Music – Walking The Way of Beauty

When Love Burns So Much It Hurts – a Poem

It’s not often that I get the chance to write “poetry.” It’s even less often than that, that I share what I write with others besides a spiritual director or close friend. This Fall, I had a rather unfortunate encounter which led me to a beautiful period of prayer. As I sat with the LordContinue reading “When Love Burns So Much It Hurts – a Poem”

Christ should be manifest in our whole life: how to achieve Christian perfection

As I sit here on the shores of Lake Atitlan this morning, the Office of Readings this morning had provided another gem to chew on and mull over. From a treatise on Christian Perfection by Saint Gregory of Nyssa, bishop (PG 46, 283-286) Christ should be manifest in our whole life “The life of theContinue reading “Christ should be manifest in our whole life: how to achieve Christian perfection”

“Beauty as Criteria for Choosing Music for Catholic Worship” – My Senior Thesis

The following has been long coming, but it is my Senior Thesis on “Beauty as Criteria for Choosing Music for Catholic Worship” In it, I examine how we define beauty, beauty as a thing of God, and then how we apply beauty as Criteria for choosing the music we use in the Liturgy. This paper was inspired by my love of beauty, of music, the Liturgy, and also of my desire to post things on my blog that will help us in more closely walking the Way of Beauty. For, “if ugliness is imprisonment, beauty is a kind of liberation.”

Singing is a Lover’s Thing – Why I listen to Christian Music

“The singing of the Church comes ultimately out of love. It is the utter depth of love that produces the singing. “Cantare amantis est”, says St. Augustine, singing is a lover’s thing.” – Pope Benedict XVI Nota Bene: “I listen to all genre’s of music. While in the Liturgy I generally tend to prefer hymnsContinue reading “Singing is a Lover’s Thing – Why I listen to Christian Music”

My Vocation Story

The following is my Vocation Story up to this point. Why do I say up to this point? Because, it is a never ending process. Until the day I die I will always be seeking to discover and discern where/to what God is calling me to next. The following are just specific points along the way that have stoodContinue reading “My Vocation Story”

Gasper & Loucon – Praise Singing

Gasper & Loucon – Praise Singing The Loucon Training and Retreat Center joined the Gasper River Catholic Youth Camp and Retreat Center Staff for Lifeguard training this week. One of the things we do together that is sort of a tradition is to have our musical talent lead us in song each night. This yearContinue reading “Gasper & Loucon – Praise Singing”

For All Your Saints Still Striving

For All Your Saints Still Striving For All Your Saints Still Striving sung on the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle by the Bishop Simon Bruté College Seminary Sacred Schola. Enjoy! Members of the Sacred Schola include: Andrew Hess, Andy Hirsch, Aaron Hess, Corey Bruns, Kevin Effron, Dominic Rankin, Daniel RossFun Fact: St. Andrew theContinue reading “For All Your Saints Still Striving”