“The bottom line is that I deeply miss you. I know you so well, I even know your pew. I know where you sit, very clothes and expressions, hearts full of expectation to absorb the lessons.”
“Empty Pews”, a spoken word piece performed by Fr. Pontifex, inspired by and written for his congregation.
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Salve Regina
Friar Gabriel skated for seven years as a teenager, with his focus gravitating towards one of a religious vocation as he matured. His passion for skateboarding waned with his surety to live a life of Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience as a Friar of the Immaculate. After securing the title of Friar, with much time passing since he last interacted with a skateboard, he was given obedience to visit a local skate park once a week, with the intent to “preach the gospel at all times,” as Saint Francis once stated. In Salve Regina, Friar Gabriel explains that God utilizes peoples’ talents to give Him glory, and how skateboarding has given a platform to the idea of exercising the body as well as the soul.
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Vive Jesus El Señor
Amanda Vernon is a recording artist who speaks to authentic beauty through music, the language of the soul. We were fortunate to have her share her talents on an original rendition of the classic hymn “Vive Jesus el Señor”. Translated into English as “Live Jesus, the Lord”, the song was composed by Belgian priest Fr. Lucas Casaert, a well-known missionary who has served in Bolivia for 50 years.
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Ave Maria
“Ave Maria” was originally set to music in 1826 by Franz Schubert. Written in Latin, this prayer is offered to “Hail, Mary, full of grace.” Recorded live at Mundelein Seminary, two seminarians offer Schubert’s “Ave Maria” as a holy prayer to the Virgin Mary.
