“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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Fr. Pontifex – Ocean
“Ocean” is the lead single off Fr. Pontifex’s body of work The Invincibles. “Safer in your waters than these shores is what you promise,” one of the lines from the piece encapsulates the intended takeaway by the listener. God may call us to the deep waters, to the unknown, and to a place that is not comfortable, but with that he promises his presence and grace. He walks with us and directs our steps.
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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.
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Holy, Holy, Holy
“Holy, Holy, Holy!” is a Christian hymn written by Reginald Heber (1783–1826), and performed in this video by Pat D’Angelo. Its lyrics speak specifically of the Holy Trinity, having been written for use on Trinity Sunday. It quotes the Sanctus of the Latin Mass, which translated into English begins “Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God of Hosts”. The text also paraphrases Isaiah 6:3 and Revelation 4:1–11. John Bacchus Dykes composed the tune Nicaea for this hymn in 1861. The tune name is a tribute to the First Council of Nicaea which formalized the doctrine of the Trinity in 325.
