Saint Thomas’ Profundity: A Poem
(On this memorial of Blessed Duns Scotus, here is a poem on his near-contemporary, Saint Thomas, by high school senior, Brendan Brunet. If Mr....
Six Organ Concertos By Handel
On this Laetare Sunday, where we may mitigate our Lenten practices somewhat, symbolized by the subdued colour of liturgical rose, and the organ may...
Allegri’s Miserere and Mozart’s Memory
On this Third Sunday of Lent, it is fitting to remind ourselves of Allegri's Miserere, his unsurpassed musical setting of Psalm 51, recited in...
Rabanus Maurus and the Veni Creator
February 4th is the traditional memorial of the the erudite Frankish monk, Rabanus Maurus (+856), one of the most learned men of his age,...
Listening in the Silence – A Meditative and Musical Offering
Today's reading from Samuel, telling the origin story of our biblical hero, ends with the words of the prophet, 'speak, Lord, for thy servant...
Keeping the Christmas Caroling: In Dulce Iubilo, the Wexford, and A Rose in Winter.
With the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God yesterday - or, in the usus antiquior, the Circumcision - the Octave of Christmas closes, but...
A Christmas Carol
Charles Dickens' novella A Christmas Carol was first published on December 19, 1843, and it has been a much beloved classic ever since. Sure,...
Handel’s Miraculous Messiah
Handel's Messiah, first performed on April 13th, 1742 (in Dublin of all places) was Composed by a German, who had become a naturalised Brit,...
Music for Mary
On this Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, as we continue the pilgrimage through the Marian theme of Advent, here are a few musical pieces...
Vivaldi’s Magnificat
Monsignor Antonio Vivaldi was not only one of the greatest of Baroque composers, but also a Catholic priest, who directed a girls' orphanage, for...