Category Archives: beauty

Ever Ancient Ever New: Feasting at Easter!

Posted on April 2, 2018 by marklangley

Happy Easter! Now some of you might be thinking, “hmmm….this photo looks suspiciously familiar.” Or “Haven’t I seen this before?” Well, my response is “yes and no!” Although these photos are all brand new, they are, nonetheless, the same in … Continue reading →

Posted in beauty, breakfast, Dinner, Easter, Feasts | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Christmas 2017: Feast Edition!

Posted on December 27, 2017 by marklangley

Although Christmas day itself has passed, nonetheless the Church insists that we keep up the celebration! As obedient sons and daughters, ours is the task to celebrate the feast as heartily as possible for as long as we can – … Continue reading →

Posted in beauty, breakfast, Christmas, Custom, Dinner, Feasts, Fine Arts, liberal education works, Music | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

In Education, The End Depends On The Beginning.

Posted on October 17, 2017 by marklangley

Incidentally, I haven’t read much of the Roman poet Manlius who “flourished” in the first century AD. But his famous line “Finisque ab origine pendet” from the fourth book of his Astronomicon appears to have been adopted by Phillips Exeter Academy as … Continue reading →

Posted in beauty, catholic education, classical education, education, liberal education, truth for its own sake | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

How Do You Restore Sacred Music? A Diocesan Directive Would Help.

Posted on July 29, 2017 by marklangley

I have no idea how his pastoral directive was received, but a belated bravo to Bishop John F. Doerfler of the Diocese of Marquette! Although given on January 26, 2016, I had only become aware of his pastoral directive  on sacred music … Continue reading →

Posted in beauty, Custom, Sacred Music, Sacrosanctum Consilium, The Mass | Tagged , , , | 13 Comments

Improvident but Cheerful: A Defense of the Unplanned Family

Posted on February 18, 2017 by marklangley

When Benjamin Bunny grew up he married his cousin Flopsy. They had a large family, and they were very improvident and cheerful…as there was not always quite enough to eat,- Benjamin used to borrow cabbages from Flopsy’s brother, Peter Rabbit, … Continue reading →

Posted in ad libitum, beauty, Solon, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 13 Comments

Open Letter to My Daughter(s)

Posted on January 18, 2017 by marklangley

Is there anyone who was not profoundly touched by the flurry of open letters that loving parents wrote to their daughters concerning the recent election of our new president? (for example here and here and here) Ms. Sallie Krawcheck consoles her daughter after the … Continue reading →

Posted in beauty, catholic education, classical education, education, Fine Arts, Grammar, Homer, Liberal Arts, Seven Fine Arts, Uncategorized, Virgil, Wisdom | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

What I Did on My Summer Vacation

Posted on August 30, 2016 by marklangley

I have often repeated the words of a wise teacher, who has now passed on from this dusty earth straight to heaven. (nonetheless I will still continue to send prayers up for his soul in grateful memory of the benefits … Continue reading →

Posted in beauty, liberal education works, Sacred Music, slavery, summer vacation, Work | Tagged , , , , | 18 Comments

Resurrexit! 2016

Posted on March 29, 2016 by marklangley

Happy Easter 2016!  

Posted in beauty, Dinner, Easter, Feasts, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Secret to Beautiful Liturgy: Leave it to the Kids!

Posted on March 14, 2016 by marklangley

This morning I attended a simple daily Mass along with 60 students in grades 6-12. Let’s see, that places them somewhere between the ages of 11 and 18. So given that there were only 70 people in the church – … Continue reading →

Posted in beauty, catholic education, Sacred Music, Sacrosanctum Consilium, The Mass | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Do You Actually Participate at Mass?

Posted on March 5, 2016 by marklangley

As a parish Music Director, like Garrison Keillor’s Guy Noir Private Eye, I find myself trying to find answers to one of life’s most persistent questions: How can I contribute to that “full, conscious and active participation in the ceremonies” that the fathers … Continue reading →

Posted in beauty, Music, Sacred Music, Sacrosanctum Consilium, The Mass | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments