Category Archives: beauty

All Souls’ Day and Dies Irae: The Four Most Profoundly Influential Notes of Gregorian Chant

Posted on November 1, 2020 by

I am certainly not the first one to make note of the fact that the Sequence, Dies Irae, for All Souls’ Day appears to have made a profound and far ranging contribution to American Culture. From blockbusters like Star Wars … Continue reading →

Posted in beauty, catholic education, Christendom, Sacred Music, Sacrosanctum Consilium, The Mass, William Byrd | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

How Does Anyone Love the Lord God With the Whole Mind?

Posted on October 26, 2020 by

In this last Sunday’s Gospel we hear, You shall love the Lord, your God,with all your heart,with all your soul,and with all your mind. Now I think most people are familiar with the first two thirds of this injunction- we … Continue reading →

Posted in beauty, Catena Aurea, catholic education, classical education, education, Liberal Arts, liberal education | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Till We Have Faces

Posted on May 25, 2020 by

I miss the human face…don’t you? Isn’t it interesting how that is? Did you think you would ever miss the human face? Who would ever have guessed it? What is about the face that is so important? I suppose it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in beauty, fashion | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Clarence, Get Me Back! I Want to Live Again!

Posted on May 13, 2020 by

Well, this certainly has been an exciting experiment! But to be perfectly honest, as they say, I have seen enough. Whereas Frank Capra’s George Bailey was granted the experience (thanks to his guardian angel!) of seeing what life would be … Continue reading →

Posted in beauty, Common Good, Fine Arts | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Easter 2020!

Posted on April 13, 2020 by

Ahh, the joy of waking up on Easter Sunday morning and discovering the table magically adorned with flowers and gifts! We will let the pictures do the talking, from early morning to brunch to dinner.  Ordinarily, someone paints the Easter … Continue reading →

Posted in beauty, breakfast, Easter, Feasts, Fine Arts | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Today, Sing “Ubi Caritas!”

Posted on April 9, 2020 by

Today, Holy Thursday, is the day for singing the ancient chant Ubi Caritas! UBI caritas et amor, Deus ibi est. Congregavit nos in unum Christi amor. Exultemus, et in ipso iucundemur. Timeamus, et amemus Deum vivum. Et ex corde diligamus nos … Continue reading →

Posted in beauty, Easter, Feasts, Sacred Music, Sacrosanctum Consilium, The Mass, The Passion | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Passion Sunday (Fifth Sunday of Lent)

Posted on March 29, 2020 by

One unforeseen perk of being a parish music director is the ability to participate at Holy Mass during this strange period. I am grateful to my wife and daughters for providing the beautiful chant. In the future, I am hoping … Continue reading →

Posted in beauty, Music, Sacred Music, Sacrosanctum Consilium | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Sadness and Anxiety With William Byrd

Posted on March 22, 2020 by

No better way to purge anxiety and sadness than through the music of Byrd!   Tristitia et anxietas occupaverunt interiora mea. Mœstum factum est cor meum in dolore, et contenebrati sunt oculi mei. Væ mihi, quia peccavi. Sed tu, Domine, … Continue reading →

Posted in beauty, Music, passions, William Byrd | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The Priest: Privileged Witness of the Reality of Grace Present in the World

Posted on January 3, 2020 by

On this, the eve of the Epiphany, with the Christ Child still lying in the manger, a great many Catholics everywhere are hoping and praying for a year of renewed grace. And, of course, with the turn of the secular … Continue reading →

Posted in Augustine, beauty, Christmas, Feasts | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Easter 2019! Boeuf en Croute Alleluia!

Posted on April 22, 2019 by

Easter came a little later this year, but as a good friend likes to remind me, God is seldom early but He is never late! I am not sure how true this is, but it does seem to describe pretty well … Continue reading →

Posted in beauty, breakfast, Dinner, Easter, Ex Umbris, Feasts, Fine Arts | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments