Spring has sprung,
Fall has fell,
But now it is Summer
And it is hotter than...

Usual. :-P

And with summer comes a bit of a respite for most of us from our liturgical duties the other three seasons. A time to relax, a time to recover, a time to recharge, a time to retreat, a time to go to an out-of-the-way place. And with the less harried pace, a time to plan for what is to come.

While June, July, and August are times to let up, they are certainly times not to let down. The return of choirs from hiatus is on the horizon. We think of ways to bring more workers into our vineyards. We think of what music we, our fellow musicians, and our congregations are ready to perform and pray. We ponder on how we can continue to give glory to God through our music. Let us pray that during this time of reflection, we may be guided by the Holy Spirit and discern how to "pray twice" more effectively.

This is an invitation to pray a novena with other CMAA members from Saturday, July 22 through Sunday, July 30 inclusive.

Do join in; even limited daily prayer (Our Father; Hail Mary; Glory Be; Saint Cecilia, pray for us) is welcome!

Attachments for both the spoken and chanted forms of the litany are provided.

By now we have settled into our routine of rehearsals and liturgies for the upcoming 9-10 months. Our folders are graced with familiar music and pieces unknown to us, as well, perhaps, as our groups in regards to people. With one eye focused on the here-and-now and the other peeking into the future, our time is spent in preparation of voice, heart, and soul for the liturgies which call for and call forth our talents.

While the eagerness of these first few weeks gives way to the sobriety of the time and effort needed to polish our "gifts of grateful praise", we still welcome the opportunity to worship God in this elevated manner. Let us pray to strive to do and be our best, to increase our "talents", and by this effort give God His due.

This is an invitation to pray a novena with other CMAA members from Friday, September 22 through Saturday, September 30 inclusive.

Do join in; even limited daily prayer (Our Father; Hail Mary; Glory Be; Saint Cecilia, pray for us) is welcome!

Attachments for both the spoken and chanted forms of the litany are provided.

"In all things give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you all." (1 Thessalonians 5:18--Douay-Rheims)

The last month of the liturgical year is almost over. A month when we are reminded about the Communion of Saints and the Four Last Things, over which Christ our King reigns. A month which includes the feast of our patron saint. A month which also seemingly begins secular celebrations of gratitude for our blessings and the desire to share "peace on earth".

We are given the opportunity to "catch our breath" before the final push towards the Advent/Christmas/Epiphany season. We are given cause to reflect upon the many gifts given to us by God and give Him praise by thanking Him for them. We rightfully render an accounting of what has been bestowed upon us and return them with increase to He Who is the Giver of all good things. Now, more than ever, let us rejoice and be glad with even more grateful hearts and "raise this, our gifts of grateful praise."

This is an invitation to pray a novena with other CMAA members from Wednesday, November 22 through Thursday, November 30 inclusive.

Do join in; even limited daily prayer (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Saint Cecilia pray for us) is welcome!

Attachments for both the spoken and chanted forms of the litany are provided.

Happy Thanksgiving, everybody!

"Blessed be the Name of Jesus."

In this month traditionally reserved for devotion to the Holy Name of our Lord and Savior, the Name above every other name to which every knee should bow, the invocation of the fourth line of the Divine Praises should be familiar to all. Having just celebrated His birth and various epiphanies, we greet the new calendar year with hope and optimism, knowing we are preparing for the source and summit of our liturgical year in about two months.

There is just about enough time to catch our breath before we begin work toward the next major liturgical celebrations. While we have had the opportunity to reflect upon the work we did at the end of December and beginning of January, we also know all too well Ash Wednesday is right around the corner. But such is this vocation we have chosen. Let us continue to pray for each other, that as our musical lives are so intertwined with the liturgy, our being may also be be intertwined with Him Who we praise and adore, thus showing forth His glory.

This is an invitation to pray a novena with other CMAA members from Monday, January 22 through Tuesday, January 30 inclusive.

Do join in; even limited daily prayer (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Saint Cecilia pray for us) is welcome!

Attachments for both the spoken and chanted forms of the litany are provided.

We are on the threshold of Holy Week, the commemoration of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ's death and resurrection. We are about to begin Christendom's High Holy Days. We are about to celebrate our salvation from sin. (And how many of us have noticed this Good Friday will usher in Passover, as it did in the Passion Narratives?)

We follow Jesus into Jerusalem, the Upper Room, to Calvary. We hear the "Hosannas", the "crucify Him", His Seven Last Words. We are and continue to be the witnesses to all these things. And while "Do this in memory of Me" specifically refers to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, do we not also recall the events before and after during this time of the liturgical calendar?

We have prepared ourselves as individuals. We have readied the musical forces under our leadership. We now join our voices with all choirs on earth as it is in heaven and make the most joyful noise possible, because our redemption has been won. How fitting this month's novena will end with us at the tomb, so that we may wait with the rest of the world for that first day of the week. Let us pray for each other, that our individual and corporate worship may be just as pleasing as the Sacrifice He offered.

This is an invitation to pray a novena with other CMAA members from Thursday, March 22 through Friday, March 30 inclusive.

Do join in; even limited daily prayer (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Saint Cecilia pray for us) is welcome!

Attachments for both the spoken and chanted forms of the litany are provided.

Let us rejoice and be glad, ready to proclaim, "He is risen! He is risen, indeed!"

As we are in the middle of the last group of major liturgical feasts and (for many of us) nearing the end of our work for this season, we take the time to reflect on the successes and progress we have made over the last nine months, as individuals and groups, musically and spiritually. Some of this is tangible--perhaps a new work was learned, a skill was improved, more workers have joined your vineyard. It is those things intangible that take a bit more discerning.

I offer these questions for your consideration. Has your own prayer life deepened? Have you been effective in drawing your congregations into a deeper corporate prayer (thus, perhaps, influencing individuals)? Is there more beauty in your liturgies? Has this discipline called music helped you grow in virtue? I'm sure you can think of others along this line.

As this month devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary draws to a close, may we rejoice and be glad in our efforts to give glory to God through our art. May we continue to use our talents to create a bridge between heaven and earth. And while this is only a pale imitation of the First Novena, may our prayers for the next nine days produce good fruit.

This is an invitation to pray a novena with other CMAA members from Tuesday, May 22 through Wednesday, May 30 inclusive.

Do join in; even limited daily prayer (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Saint Cecilia pray for us) is welcome!

Attachments for both the spoken and chanted forms of the litany are provided.

All those who have been besieged by higher than normal temps and other "unpleasant" weather, I remind you there is a hotter location where that condition will be permanent. (And, yes, let us pray to be delivered from both of those conditions.)

While the middle of summer is hotter than usual, the pace of these days, liturgically speaking, is still somewhat relaxed. But Labor Day is not that far away. Wherever we are in the planning stage for the upcoming months, finalization will come, hopefully sooner rather than later. And for us who only have to assist in that execution, hopefully we have been maintaining our instruments (vocal or otherwise) so we can be ready for that first rehearsal. And with the Assumption drawing near, we may be called into action. Let us pray we continue to fruitfully relax and ready ourselves to resume our duties.

This is an invitation to pray a novena with other CMAA members from Sunday, July 22 through Monday, July 30 inclusive.

Do join in; even limited daily prayer (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Saint Cecilia pray for us) is welcome!

Attachments for both the spoken and chanted forms of the litany are provided.

"Salve, Regina...."

The timing of the start of this monthly novena, no matter the month, provides ample material for reflection. It happens this month to coincide with the Memorial of the Queenship of Mary and the day after the Memorial of St. Pius X. It also happen to be the last one before most of us (re-)start in earnest our musical endeavors for the next ten months.

I hope the respite of these past few month has been fruitful, that your physical and spiritual batteries have been recharged, and you are looking forward to the coming preparation and praying. Let us pray, as we return to the portion of the vineyard entrusted to us, whether familiar or new, and with our co-workers, whether familiar or new, that our labor of love in service to the liturgy will bring a 30-/60-/100-fold increase in holiness to those who partake in it, whether in the choir loft, sanctuary, or pews.

This is an invitation to pray a novena with other CMAA members from Wednesday, August 22 through Thursday, August 30 inclusive.

Do join in; even limited daily prayer (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Saint Cecilia pray for us) is welcome!

Attachments for both the spoken and chanted forms of the litany are provided.

"From ghoulies and ghosties and long-leggedy beasties and things that go bump in the night, Good Lord, deliver us!"

This somewhat whimsical prayer has made its appearance for at least the last couple of years when this reminder comes in October. Yet within its playfulness, there is a serious message. Our frail human nature battles not only the world, the flesh, and the devil but also other dangers we cannot imagine. It is only with the help of God that we can endure and perhaps overcome battles of both a material and spiritual nature. As St. Augustine reminds us, while God created us without our permission, He can only save us with it.

On the threshold of maybe the most sobering month in the liturgical calendar, when we, the Church Militant, prepare to remember our King (first in the EF calendar, then later in the OF calendar) and the other members of the Communion of Saints, with an eye towards the first major block of celebrations, let us pray to perform our parts well. Fulfilling our roles will happen sooner than we think. May preparation and vigilance, always a must in our spiritual lives, come to the fore as we ready ourselves for what is to come.

This is an invitation to pray a novena with other CMAA members from Monday, October 22 through Tuesday, October 30 inclusive.

Do join in; even limited daily prayer (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Saint Cecilia pray for us) is welcome!

Attachments for both the spoken and chanted forms of the litany are provided.

(Again, while the time stamp will say October 23, I did start this at 10 PM MDT. The Department of Procrastination thanks you for your indulgence.)

"People, look East, and sing today: Love, the Lord, is on the way."

Yes, He is. We are just days away from the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Our preparation has been for four months, not just four "weeks". And it does not end on "the first day of Christmas", but extends into the new calendar year.

The timing of this novena is especially gratifying. The "O" Antiphons are almost complete. The various feasts within the Octave amplify the mystery of the Incarnation. The joy we find in this birth is but an echo of the joy we find in our salvation. It is truly a time when "heaven and nature sing". Let us pray, as we lift our voices and instruments during this time of the year, that we may make the most joyful noise we are able.

This is an invitation to pray a novena with other CMAA members from Saturday, December 22 through Sunday, December 30 inclusive.

Do join in; even limited daily prayer (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Saint Cecilia pray for us) is welcome!

Attachments for both the spoken and chanted forms of the litany are provided.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

"He is risen! He is risen indeed!"

The Sacred Triduum is over. The echoes of familiar music can still be heard in our churches, our minds, and our hearts. The joy of the Resurrection, celebrated in our rites, is upon us until Pentecost, while "Regina Coeli" weaves its way through our days.

While our High Holy Days may be complete, our gratefulness for the gift of salvation knows no bounds nor end. The victory over sin and death now accomplished, we use the next seven weeks to express our thankfulness. And as we do, we also prepare for the next block of major feasts as well as other special occasions. Let us pray that the successful rendering of our musical offerings carry us forward to just as satisfying results for the next two months.

This is an invitation to pray a novena with other CMAA members from Monday, April 22 through Tuesday, April 30 inclusive.

Do join in; even limited daily prayer (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Saint Cecilia pray for us) is welcome!

Attachments for both the spoken and chanted forms of the litany are provided.

Happy Easter, everybody!

Prayers, please, for 7 urgent personal intentions

Thanks for the reminder and the novena. But what is this "vacation" of which you speak?

I haven't forgotten. I am just practicing social distancing from my keyboard. =-)

There is no such thing as a "new normal". It is not normal to be isolated like this for as long as we have, whatever the reasons for it. It is not normal for the prayer life of the Church to be as muted as it is. It is not normal for our musical offerings to be a mere pitance of what we give in full voice and whole heart.

It seems we aren't "praying twice". Yet, I know we are still there, doing what we can under the circumstances. We have just finished the final two major blocks of the liturgical calendar, giving new meaning to the phrase "noble simplicity" in our actions. And now we enter the respite of summer, where plans for what is to come depend on how quickly we can be healed from this pandemic.

Let us pray for an end to this viral outbreak, especially for an effective vaccine. Let us pray for those who have been inflicted, that then may recover. Let us pray for the souls who have succumbed to this disease. Let us pray in thanksgiving for those who still make a joyful noise and what I think is certainly a heroic effort to do it. And let us pray for the time when we all can return to our vineyards and begin the work we have been entrusted.

This is an invitation to pray a novena with other CMAA members from Monday, June 22 through Tuesday, June 30 inclusive.

Do join in; even limited daily prayer (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Saint Cecilia pray for us) is welcome!

Attachments for both the spoken and chanted forms of the litany are provided.

Adding a request that came to us at CMAA: an unassigned priest asks prayers for his intentions.

Just saw this and will start today. Thanks.

"And heaven and nature sing,..."

Heaven? Most definitely. Nature? Not so much.

While the herald angels will be doing their part, the crowning achievement of God's material creation will still be somewhat muffled and muted. Once again, a major holy day of the Church (and all the days to follow) will not be able to joyfully proclaim the Good News as it could. While the caution is necessary, it is still not welcome.

But we who work in this vineyard are nothing if not resourceful. As the secular Christmas song goes, we will muddle through the next three weeks. We will give what we can, give to the best of our abilities, and give it our all. We will "join the triumph of the skies" and "with th'angelic hosts proclaim, 'Christ is born in Bethlehem!'"

Let us pray for each other as we work through this part of the liturgical year, first and foremost. Let us be thankful for the blessings we did receive this past calendar year Let us pray this ordeal will quickly come to an end, so the joy to the world promised by the Christ Child may shine brighter than ever.

This is an invitation to pray a novena with other CMAA members from Tuesday, December 22 through Wednesday, December 30 inclusive.

Do join in; even limited daily prayer (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Saint Cecilia pray for us) is welcome!

Attachments for both the spoken and chanted forms of the litany are provided.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

We are on the cusp of Holy Week. Amongst the purple of this Lent will be a couple of glimmers of white. Final preparations for all the liturgies and devotional services we will undertake happen this week. We once again assist in bringing "The Greatest Story Ever Told" to its denouement in all its tragedy and glory.

While it's not that often this novena overlaps with any part of this second major block of liturgical celebrations, I would like to believe our undertaking of this prayer at this time will have more efficaciousness. As we accompany our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in His Passion, Death, and Resurrection, let us unite our personal prayers and musical offerings to Him. As His salvific acts truly fulfill the final petition of the Lord's Prayer, may they also "fill us with every grace and blessing."

This is an invitation to pray a novena with other CMAA members from Monday, March 22 through Tuesday, March 30 inclusive.

Do join in; even limited daily prayer (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Saint Cecilia pray for us) is welcome!

Attachments for both the spoken and chanted forms of the litany are provided.

We have just started the final group of major celebrations of the liturgical year. With it (for many), this will be the last of their musical duties until the fall. It is always a wonderful way to end the season.

And with it comes an opportunity to reflect on what one has accomplished since late August/early September. How well have we given glory to God? How have we grown spiritually and musically? How much joy have we both given and received? You can certainly come up with other reflections; I provide these as a point of departure.

Let us give thanks for the ability and opportunity to praise God in this way. Let us continue to pray for each other. Let us look ahead to what we can do in our own vineyards.

This is an invitation to pray a novena with other CMAA members from Saturday, May 22 through Sunday, May 30 inclusive.

Do join in; even limited daily prayer (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Saint Cecilia pray for us) is welcome!

Attachments for both the spoken and chanted forms of the litany are provided.

The summer months are a time for planning and preparing, dreaming and scheming. Having plans disrupted for the past 16 months makes us all the more eager to get back to doing what we love--giving praise to God through our musical offerings. Hopefully, by the time fall approaches, we can return to our places in whatever location is provided for us.

While the reduction in our outward expression of actuosa participatio has happened, this has given us the opportunity to reflect on our interior disposition. The questions beg. How well do these two match and adequately reflect each other? How can this improve? As this is a time to "go away and refresh" ourselves, I hope this is worth a little consideration. Let us continue to keep each other in prayer, asking for the grace of renewal of ourselves and our talents, so this light may continue to shine for all.

This is an invitation to pray a novena with other CMAA members from Thursday, July 22 through Friday, July 30 inclusive.

Do join in; even limited daily prayer (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Saint Cecilia pray for us) is welcome!

Attachments for both the spoken and chanted forms of the litany are provided.

The first day of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere. And with that change in season comes (more or less) the start (or, better yet, re-start) of another cycle of rehearsals and ritual performances for most of us. (Ah, the life of a church musician.)

There is much to do, especially if one is returning from the forced hiatus of pandemic-related shut downs. There is the necessary task of re-acquainting ourselves with our co-workers in our vineyards. There is the equally necessary task of re-acquainting ourselves with our music. There is the equally necessary task of regaining our voices, both literally and figuratively. So much integration; so little time (did I mention Christmas is less than 100 days away?).

Let us pray for the well-being of each other. Let us pray for the strength and courage to re-build what had been damaged since March, 2020. Let us pray for a successful return to what will always be normal for us: the glorification of God through our music.

This is an invitation to pray a novena with other CMAA members from Wednesday, September 22 through Thursday, September 30 inclusive.

Do join in; even limited daily prayer (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Saint Cecilia pray for us) is welcome!

Attachments for both the spoken and chanted forms of the litany are provided.

The last week of the liturgical year is here. In the United States, it also has a curious juxtaposition with the Gregorian calendar. This week features the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe; the Memorial of our Patroness, St. Cecilia--Virgin and Martyr; and Thanksgiving Day. It seems to fit in well with part of the Lord's Prayer: "Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread..."

As we prepare to give thanks for all the blessings bestowed by God and catch our collective breaths before the final push of preparation for the Advent/Christmas/Epiphany season, we do well to recall the words of St. Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians: "Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus." (5:16-18) As church musicians, this is who we are and what we do. And since this novena begins on our patroness' feast day, let us hope our petitions reach heaven with more force of intention.

This is an invitation to pray a novena with other CMAA members from Monday, November 22 through Tuesday, November 30 inclusive.

Do join in; even limited daily prayer (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Saint Cecilia pray for us) is welcome!

Attachments for both the spoken and chanted forms of the litany are provided.

Memory, indeed, is a sad privilege; thus, I invoke it.

I have mentioned that sometimes the liturgical and Gregorian calendars intersect in quite interesting ways. This month is one of those times. While this particular novena starts on the Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter, Apostle, it ends this time on Ash Wednesday.

What an opportunity for us to have some spiritual preparation for Lent. Let us pray our Lenten disciplines will bear fruit when this joyful Eastertide comes. Let us pray our musical offerings throughout the coming season be acceptable worship. Let us pray that our "Kyrie eleison" becomes an evermore joyous "Alleluia".

This is an invitation to pray a novena with other CMAA members from Tuesday, February 22 through Wednesday, March 2 inclusive.

Do join in; even limited daily prayer (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Saint Cecilia pray for us) is welcome!

Attachments for both the spoken and chanted forms of the litany are provided.

He is risen! He is risen indeed!

As we bask in the glorious light of Jesus' resurrection and the afterglow of our musical successes during Holy Week, the liturgical calendar grounds us in the here and now of our duties. We realize the next set of major feasts and solemnities (Ascension, Pentecost, Trinity Sunday, Corpus Christi) plus First Communions, Confirmations, ordinations, and perhaps a procession or two begs our attention. And while the execution of our offerings are not the "sprint" of the Christmas Masses nor the "marathon" of the Sacred Triduum, it seems we don't have the time to prepare everything well.

As we work just as hard to make these jewels in the liturgical crown shine just as bright as the rest, let us continue to pray for each other. May we continue to produce a harvest of 30-, 60-, or 100-fold in our vineyards. May we continue to give glory to God and edification to the faithful. May we persevere to finish this race.

This is an invitation to pray a novena with other CMAA members from Friday, April 22 through Saturday, April 30 inclusive.

Do join in; even limited daily prayer (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Saint Cecilia pray for us) is welcome!

Attachments for both the spoken and chanted forms of the litany are provided.

The Northern Hemisphere has just observed the summer solstice. Nature now begins it slow, steady, inevitable march into less time with sunlight. It, like the Herald of the Word, must decrease so He can increase.

We enter another instance where the Gregorian calendar aids the liturgical calendar during this time of recommended prayer. This year, along with the Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist (with Ut queant laxis at the ready), there is also the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, each with their own appropriate litanies (the Litany of the Sacred Heart and the Litany of Loreto). Hopefully one does take advantage of these "boosts" to the novena.

Let us keep in mind those who have gathered for Colloquium XXXII. May their time together be fruitful. May their prayers unite with ours at this time.

This is an invitation to pray a novena with other CMAA members from Wednesday, June 22 through Thursday, June 30 inclusive.

Do join in; even limited daily prayer (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Saint Cecilia pray for us) is welcome!

Attachments for both the spoken and chanted forms of the litany are provided.