Mercy and Mary

There is a definite upswing in vocations, and our congregation is part of the upswing. We now have 8 novices!

Here’s an article about the recent vocation developments of the Marians.

I really need to say something since I haven’t updated this blog in over two months. Ideas for blogging seem a bit sparse. I’m just finishing another pilgrimage to the Holy Land. It is always a special privilege and blessing to come to this place. Each time has its own graces. I was on the temple mount for the first time (we “infidels” are only allowed on one hour per day). That was an experience. No one is allowed to walk around with a cross or crucifix visible, but, ironically, I had on my Roman collar.

Jerusalem has such a rich history. I got a book called Carta’s Historical Atlas of Jerusalem. I particularly enjoy the section on the Crusader period of the city. I don’t know if anyone has made a model that attempts to show this period (computer or otherwise), but it would be an interesting project.

One thing the book helps me to realize is that there are a lot of remains that are yet to be excavated or probably never will be because of the buildings on them. There are some ruins that are visible just a little here and there - not part of a tour usually. Well, in once sense, I don’t think it is necessary to uncover every ancient ruin or remain of some classic building, but there are probably some great treasures of artwork that could be revealed. In any case, seeking first the Kingdom of God is the most important thing.

This is not a topic that I really planned on talking about, but since I seem to have developed an interest in this area, I might as well catalog some of the series of records that deal in this area.

Some spoken word LPs concerned news events over a particular period of time. Some were concerned with the previous year. Here are many of the sets that can be found — some more common and some quite rare.

The granddaddy is probably Edward R. Murrow’s “I Can Hear it Now” series. The 3 LP set covering 1919-1949 is somewhat in demand and often sells for $20. We have a set I got from the MLK Washington, DC Public Library when they were getting rid of a lot of spoken word LPs.

D3L-366 I Can Hear it Now

Columbia may have led the way for the LPs focusing on a particular year. “The Big News of ‘57″ was a two LP album (We don’t have it). There is a very rare “The Big News of ‘58″ that can be found at a few libraries. “The Big News of ‘59″ was one LP and was narrated by Walter Cronkite. We have that one.

Gateway Records did a series for Radio Press International from 1962-1964 (at least) called “History in Sound” “1962 in Review”, etc. These appear to be quite rare.

Starting with 1963, Chet Huntley and David Brinkley released “A Time to Keep.” They also released editions for 1964 and 1965.

In 1965, Associated Press started their “World in Sound” LPs, which ran until 1982. We currently have the 1967, 1970, and 1981 editions.

CBS News returned to do “year in review” records with “The Incredible Year” (1968). We have that one. Charles Kuralt also narrates 1969 and 1970 LPs.

The Longines Symphonette produced some “year in review” records for 1971-1974 (?) We have the 1972 record.

Group W (Westinghouse Broadcasting Company) produced the “Perspective” series of “year in review” LPs. Each was a two record set. They say “Not for Broadcast” and “Not for Sale.” What were they for, then? They start with “Perspective ‘71″ and conclude with “Perspective ‘78″. Each is subtitled “an aural review.” We have the 1974 edition.

There are others — even more obscure. There is Collier’s Encyclopedia 1965 Edition Year-in-Sound LP, and others like that. Most of them did not have very long runs, though.

I’m going to be leading a pilgrimage to Rome in September which will include attending the beatification of Chiara Luce Badano. The information is at the following page:

206 Tours pilgrimage: Chiara Badano beatification

Vinyl Records in our collection, and how obscure they are:

Gregorian Chant Masses sung by the Benedictine Monks of St. John’s Abbey, Gerard Farrell, O.S.B., director
Liturgical Press, Collegeville, MN EMC-63-1520/1521
found in 30 libraries on WorldCat
1 used for sale at Amazon

St. Norbert Abbey Choir
Canons Regular of Premontre
De Pere, Wisconsin
Rev. Robert W. Olson, O. Praem, cantor
LP XTV-85098/9
1 reference on the Internet
found in no libraries on WorldCat
(very obscure)
This includes recording of works by Fr. Robert Sromovsky, O.Praem.

Hail Holy Queen: Selections from the Liturgy of Our Lady
sung by The Trappist Monks of Gethsemani
Columbia ML 5205
found in 35 libraries on WorldCat
I found no copies currently for sale online, but some clips of songs on Youtube.

Hymns to the Blessed Virgin Mary - James Swittel
(10 inch version - DL 5420)
I found one copy for sale at GEMM.
Found in no libraries on WorldCat
(The 12″ LP is in the Marian Library at Dayton, OH, however but not cataloged. There is also a very rare set of 78s of this.)

Hymns to the Sacred Heart of Jesus - James Swittel
(10 inch - DL 5476)
Found for sale on Ebay.
Found in 2 libraries on WorldCat

The Holy Saturday Exultet and Sacred Polyphony
Immaculate Conception Seminary Schola
Gregorian Institute of America DS-1
Found in 2 libraries on WorldCat
No copies found for sale anywhere.

Priest Chants at the Altar
Rev. John Selner and Joseph Brennan
Gregorian Institute of America ACLP-1
Found in 1 library on WorldCat (in Los Angeles)

Sing to Mary: Selected Hymns in Honor of Mary
Catholic University of America Chorus
under the direction of John Paul
Catholic Recordings - Catholic Distributors, Inc.
CD-CH-1048A/B
Found in no libraries on WorldCat
(There is a copy in the Marian Library in Dayton, OH)

Ave Maria - Jessica Dragonette, Soprano
LP 2357 - St. Anthony’s Guild
Found in 7 libraries on WorldCat
One copy for sale on GEMM.

The Blessed Virgin Mary
St. Meinrad Chancel Choir
St. Meinrad Recordings HO8L-1380/1
Found in 4 libraries on WorldCat
Found for sale.

I’ll post more of these soon.

She is to be beatified in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Divine Love (Rome) Saturday, September 25, at 4 P.M. The Mass will be presided by Archbishop Angelo Amato, Prefect of the Congregation of Causes of Saints.

There will be a youth celebration that evening at 8:30 P.M. in the Paul VI Auditorium.

A solemn Mass of thanksgiving will be celebrated September 26 by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican Secretary of State, in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls.

Deo Gratias! Te Deum laudamus.

This TV show features two Servants of God. At the beginning of the show, there they stand (at rather different heights). I almost expect them to defer to each other as to who will be beatified first.

And what do Servants of God talk about? Our Lady, of coursre!

Watch Servant of God Fr. Patrick Peyton introduce Servant of God Archbishop Fulton Sheen.

A Matter of Faith

A book of meditations for the Stations of the Cross has this as part of the meditation for the 3rd station:

“Where are those first infant steps when Mary guided Him on the road of life?

He walked, wee little one, budding fruit of Mary’s womb, and often He fell.

But at that time they were falls of that weakness which is ours, which He wanted to assume; the falls of the child who learns that the roads upon which men walk are not easy roads.

Now again it is a human fall, but under an excessive weight.

And Mary, who smiled in the long ago, today feels her heart within her crushed beneath that same weight.”
Robin, Royal Road of the Holy Cross, 7

This is the most snow I’ve ever seen in Steubenville.

For photos from the Marian House of Studies buried in snow, go to this link