Outnumbered

The story is simple. I encourage you just to note the relevant details.

Debut

I have been involved in music ministry in some form since All Souls Day, 1986. I have been a cantor/song leader in the parishes where I resided and have directed Protestant church choirs on and off for about seven years.

At the Easter Vigil Mass at St. Olaf's in Bountiful, I was privileged to chant for the first time in my life the Exsultet. I humbly joined all those priests, deacons, and cantors who have intoned this hymn. From my post "To Those In Darkness, Light", I bring in this Easter Sunday with the words expressing the joy of the soul:

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Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing, choirs of angels!
Exult, all creation around God's throne!
Jesus Christ, our King is risen!
Sound the trumpet of salvation!

Rejoice, O earth, in shining splendor,
radiant in the brightness of your King!
Christ has conquered! Glory fills you!
Darkness vanishes forever!

Rejoice, O Mother Church! Exult in glory!
The risen Savior shines upon you!
Let this place resound with joy,
echoing the mighty song of all God's people!

[My dearest friends,
standing with me in this holy light,
join me in asking God for mercy,
that he may give his unworthy minister
grace to sing his Easter praises.

V. The Lord be with you.
R. And also with you.]
V. Lift up your hearts.
R. We lift them up to the Lord.
V. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
R. It is right to give him thanks and praise.

It is truly right
that with full hearts and minds and voices
we should praise the unseen God,
the all-powerful Father,
and his only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

For Christ has ransomed us with his blood,
and paid for us the price of Adam's sin
to our eternal Father!

This is our passover feast,
when Christ, the true Lamb, is slain,
whose blood consecrates the homes of all believers.

This is the night when first you saved our fathers:
you free the people of Israel from their slavery
and led them dry-shod through the sea.

This is the night when Christians everywhere,
washed clean of sin
and freed from all defilement,
are restored to grace and grow together in holiness.

This is the night when Jesus Christ
broke the chains of death
and rose triumphant from the grave.

What good would life have been to us,
had Christ not come as our Redeemer?

Father, how wonderful your care for us!
How boundless your merciful love!
To ransom a slave
you gave away your Son.

O happy fault, O necessary sin of Adam,
which gained for us so great a Redeemer!

Most blessed of all nights, chosen by God
to see Christ rising from the dead!

Of this night scripture says:
"The night will be as clear as day;
it will become my light, my joy."

The power of this holy night
dispels all evil, washes guilt away,
restores lost innocence, brings mourners joy;
it casts out hatred, brings us peace,
and humbles earthly pride.

Night truly blessed when heaven is wedded to earth
and we are reconciled with God!

Therefore, heavenly Father, in the joy of this night,
receive our evening sacrifice of praise,
your Church's solemn offering.

Accept this Easter candle,
a flame divided but undimmed,
a pillar of fire that glows to the honor of God.

Let it mingle with the lights of heaven
and continue bravely burning
to dispel the darkness of this night!

May the morning Star which never sets
find this flame still burning:
Christ, that Morning Star, who came back from the dead,
and shed his peaceful light on us all,
your Son who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

R. Amen.

Another Merciful Reminder

It starts sometime today.

The Divine Mercy Novina.

The information you need is here.

Glibert On Good Friday

G.K. Chesterton has some wonderful thoughts on this day from his book "The Everlasting Man".

Mark Shea has the post for a somber reflection. (Fedora doff.)

Pseduo-Holy-Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Oh, wait a minute.

The normal feast day is during Holy Week this year. Even though it is an optional memorial, the celebration of the feast was transferred to March 15, so as to not interfere with the somberness (and spiritual preparation) of this week. So, my greeting is belated.

I wonder how many parties happened last Saturday. Or how many will take place tonight. And have you noticed a series of commercials sponsored by a certain alcoholic beverage company, using the angle of petitioning to make today an official national holiday and interviewing the symbols of other national holidays for their reaction? It's clever. It also demeans even more the contribution of this bishop. Remember the shamrock?

As a reminder of how he was totally dedicated to God (as should we be), I link back to my post of two years ago. As he did, so should we cover ourselves with the armor that is Christ.

Erin Go Braugh!

Third Time Around

Once again, I will be re-posting my series of meditations on the "Seven Last Words" which Christ spoke while hanging upon the Cross.

As we enter Holy Week, I hope my readers will continue to find them useful as a point of departure upon their own reflections.

Meet you at Calvary.

Twice As Nice

Domenico and Melanie Bettinelli welcomed another child into their fold yesterday.

Sophia joins another sister, Isabella.

Please read Dom's 'blog for the details.

Melanie's 'blog provides a different perspective.

Congratulations to the entire family!

Descartian Reminder

"Cognito; ergo sum."

Yes, I am still around.

Plenty about which to write.

Finding the time and motivation is another story.

Sometimes the spirit moves you; sometimes you need to move the spirit.

The latter applies.