Clergy Notes — Reign of Christ the King, November 22, 2020

The Feast of St. Cecilia, reckoned among those martyred around 230, falls on November 22. The beautiful church of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, Rome, dating from the third century, is reputed to be built on the site of her home: her relics are now honoured there. Tradition has it that as the musicians played at her wedding, Cecilia “sang in her heart to the Lord;” accordingly, she has become the Patron of Music and Musicians.

Music speaks to heart and soul: lifting us up to the heights, then resonating with our sadness and sorrow; filling us with joy, expressing our lament.

Here at St. James’, where music so enhances our worship, we are no longer able to engage in congregational singing, and the choir is unable to gather and sing together. How we miss and long for it!

So many of you have told me how much you appreciate the Music Notes Gerald is publishing each week: we are grateful, Gerald, for your insight, and the inspiration these bring. We value too the musical offering in our Zoom and in-church worship.

So today then let us give thanks for the gift of music and the enrichment it brings to life; and let us give thanks and pray for all musicians, sacred and secular, remembering especially our organists, cantors and choir, and the Saint James Music Academy.

Every blessing,

Fr. Kevin