Vespers

Greetings Scholars,

Vespers will be held at 5:30pm in the church on Tuesday, Sep 24, that is, just before practice.  I will bring copies of the required music/text.

Something to ponder: I am planning on singing Vespers every Tuesday from now on.  That was Fr. Christian's original mandatum for Regina Caeli - to sing Vespers.

From the General Instructions of the Liturgy of the Hours:

268. The sung celebration of the divine office is more in keeping with the nature of this prayer and a mark of both higher solemnity and closer union of hearts in offering praise to God.  Therefore, the singing of the office is earnestly recommended to those who carry out the office in choir or in common.

270. In celebrating the liturgy singing is not to be regarded as an embellishment superimposed upon prayer; rather it wells up from the depth of a soul intent on prayer and the praise of God and reveals in a full and complete way the community nature of Christian worship.

In keeping with this understanding, perhaps Regina Caeli can finally fulfill it mission if some or all of you would agree to participate in regular Tuesday Vespers as you are able.  I know Fr. Doug is all for more sung Vespers & may be willing to preside if we can make it a steady, regular thing.  It also puts us in his ear, literally & figuratively, if you catch my meaning.

I believe this would accomplish good things for our group, for us individually, & for the parish.  On a practical level for us, besides learning the order of the office & its various hymns, chants, & prayers through repetition, the more we sing together the more we begin to "gel" as a group & discover the unique voice hidden within our group; & the office is a relatively non-threatening, low-pressure way to do that.

We can discuss it at practice.

"Become a saint!"