Tragedy can test our faith. The question of why bad things happen to good people has haunted humanity from the start. When misfortune befalls people we perceive as evil, it’s easy to suppose it’s a matter of divine justice. But what about the virtuous and the innocent?
Resurrection of Catholic musical patrimony strikes heartfelt chord with many. Upon the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the hearts of the apostles were filled with wondrous joy on Easter Sunday. In a similar way, the hearts of many faithful today are elated at the return of sacred music into the life of the Church.
When I was a little girl about four, my parents and grandparents – after hours-long Sunday afternoon dinners with extended family – would gather us all to watch “The Ed Sullivan Show.” It was then that I first saw some amazing performers play brilliant piano and realized I wanted to learn it.
My sister-in-law was placed on bed rest for much of her first pregnancy in 1994. She borrowed my my two-volume chant CDs to help her get through the long winter days. It’s been 21 years and I haven’t seen them since.
How does a young order of contemplative nuns (formed in 1995) who don’t set foot beyond their Midwest rolling farmland became the No. 1-bestselling Billboard Classical Traditional artist for three consecutive years? Answer: By the grace of God.
For most of us, the reality of Christmas — the Incarnation of Our Savior Jesus Christ — is obscured throughout Advent by the noise of the secular “holiday season.” As Catholic Christians, we are obliged to step back from the bright lights and contemplate the reason for the season.
When Lent at Ephesus debuted on Feb. 11 — the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes — it topped Amazon’s Christian and classical charts. Given the success of the Benedictines of Mary’s previous recordings, that was no surprise. But the fact that this small order of contemplative nuns landed at No. 3 on the pop chart is stunning.
Dominican nuns are renowned as educators, but a new community of Dominicans is making great strides in reaching the secular culture. The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist are following in the footsteps of St. Dominic himself, while also engaging the modern world.
As a follow-up to their chart-topping first release with Decca last year, the Benedictines of Mary unite their voices once more on a new disc, “Angels and Saints at Ephesus.” Recorded at their priory in the heartland of America, this CD is a dynamic, yet pure fusion of their contemplative sound.
With Christmas music saturating the airwaves long before Thanksgiving, take a refreshing “time out” from the hustle and bustle of the season and approach the Christmas season properly, the Catholic way, by experiencing “Advent music.” This unique and gorgeous recording from the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, is a breath of fresh air.
The Irish priestly trio’s third album contains some of the most celebrated and cherished Christmas carols ever written. Released two years ago, Noël is a solemn and beautiful recording. The 15 classic tracks include: “The First Nowell,” “Sussex Carol,” “The Holly and the Ivy,” “Away in a Manger,” “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” and others.
After listening to His Love Remains, you’d never know that Raye was one of the biggest country music stars of the ’90s. No twang here. A convert to Catholicism, Raye breathes new life into some of the bestknown hymns. He shows his vocal prowess on most of these gems.
When it comes to Christian contemporary music, few do it as well as Maher. This young Canadian is one of the few Catholics to crack the CCM market. Maher’s sixth album brings more of the mature Christian pop that made him so popular.
Good-bye Religious Liberty? How the Attacks on Marriage Are Threatening Your Religious Freedom details the threats posed by homosexual activists on cultural, academic and legal fronts.
The 22-hour project is voiced by internationally renowned actors including Neal McDonough (Jesus), Julia Ormond (Mary), Kristen Bell (Mary Magdalene), Sean Astin (Matthew), Blair Underwood (Mark), Stacy Keach (John), and narrated by John Rhys-Davies, best known for his role as Sallah in Raiders of the Lost Ark. A labor of love for Arroyo, the project drew upon the talents of 70 actors, and 20 audio engineers in 10 studios on three continents.
Alive Again captures the penetrating spirit and charisma of Maher’s live performances. This young Canadian is one of the few Catholics to have cracked the Christian contemporary music market in the United States.
The latest CD from this acclaimed Catholic composer, virtuoso pianist and dynamic performer is riveting. With all original classical compositions recorded with the Slovak National Symphony Orchestra, Timeless is truly that — one for the ages. Legatus was honored to have Genuis perform at its 2008 Summit.