It is here--the last days of summer. Vacations (hopefully) have been taken. Schools are or will be in session. And, for many of us, our return to our vineyards is nearly at hand.

Resting and recuperating, dreaming and scheming, planning and preparing have occupied some of this time. Soon we will re-acquaint ourselves with familiar faces and new voices and the routine the liturgical calendar imposes upon us. (And to think the first major block of liturgical celebrations is "only" four months away.) Let us continue to pray for each other as we ready ourselves to "make a joyful noise unto the Lord".

This is an invitation to pray a novena with other CMAA members from Monday, August 22 through Tuesday, 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!"

(And also from two day lags in posting. I hope you started this month's novena without prompting.)

Fall is upon us in the Northern Hemisphere. Frost and early freezing hint at the arrival of winter. The harvest progresses.

We can say the same about our preparation. Between getting ready for now as well as later is a skill we almost do in our sleep. And before one realizes it, Advent will be upon us. Let us continue to pray for one another as well as our own endeavors.

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

From the "Litany of St. Cecilia":

O Eternal God, Who gave us, in the person of St. Cecilia, a powerful protectress, grant that after having faithfully passed our days like herself, in innocence and holiness, we may one day attain the land of beatitude, where in concert with her, we may praise You and bless You forevermore in eternity. Amen.

On this day in November, when the end of the liturgical year is in sight, where those in the United States will soon celebrate Thanksgiving, when final preparation for the Advent/Christmas/Epiphany season takes flight amongst all our other liturgical duties and obligations, we who "pray twice" find ourselves in need of more prayer. What better way than this litany this month, when, starting on the feast day of a church musician's main patroness, her intercession may prove more powerful.

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

CGZ, the rains and winds that were supposed to hit my city passed to the north and east of us. We only got a few sprinkles.

The time between the Baptism of the Lord and Ash Wednesday gives us an opportunity to bask in the afterglow of music well performed during the Advent/Christmas/Epiphany season and a chance to collect our collective breaths. With the beginning of Lent now a month away, our focus now turns to the next and perhaps most glorious gem in the crown of sacred music: our musical offerings for Lent/Triduum/Easter.

This is also a time when changes to the vineyards may be seen--perhaps in new members, possibly a new vinedresser, maybe in new music. We welcome these challenges as we strive to make "on earth as it is in heaven" the eternal Supper of the Lamb. As the liturgical year continues on its cycle, let us continue to pray for each other, that our musical offerings "may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father".

This is an invitation to pray a novena with other CMAA members from Sunday, January 22 through Monday, 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 have just passed the halfway point of Lent. By the end of this novena, Holy Week will be in sight. Our final preparations, our "road to Jerusalem", has begun.

With all apologies to the secular song, this is "the most wonderful time of the year" as a church musician. Now, more than ever, we are an intimate part of the liturgy. We appreciate the gravity of the moment and humbly strive to be worthy of it. May our musical contributions during "the week that changed the world" bring glory to God and be edifying to those who partake of these sacred mysteries at this time.

This is an invitation to pray a novena with other CMAA members from Wednesday, March 22 through Thursday, 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 now begun the final block of major liturgical celebrations. Once completed, the majority of us will have no responsibilities until the fall. We will, however, let the lesser pace of the following Sundays after Corpus Christi give us a bit of a respide.

Let us rejoice in what has been accomplished since last Labor Day. Perhaps you have more workers in your vineyard. Perhaps there has been a brick or two laid in implementing music closer to the ideal. Perhaps there is now a sense of normalcy after the mania known as COVID-19. All worthy reasons to smile and be glad. Let our prayers of supplication also be mixed with those of thanksgiving for the blessings received.

This is an invitation to pray a novena with other CMAA members from Monday, May 22 through Tuesday, 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 start of this month's novena coincides with the Feast of St. Mary Magdalene. I came across an article with expounded on what the Apostle to the Apostle say at the end of today's Gospel, "I have seen the Lord." I would like to put a little twist on the quote: "I have heard the Lord."

We as church musicians are, of course, heavily invested in the aural. We give of ourselves to elevate the dignity and reverence of the liturgy through the work of our hands and voices. And when we aim for "the glorification of God and the edification of the people," we are, in a sense, an "altus Magdalena". Let us pray our musical witness be as profound as hers.

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.

We are well into our routines. Another season of glorifying God and edifying the faithful with as much truth, beauty, and goodness as we can produce is upon us. December 3 seems so far away, yet it is in the back of our minds with every passing Sunday. This ever ancient, ever new tension between the here and now and the future is the balancing act all church musicians must successfully navigate.

Along with those who have returned, perhaps there is a new voice or two amongst us. Perhaps a new vinedresser has assumed responsibility for your vineyard. Perhaps a musical challenge awaits. As we prepare for our obligations in the coming weeks and months, let us pray for faithfulness in our vocation, that we who "pray twice" may give our best effort .

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.

I don't know if this would be the correct place to post this (since I am technically not even a member of the CMAA), but any prayers for the situation at the school where I teach would be very welcome, even if just a brief Hail Mary.

If any of your are feeling extremely generous, I have attached the Novenas to Saints Philomena and Cecilia, which I will be starting today.

Where did the time go? We were just celebrating Epiphany and now we're one week into Lent? Only for those who forgot to post the novena reminder last month did time fly.

Yet, here we are beginning the most critical six weeks of preparation in the liturgical calendar. Christendom's High Holy Days beckon at the end of March. The challenge is, as always, is to be ready. We as church musicians, professional or amateur, willing accept this opportunity to give glory to God with all our being. Let us continue to pray for each other as we "pray twice," fast from all unworthy musical offerings, and give of our time and musical talent.

This is an invitation to pray a novena with other CMAA members from Thursday, February 22 to Friday, March 1 inclusive.

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

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

He is risen! He is risen indeed!

(And I am late. I am late again.)

We are squarely in the middle of the Easter Season. The final block of major liturgies are on the horizon at the end of May. For many of us, this is the stretch drive of our duties for the year. While there was time to bask in the success of Holy Week, there is barely time to get ready for the Ascension/Pentecost/Holy Trinity/Corpus Christi celebrations (plus, perhaps, First Holy Communion and Confrimation masses and a Eucharistic procession).

But as Jesus will go up with a mighty sound, the Spirit will descend, our Triune God will be expounded, and the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed, we do know how to end this time on a high note (of your choice). Let us pray for each other as we move toward the finish line. May our joyful noises resonate throughout not only our churches, but outside them as well, proclaiming our worship, praise, and adoration to the world.

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

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

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

Yes, I know I'm late, but at least I picked a great date to post this month's reminder.

First of all, to those attending Colloquium XXXIV, welcome. I pray your week here brings you great joy, enjoyment, and grace. Please keep the membership of CMAA as well as all church musicians in your prayers, as will I.

Secondly, being the Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, we are reminded of the foundation of the solfege system with the singing of the hymn for the Divine Office/Liturgy of the Hours today, Ut Queant Laxis. It will be of great help as you perfect your music this week.

Finally, as we observe a more relaxed pace in our liturgical observances, we can look back on what we have accomplished and forward to what we would like to accomplish. While our vineyards will get the attention they need, we can also envision what we would like them to become. September will be here before we know it.

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

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

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

I have mentioned in other reminders the liturgical calendar merges with this novena in unexpected ways. I have commented the start of this month's novena coincides with the Memorial of the Queenship of the BVM. However, there are other feasts within the next nine days that merit some attention.

The 27th. is the Memorial of St. Monica, mother of St. Augustine. Her persistence in prayer, like the widow versus the unjust judge (Luke 18:1-8), should inspire us to persevere in both our private prayers and when we "pray twice". The 28th. is the Memorial of St. Augustine. One of the great conversion stories in the Church, this is a reminder of how our work can edify the hearts of believers and non-believers alike and move them toward true union with God. The 29th. is the Memorial of the Passion of St. John the Baptist. This should inspire us to continue our work in the face of both personal and professional adversity for the greater glory of God. As we ready ourselves for a new season of song, let us be reminded what we do is not in vain.

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

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

Attachments for 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!"

Ah, things which may frighten us. The only thing that should is "the loss of Heaven and the pains of Hell". As we the Church Militant approach the celebration of the other components of the Mystical Body of Christ (Christ the King, All Saints, All Souls) and reflect on the Four Last Things, the Bride of Christ reminds us "tempus fugit, memento mori". All we do in our own lives are to be "through Him, with Him, and in Him".

So it is in this vocation as well. In doing what we do as church musicians we aim to follow the Two Great Commandments via the instruction of "Tra La Sollecitudini". As we make our way to the end of the liturgical year and the celebrations of the first set of solemnities and feasts soon to come, may we be united in prayer for each other so God may prosper the work of our hands (and voices).

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

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

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

The end is in sight. The liturgical year, that is. With these final nine days, encompassing the Feast of St. Cecilia, the Solemnity of Christ the King (OF), Thanksgiving Day (USA), and the Feast of St. Andrew, the conclusion of this cycle draws nigh. Then, as time does march onward, the First Sunday of Advent rides on its coattails.

It is a time to gather our collective breaths, give thanks for the blessings musical and otherwise we have received form the hand of God, and begin the fine tuning of our offerings for the Advent/Christmas/Epiphany/Baptism of the Lord portion of the new worship year. It is a time to celebrate with sincere gratitude. Let there be joy in our praying twice, no matter the tone of the music we bring.

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

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

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