbot soon afterwards and the monastery ...

Today is the memorial of St. Gregory the Great (540 - 604). St. Gregory was born in Rome, the son of a wealthy Roman Senator. His mother was St. Sylvia. He followed the career of public service that was usual for the son of an aristocratic family, becoming Prefect of the City of Rome, but resigned within a year to pursue monastic life. He founded with the help of his vast financial holdings seven monasteries, six of which were on family estates in Sicily. A seventh, which he placed under the patronage of St. Andrew and which he himself joined, was erected on the Clivus Scauri in Rome. For several years, he lived as a good and holy Benedictine monk. Then Pope Pelagius made him one of the seven deacons of Rome. For six years, he served as permanent ambassador to the Court of Byzantium. In the year 586, he was recalled to Rome, and with great joy returned to St. Andrew's Monastery. He became abbot soon afterwards and the monastery grew famous under his energetic rule. When...

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...

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

The angelic voices of the Cistercian nuns from Mount Saint Mary’s Abbey in Massachusetts whose music I reviewed for the Christmas Season have returned in a new album entitled To Pray in Beauty:  Gregorian Chant, Ever Ancient, Ever New.  There is an abundance of exquisite beauty and splendor emanating from the voices of these cloistered nuns as they sing this glorious collection of Gregorian Mass chants. The chants reflect their praise, gratitude, and atonement to God, using words borrowed principally from the Psalms. The CD contains 19 chants divided into three categories: chants centered on themes related to Cistercian Life, chants centered on the mysteries of Christ’s life, and “The  Scrapbook of the Soul” (a selection of introits and one alleluia from various times during the liturgical year expressing a wide range of ways in which the human being turns to God). The CD contains an informative 20 page booklet, which gives: the history and background information on...

Carthusian monks Chant, some music and images from Grande Chartreuse France, as well as Carthusians in Spain, Italy , Slovenia, and others in France. http://chartreux.org - http://wikimapia.org/9586... ~ Via Catholiques1 .

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

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...

This hymn is exceedingly sublime in its expression of faith in Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. The latter part of this hymn is mandated by the Church for use at Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. The last two stanzas, known as the Tantum Ergo, is usually sung at the beginning of the last part of Benediction; after any period of silence and before the priest blesses the congregation with Our Lord Himself. Even today this hymn is widely known and used frequently. It is one of the most famous chants in existence. It was written by St. Thomas Aquinas, the Angelic Doctor. He is known as the Common Doctor of the Church. His angelic purity and holiness brought him very close to God. He wrote the hymn Pange Lingua (of which the Tantum Ergo is the last two stanzas) for the feast of Corpus Christi. A fellow priest and close friend attempted this task at the same time. When St. Thomas finished, he shared it with the priest, who was awe-struck at its sublimity and expression. He was so moved...

O KING OF THE GENTILES and their desired One, the Cornerstone that makes both one: Come, and deliver man, whom You formed out of the dust of the earth. Reflection for Today

O ROOT OF JESSE, who stands for an ensign of the people, before whom kings shall keep silence and unto whom the Gentiles shall make supplication: Come to deliver us, and tarry not.

You have not chosen Me: but I have chosen you; and have appointed you, that you should go and should bring forth fruit; and your fruit should remain: that whatsoever you shall ask of the Father in My name, He may give it you. ~ John 15:16

This is so relaxing and comforting!

This is so beautiful! Gregorian Chant NOT the pop group, but being sung as it should be within the Roman Rite Catholic Church, in praise of God, and ordinarily by monks. Via Catholiques .

"Laetetur Cor Quaerentium" Gregorian meditation Let the hearts that seek The Lord rejoice' Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice! Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgements he uttered, CHOIR,ORGAN,IMAGES of-Pluscarden Benedictine Abbey Via EJG Catholic.

Sanctus Fontgombault Choir, Notre Dame Gregorian Chant